Missionary Work

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

President Thomas S. Monson has said: “We take most seriously the Savior’s mandate … , ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’” “This … cause … will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives. … No force in the entire world can stop the work of God.”

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

D&C 58:64
For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe.

I just wanted to share a story from L. Tom Perry from the missionary broadcast:
"Many of our children are interested in the popular sport of soccer. They rapidly learn to kick a ball through the net, scores a point. At first they don't understand the fine points of the game. They have the same goal: to score a point, yet they're not well organized. They just converge on the ball in mass. In missionary work, many of us fall into the same category. We think we see and understand the ultimate goal, yet we do not see our purpose in it. We do not see the position, so to speak, that we are to play. Ours is the lack of understanding, not desire."

As stated in the Preach My Gospel manual, "Your purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."

Obviously that not only applies to missionaries, but to members of the church as well.

In April conference of this year, Elder Neil L. Anderson said, "If you’re not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart—painted, as Paul said, “not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.” And returned missionaries, find your old missionary tag. Don’t wear it, but put it where you can see it. The Lord needs you now more than ever to be an instrument in His hands. All of us have a contribution to make to this miracle."

 I have been reading this book called The Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton M. Christensen. The First Chapter is called We Cannot Predict and We Cannot Judge. He talks about how the missionaries came to their home and gave them a chart. They were to make a list of people to share the gospel with. They were to start at the top of their list and prepare them through a 12 step process. They were to invite them over for dinner, and then go to a cultural event together. The sixth, seventh, and 8th steps were to invite them to church, give them a copy of the Book of Mormon, and ask them to take the missionary discussions. The twelfth step was baptism.

The top of their list was Ken and Suzy Gray. They would be the "ideal Mormons". They began to build a friendship with them and invite them over to dinner. They ended up building a great friendship, going to each other's houses for dinner, and doing different things with them. That was exactly what the missionaries said would happen, but sharing the gospel seemed to be a "big job" for them. They were already busy with their callings as Young Men and Young Women leaders in the ward.

They got to the 6th step and invited the Gray's to church. They gray's accepted because Clay and Christine were speaking in sacrament meeting. They had lunch after church, then he offered the Gray's a book of Mormon. Ken replied, "Thanks, but no thanks, we were both raised in the Episcopalian church, and we've really enjoyed attending the Church of England while we've been here."

They were so disappointed, but they followed the instructions given by the missionaries, that if they weren't interested to move on to the next person on the list.

They invited the Bailey's, who was the next couple on the list, to dinner. They followed the same process, and by the sixth step, the Bailey's declined the offer to come to church.

He moved on to the next couple on the list, but one by one, however, everybody who they thought might be interested in the gospel declined the invitation once they got to step six through eight. After spending a lot of time and work, they took the chart off their fridge. They just concluded that they weren't cut out to be member missionaries.

New missionaries were transferred to their ward. The missionaries, not knowing anything of the situation came into their home and unfolded the same chart and asked them to make the same list. The Christensen's told the missionaries that they had tried it before, that it took a lot of time and didn't work.

 

The missionaries pleaded with them saying, "Don't you have anyone we can visit?" They gave the missionaries the names of the people that they had excluded from their initial list. One of the families were the Taylors. They told the elders that they could knock on the Taylor's door, but it would be a waste of time. The husband had bad feelings about any organized religion of any kind. He was a tough rugby player, and he loved his daily pints of Guinness Ale.

The Elder's returned back about an hour later Jubilant. The Taylors had invited them in, listened to the first discussion, and invited them over for the second. The Christensen's became good friends with the Taylor's as they studied missionary discussions together which they never imaged would happen.

They learned from that experience that you can't simply know in advance who will be interested in hearing the gospel.

In 1 Sam 16:7 it reads "For the Lord Seeth not as a man Seeth; for the man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

 The only way that people will have the opportunity to choose or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ is for us, without judgment, to invite them to follow the Savior.

For relief society in my ward in Cedar City, we did a Book Of Mormon challenge every week. The challenge was that a girl would take a book of Mormon, give it to someone throughout the week, and report on it the next Sunday. Well, one Sunday I raised my hand and accepted the challenge. I just wanted to share with you my experience that I had written down.

At first I didn't know what I got myself into. It was way out of my comfort zone. Most of the people that I knew in Cedar City were in my ward. It required A LOT of prayer. For the first couple of days, nobody came to mind. About the third day in, I had a thought to give it to a girl at my work. I didn't know why I had that feeling. I just started the job, so I didn't know any of them very well. I only worked with three people and none of them were LDS. I didn't want to be hated, and I didn't want work to be awkward, so I kind of just brushed off that feeling.. A couple of more days went by. Friday came and I was panicking.  I only had two more days to give the book of Mormon to somebody and I had nobody to give it to. I prayed about it once again, and I still got this undeniable feeling that I needed to give it to this girl that I worked with.

Then, the stupid little thought came to me, "How are you going to go about giving it to her? You can't just say, here's a Book of Mormon. Ok, bye." I was honestly so nervous and terrified to give it to her. Saturday came and it was my last day to give her the Book of Mormon.. It still didn't know how  I was going to give it to her and I was freaking out... It was about mid-afternoon Saturday when I got a text from her asking me if I would work for her that night. She wanted to spend time with her husband because he was home and she didn't get to spend very much time with him.

I told her no because I had never been trained to close and I could never do it by myself....I really felt bad, though. There were a few Sundays that she took my shift so that I could go to church because she knew it was important to me, but I couldn't work for her so she could do something important to her.

Then....I got the strongest impression to just go in, off the clock, and help her close. That way I could learn how to close, and since there was two of us, she would get off earlier so she could spend a little time with her husband.

Right before I left I prayed that I would have the strength to give her the Book of Mormon and that I would know what to say. I quickly wrote my testimony of the Atonement and Eternal Families in the Book of Mormon and went to work. When I got there, she was so thankful that I was there. We both worked hard and got out quick.

When we were leaving, I just ran to my car and grabbed the Book of Mormon. I gave it to her and just bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and the comfort that it gives me. She thanked me for helping her out, and she also thanked me for being willing to share with her something that was important to me.

 

It wasn't awkward at all. By involving the Lord, I was able to give her this Book of Mormon. I moved to Logan with very short notice after that, so I didn't get a chance to check with her...but If nothing else, I was given the opportunity to serve her, as well as share my testimony of the gospel with her.

In the Preach My Gospel it says, "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase."

So I guess I just wanted to end with my testimony that I do have a testimony of the Atonement. I know that Christ died for us because He loves us. Because of the Atonement we can be comforted, we can repent, and we can be forgiven. I can't wait to go tell the people of Chicago just that. I know this gospel is true! I know the Book of Mormon is true. It gives me so much comfort and direction when I read it. I have a testimony of our prophet Thomas S. Monson. I know that he is a prophet of God. I know that if we listen to him that we won't regret it, and our lives will be blessed. I just wanted to leave you with these things, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Illinois Chiciago West Mission!

Dear Sister Frisbie,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Illinois Chicago West mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You will report to the Mexico MTC on August 21st and you will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

I know, I'm a slacker. I should've posted this a month ago! I have been so busy, though. I wasn't expecting to leave six weeks after I got my call. I was expecting October or September at the earliest. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful and I know it's in the Lord's timing and will, I just have been really busy getting everything done.

I leave in a week from now, and I'm ready to go! I'm ready to go serve and give up 18 months to the Lord! (:

IT'S ASSIGNED!

After I met with the Stake President, I text my Bishop. This is our conversation:
Me: You better tell me when my call is assigned. K? (:

Bishop Shaffer: On one condition you tell me the same day you get the call, deal?
Me: Got it.

Thursday...
Me: I'm waiting for a text from you telling me that my call is assigned today...because I really can't wait! Haha. (:

Bishop: It is ready for processing now, I will look later. I promise I will let you know.

Me: Ok. (: Sorry I'm so annoying...I'm just really happy

Bishop: Not annoying just normal.

I didn't get anther text from him Thursday telling me that my call was assigned. I wanted to so badly text him and ask him, but he promised he would tell me. I got the strength to not text him and to just be patient. (: 

Friday morning 8:30....

Bishop: Melanie, your call was assigned today!!! Probably get a letter wed or maybe thurs

Oh, my goodness! I am so happy. That was seriously the best text to wake up to. I'm so glad that this process is going really fast. I think God decided to give this impatient person some slack for once. (: I can't wait to get my call! 

THE PAPERS ARE IN!

I had such a great interview with President Godfrey (stake president) yesterday. I told him my story of how and why I decided to go on a mission. I told him that I still don't know what I wanted to do with my life or what I want to go into for school, but I knew that I was supposed to go on a mission. He told me that it will be surprising to me how much clarity I will get on my mission. That it will be so clear to me of what I'm supposed to do.

That was seriously so great to hear. Even though I know I'm supposed to go on a mission, I was a little worried because I didn't want  to wait another two years to go to school. He kind of put my mind at ease. This is what the Lord has planned for me, and everything will work out. (:

I won't go into too much detail about my interview but I just wanted to share one more thing. When I was getting ready to leave I was waiting for him to go in front of me to open the door (because that's what they usually do). He told me, "I want YOU to touch the knob and open the door. As soon as you leave this room, DON'T EVER look back." 

 I felt the spirit so strong. That feeling was just another confirmation that I needed to go on a mission. This feeling, and the feeling that I got when I decided to go on a mission, are the feelings that I need to remember when Satan puts doubt in my mind, or when things get hard on my mission. (:

President Godfrey told me that since everything looked great, that I could get my called assigned by Thursday, and I could get it by next week. WHAT?! Oh, my goodness. I hope that's the case. I don't think that he knows who he is talking to though because I'm the most impatient person ever. If it doesn't come next week, I don't know if I'll make it another week. Haha. I'm seriously so anxious for it to get here. (: 

One Step Closer!

I really like this dentist that my bishop referred me to. He has been so nice to me. I decided that I wanted him to finish my dental along with treating my TMJ because I really trust him a lot. I've prayed about it and I feel good about that decision.

I went in for my dental appointment yesterday. He told me that my mouth was opening wider and that he was really happy about that. He also told me that he was going to sign the papers and send them off to the bishop. That way we can figure out when I'm leaving, and then he can finish my dental work right before I leave so we can give my jaw time to heal. He didn't even charge me for the dental appointment.

This was seriously an answer to my prayers. I'm so thankful for a loving bishop who cares and who took the time to find somebody who would help me. I'm thankful for doctors who actually are there to help. Most importantly, I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father.

After much faith, patience, fasting, and prayer, things are finally starting to come together. I know that He knows me and that there was a reason for this delay. I know that I'm going to have the most amazing experience of my life, and I can't wait!

Answer to my Prayers

I decided that I wasn't going to see the oral surgeon anymore because it just wasn't working out with my schedule. There were a few other people that I was referred to, so I decided to call them all to see what they could do for me.

I called all of the oral surgeons offices and they all told me that they couldn't work with me and that I would only come in their if I needed surgery. They referred me to a couple of TMJ specialist in Utah. I did some research of both of the specialists online and decided to give them a call.

I called them just to ask a couple of questions before I set up an appointment. I wanted to make sure that they were the right person to see because I was sick of "trying" ever doctor. Both of the offices told me that it was going to be $130 for a consultation. What?!? I was also told that it would be more money if they did x-rays. If they did all of that plus the treatment that they wanted to do the first day, then it would've costed $1,100. They estimated that it would take 6 months to a year. If it took a year, then I could being paying up to $8,000. That's a mission, a car, or school. Why would I pay $8,000 for my jaw?

At this point I was just beyond confused. I didn't know who to see. I didn't want it to take me a year before I could even put my papers in. There was a lot of prayer involved. I talked with my parents and none of us even knew what to do.

I talked to my friend who works for a chiropractor. She had referred me to him when I first started having problems, and I decided I might give him a try. She told me that with all of the treatments it would be about $800. That's way more affordable than $8,000. It was way more convenient as well because the office is right by where I live.

I had a couple of appointments with him. They helped a little. I wasn't expecting change right away. I knew that it was a process, but I just wanted it to work. It's the most frustrating thing not knowing if something it going to work. It's annoying not knowing if my jaw is ever going to find relief.

I got a text from my bishop one day. It said "Hey, I have some good news for you. Come by my office tonight if you have time." I love exciting news, so I went to his office that night.

He told me that he went to his dentist appointment that day and asked his dentist if he knew anybody that treated TMJ that could sit down with me and talk about my options without me having to pay $130 for just a consultation. His doctor said that he treated TMJ and that he could talk to me about it. My bishop asked him to estimate how much it would cost to treat it, and the dentist said that he would do it for free.

When my bishop told me that I just wanted to cry. It was definitely an answer to my prayers. I had been so worried about money. This news was such a relief. I am also glad that he is a dentist because he will be able to finish my dental. It gives me so much comfort to know that he will know what's going on with my jaw when he's finishing my dental so that we won't cause anymore problems.

I'm so thankful for answers to my prayers. I know that He listens and that He answers my prayers. He knows what's best for me. Sometimes it's easy to get frustrated and to lose sight of the bigger picture, but I know that the Lord loves me and knows what's best for me. I know that if I have faith that everything is going to work out. I know that this isn't the end of my trials, and that I'm still going to need to have faith and patience. I've become so much stronger through all of these trials, and I'm thankful for them.

Faith and Patience

I went with what the oral surgeon told me, and I tried the no chew diet. I was about a week into it and I wasn't getting any relief at all. That one week was terrible enough. I was starving. I was supposed to be on it for four weeks, but I just knew that something else needed to be done. It wasn't the muscles that were tensing up, it's the disc that's out of place. I called the office to see if we could just get another appointment to talk and see what our other options were and to see if I needed to get an MRI. They agreed so I scheduled the appointment

I got the days requested off from work everything was good to go. Usually I can't get mutual days off work from both jobs, so this was great. I was anticipating the day of my appointment for a week or so because I just finally wanted to get a confirmation of what we were going to do to fix it.

I was on my way to Spanish Fork when I decided to stop at the Provo Town Centre because I wanted to look at a couple of things. I was pretty early, so I figured it would just do that before my appointment. When I parked in the parking lot I checked my phone. I had a missed call from about ten minutes before I got there. The number was an 801 number, so I called them back. It was the oral surgeons office.

They told me that they were going to have to cancel my appointment because the doctor threw out his back the day before and wouldn't be in. I was upset. Why didn't they call me that morning? They knew I lived in Logan and that I worked two jobs. Not only did I lose money by taking days off of work, I wasted a lot of gas money driving down to Provo for nothing.

I wasn't only mad that I wasted money, I was mad that I was going to have to wait to figure out my TMJ issue. We were trying to figure out my schedule and their schedule to see when they could get me in. Nothing was working out. Either I was working or they were closed. The earliest convenient time they could get me in was at least a month away. My mouth can't wait that long!

I called my mom and just started bawling and yelling because I just didn't know what to do. I love my mom so much. She is so patient and she always listens. Her advice has always been to pray and to have faith. She has the most faith of anybody I know. She has been through so much. I had to take a step back and think. My mom has had to deal with these kind of doctor problems for years. She never lets it get to her. My mom is such an example.

When I got all of those blessings saying that I needed to have faith and patience in the Lord's timing and will, I didn't imagine anything like this. I just need to keep telling myself that the Lord is preparing people for me that just aren't ready yet, and that I'm going to have the most amazing experience ever. I know that everything will be okay. I have faith. (: