The Sabbath is a day of Renewal!

All my life I have grown up with the phrase, "the sabbath is the day of rest", because God rested on the seventh day of the Creation, and it is commanded that we keep the sabbath day holy. But I learned very quickly...that it is not a day of "rest" for missionaries...nope, none whatsoever! 

But that's okay! Because I didn't come on a mission to rest, I came on a mission to assist in the Lord's work! 

So Sister Schmoekel and I revamped the phrase to instead being a day of rest, it is a day of renewal! Because it's so true! We have the opportunity to go to church, partake of the sacrament, learn more about Jesus Christ and His doctrine, and come out feeling so spiritually edified! It truly lifts us up to be able to face this week with optimism and fire! 

Sister Schmoekel and I faced our usual ups and downs of the week, but together we endure through them all! It is actually quite amazing how much more I do and how much more I work because of her. Because I have to be accountable! I know that if I was on a mission alone, I would walk more, sleep more and teach with less power. 

And good thing too! Thursday was a really hard day for us- we had all our appointments of the day fall through, no one wanted to talk to us in the streets and none of the people we were teaching would text us back. It was pretty discouraging! BUT, I had a companion to talk to and Tillamook ice cream to eat, thank the heavens! 

Crazy part of the week!

After dinner, Sister Schmoekel and I start biking down the street to go visit a less active family in our ward, and we turn down a street. Sister Schmoekel pulls off onto the sidewalk and I thought she was looking up the specific address of the family. But instead, she starts fidgeting with her bike and ends up pulling the entire pedal off of her bike! I start hysterically laughing (because that just put the icing on the cake for how crazy of a day we'd had), and I whip out my camera, of course! So funny! 

The story ends well though: our fabulous ward mission leader (basically our dad haha), comes in his truck a few hours later and hauls off our bikes while his wife takes us home. The next morning we spent half an hour stressing over getting rides from members to different appointments, but we had our bikes back first thing in the morning! That, my friends, is why having a mechanic as a ward mission leader is IDEAL! 

This week we met a young teenager named Al. We started talking to her about prophets and gave her a pamphlet talking about the Restoration. She said we could come back on Saturday, and we didn't think too much of it because a good majority of the people that say we can come back end up cancelling the day before. But there seemed something different about her- she was really kind and genuine, and I had a lot of faith that she wouldn't. 

Anyways, she was really excited to see us on Saturday and we taught her the lesson of the Restoration. She soaked it up like a sponge! It was truly amazing to see how she has such a beautiful perspective on life- not taking any second for granted and loving the world and everything in it. She said she felt "warm and happy", when she read the pamphlet and said she already believed Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God. We invited her to be baptized and she said, "Yes...I will, no doubt in my mind." WHAT?! 

God is so good and truly prepares His children to meet us. Al was so sweet in her prayer, thanking God for putting us in her life, but I thank my Heavenly Father for putting her in ours! It's people like those that really lift me up to be a better missionary and to keep pushing! The Spirit was so strong in that lesson, confirming that everything we were teaching her was true. I still have so much to learn and so much to practice and read over and over again. But it's people like Al that give me the motivation to learn and practice more to prepare for the people we have yet to meet. 

I love this gospel and for the opportunity I have every day to share it! I am such a small piece in this bounteous work, and I feel so privileged and humbled to be apart of it. I love being here in Oregon and I know that this is where I am meant to be! There has never been a time where I have felt closer to my Father in Heaven and I thank Him every day for being physically, mentally and spiritually able to serve Him full-time. It is truly a glorious work. 

I think Alma 26: 16 explained what has gone through my mind this week perfectly:

"Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel."

All my love, 

Sister McCown 

Good things are happening in Lebanon, and it is truly a white field that is ready to be harvested!

Miracle of the Week:

We are currently trying to teach an older man named Michael, who for years has had a drinking problem. We met with him a few short times, committing him to stop drinking, but we would visit him the next day and he would admit to drinking just hours after we left. It was so sad, and to a degree, frustrating because we knew we couldn't really teach him until he was mentally aware and coherent enough. We taught him about the power of prayer one afternoon. The Spirit was so strong, and we gave Michael the solid promise that if we would say a prayer to God asking for strength every single time he felt tempted to drink, he would be given the power to give up his addiction once and for all. Yeah...super bold promise.  Anyways, we the next few days, he literally dropped off the face of the planet. Wouldn't answer his phone, wouldn't open the door. It was heartbreaking!

A few days later, we ended up getting a call from a member that was trying to befriend Michael, and he explained the situation to us. Michael had kept his commitment to pray and not drink, and because he stopped drinking cold turkey, he had a seizure and had to go to the hospital! It was crazy! Sister Schmoekel and I freaked out and visited him the next day. He was so physically tired, but we could see a massive difference in him mentally and spiritually. We began teaching him that day, and a few days ago we committed him to be baptized in October!

Struggle of the Week (because there always is!):   Satan is real. Don't think he is? Oh yeah...he is.

This week had its highs and lows in lessons. Sister Schmoekel and I have been teaching quite a bit, usually 3-4 lessons a week, and we've been crazy busy. The hard thing is that I am still a sparkling new missionary...which means that my knowledge is still pretty limited!  Satan worked hard on me this past week on the confidence I had in myself as a missionary. But guess what...the Atonement is REAL! After I got over myself with the help of my wonderful trainer, Sister Schmoekel, my desire and motivation to study and soak up the Book of Mormon has increased tenfold!

I know that the Atonement is real, that because Jesus Christ suffered for our every sin, temptation and weakness, not only can we know that there will always be someone who knows exactly what we're going through, but we can also know that because Christ endured through it, we can draw power from Him to endure through it ourselves! The gospel is just SO GOOD!

Testimony of the Week:  This is from my journal entry a few days ago-

"Today during companionship study, we discussed the role of the Holy Ghost in missionary work. Sister Schmoekel compared the Holy Ghost in our lives to a spectrum. Feeling the Spirit, having the companionship of the Spirit at baptism, relying on the Spirit and becoming one with the Spirit. I realized how I truly misunderstood the role of the Holy Ghost in our lives. I could most definitely feel the Holy Ghost before, but being on a mission now, I've come to realize how NECESSARY it is to rely on the Spirit for inspiration and guidance. There is NO way we could be doing God's work without the Spirit...it's just not possible! I love thinking about how in our companionship, it's never just the two of us (or at least, it shouldn't be). We're always in a trio: me, my companion and the Holy Ghost. As long as we're doing the things that we need to do and being worthy of the Holy Ghost, we will be guided to go where God needs us to go, say what God needs us to say and be who God needs us to be.  Isn't that amazing!

I am so thankful for this gospel and for the peace that I feel in knowing that I have come to know for myself that it is true. My gratitude for the Book of Mormon is growing exponentially and my devotion to this work increases alongside it.

God is so good! Thank you all for your support and love- it means more to me than words can describe!

God be with you till we meet again,

Sister McCown

Faith is like a seed..and mine is growing!!

Hello, hello! Anyone remember me? Yeah, I know, I've been gone for a while! Well I hope this jogs your memory, but this is Sister McCown, emailing from Lebanon, Oregon as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! How great is my calling? SO GREAT!

Another crazy week has come and gone, each week seeming to fly by quicker than the next. I've heard from so many that the farther you get into your mission, the quicker it goes. Man...if it's going this fast already, I'll be home before I even know it!  

This week we had zone conference and it was AMAZING! President and Sister Tateoka are truly inspired disciples of Christ and have prayerfully trained us to be better missionaries. We focused on using different tools (pamphlets, the Book of Mormon, various topics, inspired questions) to use in our lessons and when talking to strangers. It was so cool! It helped to put into perspective what I need to study more so that I can implement it more into my teaching! I can see how much more I rely on the Spirit when I teach as I'm getting more comfortable as a missionary. Never before would I purposefully cross a street and block someone's path so that I could talk to them about the Church of Jesus Christ. Hah! Crazy how life happens like that.  Anyways, my favorite part of zone conference was probably the testimony meetings at the end. Since it is already the end of the transfer (let that sink in for a second...the first transfer of my mission is almost complete...what?!), many of the missionaries in my zone that go home after this transfer bore their testimonies. All of them bore testimony of how fast their mission flew by and how much they changed as a person. For me, it really put into perspective how much I need to embrace the time I have and to work as hard as I can while I can! Never again in my life will I be able to serve the Lord for 18 months of my life as a sister missionary. I can't waste time, I can't be lazy! I need to WORK! That's what I signed up for when I accepted my call!

Miracle of the week: 

We've currently been teaching a woman named Amanda, a single mom who works strange hours. We've only met her once with a member, and we invited her to church, but she said she was going to go to a different church with her sister. But on Sunday morning, she asked what time we had church. We started freaking out, and within a half hour before church, we did everything we could to get her there (ex. Offering to drive with her, waiting for her outside, calling her), but to no avail. We were so sad, but when we got to church, we went straight in because we were meeting a less active named Kaylee that we were teaching there. We were so excited and grateful that Kaylee had come, but still let down about Amanda. During sacrament meeting, though, I got the district impression to turn around. I was a little hesitant because my companion, Kaylee and I were sitting in the front of the chapel, but my curiosity got the best of me. I looked over my shoulder...AND I SAW AMANDA! She was sitting next to the member that she met at our lesson earlier that week. I leaned over and told my companion and for several seconds we were both screaming internally with joy.

So yeah...miracles are real, and God is so good! 

Testimony of the Week:

I don't think many quite fully comprehend this (and definitely me included), but did you know that when you are baptized and confirmed by the proper priesthood of God, you have a member of the Godhead with you as long as you are living righteously? Let me emphasize- member of the Godhead! Anyone else find that fascinating, or just me? I think it is so beyond amazing that we can feel the Holy Ghost in our lives- to testify of truth and give us feelings of peace and comfort in our lives. The roles of the Holy Ghost are practically endless!

When I can see my testimony grow, it's those moments when the gospel becomes alive to me. When I see doctrines and principles weaving throughout my life, in every moment of every day. Things I used to do without even thinking are now seen in a new perspective. The way I think, now changed forever. How I act and how I testify is continually altering due to my growing knowledge and testimony of the gospel. It is truly amazing! 

I know that this church is true, and every day my gratitude grows for it. There are so many blessings I receive and witness every day, blessings I don't deserve! God is so good, and He blesses us so much! We are continually promised in the Book of Mormon that as we live Gods commandments and follow Him, we will prosper and receive blessings. I know this is true, because I've seen it in my life.

I love this work and for the opportunity and privilege I have every day to share it. I am so thankful for each and every one of you, and your support means more to me than you can imagine!

God be with you till we meet again,

Sister McCown

The "Missionary Ninjas" Strike Again!

Hello, hello! Holy cow, has another week seriously already gone by?!  Crazy how time on the mission just seems so out of whack! Anyways, just wanted to tell all you a few experiences I've had within the past 7ish days. So great! 

So to explain the above email title, my companion and I were given that nickname by a less active that we are currently teaching. He and his wife are both members, and we've been meeting with them once a week for about two weeks now. They are so cool! They told us of experiences they've had in the past (not all good ones), and so we were a little nervous about coming back. But it's all good! We can tell they really like us coming over and teaching them.

We were given the nickname of "missionary ninjas" after our lesson with him this past week. Apparently, he was used to missionaries just giving the lessons and leaving. But we don't do JUST that! We taught them about temple marriage and the importance of eternal families. BUT, before we ended the lesson, we asked him that next week during our lesson, not only would we be teaching him a principle, but that HE was going to be teaching US a principle. He was shocked, as expected. "I have to teach? You girls are ninjas!" It was so funny! He wasn't used to getting commitments from missionaries, but not anymore!

Something that has been a pretty rough adjustment for me as a missionary is never getting texted back. We probably send dozens of texts each day, whether it be members, less actives, or people we just met and trying to set up a return appointment with. And how many text us back? Easily less than 10. It is so frustrating!  But...MIRACLE! We met this super cool guy named Nick last week, who has had a lot of connections with the church because he has had LDS friends when he was a kid, and even has had read part of the Book of Mormon before. He was super open and willing to meet with us again. We got his number, and a few days later texted him to set a time for our appointment with him on Tuesday. And not even ten minutes later...HE TEXTED US BACK!!!! Sister Schmoekel and I were literally jumping on our seats from the excitement! It was so cool! We even texted him this morning to ask if we could meet him at a park down the street, and not even fifteen minutes later...HE AGAIN TEXTED US BACK!!! GOLDEN person to teach right there!😂

So that was the #1 miracle of the week...now for the #1 spiritual experience of the week (cause what kind of missionary wouldn't include that in their weekly email!)  On Saturday night, we had dinner over at a members house, and decided to teach the Plan of Salvation to them, with a focus on the Savior and His role in the Plan. It was so cool to see how Christ plays the essential role in the Plan, and how He can be seen all throughout.  For example, He created the earth and volunteered to be our Savior in the Premortal Realm. Jesus Christ Himself came to the earth and we learn about His ministry and Atonement from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Without the Atonement, the Plan could not be possible! Because of Christ, we can all be resurrected and have perfect bodies. At the Judgement Day, Christ will be our Advocate. Because He suffered for each and every one of us- all our pains, all our temptations, all our weaknesses- He knows us! He fights for us and can give us grace- the enabling power of the Atonement that can enable us to dwell in God's presence. We need that mercy! It is essential that we work as hard as we can to live all of God's commandments so that we can be gifted with that grace. We will never deserve grace and mercy. But we've been promised grace, as long as we follow Christ and keep His commandments.

The lesson at that member's house was so powerful. The Spirit that I felt in their home was indistinguishable. Before then, I didn't realize how different it felt to be in a member's home when teaching a lesson, and now I do. It makes me want to work to have that kind of home too when I have a family. A home where the Spirit can be present at all times. I am so thankful for this gospel and for the Spirit that I can constantly feel in my life, as long as I am worthy of the Spirit. It has made all the difference in missionary work, and I never want to be without the Spirit.

To feel God's love for me is the most amazing feeling. It's something I desperately want to help others to experience. Because I know that even if others can taste God's love for them, they will have the desire to have it constantly and more abundantly in their lives. Isn't that just amazing?!  

I am constantly in awe of how perfect this gospel is...and of course it is! This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, so why wouldn't it be? 

I love you all, and you have no idea what your support means to me!

God be with you till we meet again,

Sister McCown