Half way there...livin' on a prayer!

Hello, world! I hope everyone had a fantabulous week!!

So on Wednesday, I hit my half-way mark of the mission...WHAT?!?! 

I can't even fathom that nine months ago, I was in the MTC. In a way, it feels like forever ago as if I had been a missionary for my entire life, and in another way, I still feel like I just came out to the mission field. 

All in all, I have loved my mission so far. The experiences that I have had are irreplaceable. It is hard to be on a mission...so hard- physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. I miss what is back home and there are times where I miss being a normal person, but I wouldn't give up being a missionary! I love it too much out here- I've never learned so much in my life in such a short amount of time. I've never learned so much about the gospel and my Savior, others that we meet, and even myself. I've never felt so strong and ready for what lies ahead, and I've never felt so tired and inadequate at times. I've never felt so prepared for the challenges I have yet to face, and I've never felt so daunted at times by the questions marks looming over my future. 

I have experienced so many emotions on opposite sides of the spectrum, but it gives me comfort to know that the negative emotions are only felt..."at times"! 

I love what I have experienced on my mission so far and I am even more excited to see what I have yet to experience! 

BIG NEWS: 

I'm in a new area with a new companion! It's been a super crazy week with transfers, but it's also been really good!

I am now in Forest Grove, which is only about 45 minutes north of where I was before. I've actually been here in Forest Grove three times before, so I already knew the area a little bit. 

I've also met before the Sisters that I'm with now, so it was pretty exciting to get the call last weekend that I would be coming here.

My new companion is Sister Leifson and she is from southern Utah! She's only been out for a transfer, so it's been really fun to work with her. We work well together and we've had a good number of lessons this past week to practice teaching together.  

We live in an apartment with two other sisters, Sister Anderson and Sister Child, and we have a ton of fun together! We share a car between the two of our areas, so we see each other pretty consistently throughout the day. 

Sister Leifson and I have seen so many miracles this past week- two of which were people that we came into contact with!

One was a girl named Ashley that we met on the street. When we started talking to her, she mistook us for missionaries of another religion and instantly said, "no thanks, I already have a Bible". Many conversations go like this when people turn us away because they already practice another religion, but as we tried to continue the conversation, we introduced ourselves as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She instantly became curious and asked where our church building was. 

It was amazing to see her entire countenance change as we showed her The Book of Mormon and began to explain what it was about. 

She thought it was really cool how it taught many of the same things as the Bible but with different characters and stories. The Spirit was so strong during that conversation as she flipped through it even before we left. We texted her the next night and she had already read 17 chapters! 

Sister Leifson and I were absolutely blown away and we set up a lesson with her for this week (she plans to finish the Book of Mormon before we visit her on Thursday!). 

Another miracle we saw together was Aurora! Aurora referred herself by going on the church website to get into contact with us. She is amazing!

She's been learning about the gospel since middle school and just received permission to meet with the missionaries. 

Her knowledge and testimony of the gospel was so bright! She asked good questions that allowed the Spirit to overflow the room. We also had a young couple there that put the icing on the cake- the husband was a recent convert of a year and he was able to relate to Aurora a lot. 

I'm so thankful for the gospel and I am so thankful for each of you! Keep shining and keep being you! 

I love each of you and I hope you have a great week! I would love to get a letter from anyone! :)

Sister McCown 

This week's phrase: "...and now we run"

Hello everyone and happy Monday!

Man, has this week been...absolutely INSANE! Oh my goodness, I can't even relate fully how crazy it is, especially since my time to email pretty limited today. 

This past week with transfers, preparing for and conducting a baptism, and every appointment in between, we have literally been running from place to place. 

To explain the subject headline: Many times after we get out of an appointment or get done contacting someone, I would check my watch, realize we were either late or going to be right on time, and then say,"...and now we run!" 

We probably looked funny to others as we were quite literally running to our car...

Anyways!!

First off, thank you to everyones birthday wishes! Especially to those who sent videos, it made my entire day and I was smiling from ear to ear as I watched those! Thank you tons, it means more to me than you'll ever know! 

Secondly...Sariah was baptized! 

We met with her again this past week before her baptism and taught her about missionary work. We even gave Sariah her very own nametag, just like ours, and had a little practice in her teaching someone about the gospel! We pretended to be her friends at school and she told us about church and what she does. It warmed my heart to hear her explain really well what the sacrament was...she's going to be a GREAT missionary!! 

It was a wonderful program and so much of the ward was there to support her- the room was practically filled! It was beautiful and the Spirit was so strong throughout the program! In the program, there were music, prayers, as well as talks about the significance of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Sariah was bouncing into the building, and the smile never left her face during the entire program, baptism and all that happened afterward. She said she was nervous because there were going to be a lot of people watching her, but we told her to focus on how she felt. Afterwards, we talked to her and she told us of how clean and happy she felt. 

During the program, we and the young women in the ward gave Sariah her very own hardcopy of the Book of Mormon with her name engraved on it. She was glowing! 

Sariah's mom (someone we are trying to teach and help make the steps towards baptism) talked to us after the baptism and how she felt about it. We could tell throughout the program that she felt the Spirit. Later, she texted us, thanking us again for all that we did and said, "maybe one day I will be able to get baptized". We flipped when we read that because previously she wasn't willing to make the time for it in her life. She has a desire...and that is definitely a start!

Another exciting thing that happened on Saturday was that I finished the Book of Mormon again! It was amazing to be able to read it again this year and see what kinds of things stood out to be this time around than in previous readings. 

I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon and for all the many things I can learn from it. This time when I read the Book of Mormon, I highlighted scriptures according to the lessons we teach as missionaries: The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Plan of Salvation and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Being able to read it with that perspective made me realize how much the Plan of Salvation, and specifically the Atonement of Jesus Christ, is taught. Even though these three lessons are very interconnected, the Plan of Salvation was taught most consistently, because it is centered on the love our Heavenly Father has for us, as well as the sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. 

I have learned so much about the Plan of Salvation these past three months, especially in how it can apply to me. Sometimes I find it hard to relate to the hardships people go through, because I haven't experienced the same things they have. But because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I don't have to completely understand, because He does! He knows how to best help others and the situations they go through, because He already experienced it, and according to our faithfulness, obedience and humility, we can receive the direction we need to help others. 

No matter all the miracles that we have seen, and the many others that I didn't mention, every week comes with its challenges and struggles. Because of all the things that have been happening, I've been having a lot more stress and anxiety. My mind has been running a million beats a minute, which became pretty overwhelming and at times, made me super impatient. 

But I can testify, that Heavenly Father is aware of me, and is aware of each and every one of you! 

When I was having a really hard evening, we met and talked to a guy named Van. We ended up talking to him for almost 20 minutes about the positivity he was able to maintain in his life despite the challenges he had faced. I felt like I had been lifted up after that conversation with him! Even though he wasn't ultimately interested in our message, I felt the Spirit as we talked to him and I knew he felt the Spirit as well. 

I know that was Heavenly Father's tender mercy that allowed me to work hard the rest of that day when I had no strength to. Many of the answers to the prayers I have are received because of other people and I am so thankful for that. 

Another piece of crazy news: I am leaving Amity!!

I'm being transferred! Tomorrow I will be going to Forest Grove in the Council Creek Ward! I'm so excited for this new opportunity with so many new things ahead- a new companion, a new apartment, so many new people I have yet to meet!

I have to run so that I can go finish packing and saying goodbye, but I love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Sister McCown 

If you don't like the weather in Oregon...wait 10 minutes!

Oregon seriously has the weirdest weather that just can't make up it's mind on what season it wants to be. 

One day we woke up and it was snowing as we were running. By lunchtime it was sunny and windy (which makes it really hard to decide whether or not to wear a coat). The clouds started rolling in as we walked and tracted and during dinner it was pouring rain! 

Other than the crazy weather, it's been a crazy week! 

Much of it is due to preparing for Sariah's baptism on Saturday, as well as trying to work with those we have met recently met. 

We've talked to a lot of really interesting people this past week. Conversations that are just peculiar stick out to me because there were some who, instead of opening the door, talked to us through their window, or talked to us through the closed door. It was odd, but made for some laughs and fun moments to remember. 

We also had zone conference this past week and it was amazing! I had the opportunity to accompany my Sister Training Leaders on the piano while they sang the musical number, "Abide with Me, 'Tis Eventide" and it was really fun! 

During zone conference we talked a lot about bringing the Spirit more into the Lords work- in lessons, everyday conversations with those on the streets, with members, planning and every moment in between! 

I learned a lot about having gratitude and being more submissive to receive revelation, which is ALWAYS something I need to work on! 

One of the main things I took away from zone conference was the need to slow down! I need to take my time when I teach and testify, so that I can allow the Spirit to have enough time to confirm in the hearts of those we teach of the truthfulness of our message. I also need to give the Spirit time to put into my heart the words I need to say! The Spirit really is the real teacher in any situation of the gospel, and I want to be better at yielding to the Spirit and its every promoting. 

As I'm nearing the end of the Book of Mormon again, this week I've read a lot about the teachings straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. I'm so grateful for the chapters we have in the Book of Mormon where Christ visits the people in the Americas in His resurrected form, and He is able to teach them so much about how to be more obedient disciples of Jesus Christ. 

One day, I was reading in 3 Nephi 27 where Christ reveals to His disciples that the church needs to be called by His name. It reminded me of the recent announcement of the Church that we will no longer be referring to ourselves as "LDS" or "Mormon". 

The more I thought about it, the more grateful I was for the inspiration of the Prophet and Apostles in making this adjustment. The changes that have been made consequently truly are preparing us for the Second Coming! If we call ourselves "LDS" or "Mormon", we are literally taking the name of Jesus Christ out! We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and calling ourselves by that name is helping us to keep our covenants more abundantly. Part of our promise at baptism is to take the name of Jesus Christ upon us, and we do that by not referring to ourselves as "LDS" or "Mormon"! 

My mind was blown during this scripture study, especially since the commandment to call the Church by His name is straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. It not only made me more grateful for the Book of Mormon, but also for the Prophet and Apostles. They truly are men inspired of God and it strengthened my testimony of their role in helping us to be stronger covenant-keepers. 

I am so thankful for the gospel and all the blessings that await us according to our faithfulness and obedience! This truly is the Church of Jesus Christ and I am so thankful to not only be apart of it, but to also have the opportunity to share my testimony of it every day. 

I love this gospel and I am so thankful for each of you. Have a wonderful week! 

All my love,

Sister McCown 

Every week has its peaks and valleys

Good afternoon, everyone, and happy March!

This week has been crazy, with so many changes in everything!

For one, the weather has just been insane. One day it was raining, the next day snowing, and yesterday it was sunny, but super windy and cold. I don't know if Oregon just can't make up its mind on what season it wants to be, because I also can't make wardrobe decisions because it's always changing!

The work in Amity and Oregon has been changing just as much as the weather, surprisingly. In the span of 24 hours this past week, 5 people contacted us and told them to not come over again and that they weren't interested. Man...that hurt.

It was hard to stop teaching so many people that you've grown to love and worked so hard to progress in the gospel.

But I also know that when one door closes, another one opens.

Heavenly Father knows that those people aren't quite yet prepared to receive the restored gospel yet, and I pray that they will meet missionaries again when they reach that point in their lives. Heavenly Father also knows who is prepared in this area and I know that He is leading us to them as we exercise our faith. One afternoon we tracted in a neighborhood and within a couple hours, 4 people said we could come back!

God truly is so good and is helping us to do His work in this area!

I also had the wonderful opportunity to go on exchanges this past week, with once again Sister Anderson! Man, I love her! She is such a good missionary and a huge inspiration to me!

We had a good time in Forest Grove and talked a lot about the struggles missionaries often experience throughout their missions. She helped me so much in keeping an eternal perspective and the importance of trying to see the whole picture.

Sometimes I can get discouraged when things don't turn out how I plan them to, but I know that exercising faith is relying on the plan Heavenly Father has for us, and trusting in it! Above all, He knows all things and He knows what we need, even if it's not necessarily what we want.

I often compare it to embroidery.

From beneath the piece of embroidery, it is insanely messy and seemingly miscombobulated. Nothing seems to make sense from the perspective of beneath. But above the embroidery, it looks beautiful! The embroiderer knows exactly which stitch needs to go where to make the whole picture, even if beneath it does not seem so.

That analogy helps me SO much in reminding me of trusting in Heavenly Father's will. We are literally beneath the embroidery and we may not understand some of the things He does. But we also don't have to! Only He is all-knowing and I am so thankful for the ability we have to trust in Someone that knows so much more than I do!

This past week I've also been thinking a lot about how incredibly blessed I am. As a daughter. As a Sister. As a companion. As a missionary!

I am so thankful to be serving in Oregon as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and specifically here in Amity. This area has grown a lot since I've been here.

Sister Boss, Sister Men and now Sister Johnson and I have seen a lot of trials and a lot of miracles in this area. I love reading in my journal and looking back to November when I first came to Amity...so much has changed! The people we're teaching, who I am as an individual, etc.

I am so thankful for the gospel and how much it motivates us to progress. As we learn more about Jesus Christ and His teachings, we continue to build faith in Him and slowly but surely edify ourselves (REPENTANCE). We make small changes in our behavior and thinking that allow our hearts to be more centered on Jesus Christ.

This church and this gospel truly is of Jesus Christ. I am so privileged and thankful to be apart of this sacred work and for all that I have learned because of it. Even though I am sacrificing 18 months of my live to be here, it really is no sacrifice because of all that I learn and gain from the experiences I have. I'm gaining skills that will only help me throughout the rest of my life. I'm gaining eternal friends and learning what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I love this work and I love you all! Have a wonderful week everyone!

I would love to get a letter from anyone!

All my love,

Sister McCown