Happy Friendsgiving!

Happy happy Thanksgiving everyone! Isn't this just a perfect season to be grateful for all that is around you?

Want to know one of the many things I'm grateful for, especially today??

A SUNNY DAY!

I love sunny days in Oregon and I'll take every single one I can get, especially as the winter clouds begin to roll in!

Despite not being with my family for this holiday, I'm thankful to be in Oregon and being with all my friends here! I love them all and it has been a comfort to me! I'm especially grateful for the technology that allowed me to talk to them today!

So much has happened in the past 10 days since I last wrote, I honestly have no idea where to begin!

Let me just sum up the week in a few stories:

We met with a woman named Ruth these past couple of weeks that we are helping to be baptized in the near future. She has been taught my missionaries a lot in the past, but the questions she has about the Church have kept her from progressing.

One evening we had a lesson with her and she shot several questions at us, all about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and how she can truly know truth for herself.

As missionaries we teach a lot of people about the Restoration, all based upon their needs, but I haven't had a lesson as Spirit-filled as that one in a long time! As we began from the basic knowledge of God as our loving Heavenly Father, I could feel the Spirit literally take control of the words that I said and the scriptures that we shared. Ruth listened so intently, and by the end of the lesson when she said she understood more and some of her questions had been answered, I felt like I was on Cloud 9!

The message of the Restoration is my favorite lesson to teach, because it is the very foundation of everything that we believe! It is all centered around the love that God has for us, and the potential He sees in us as His children. In order to reach that potential, He sent His Son Jesus Christ, as well as prophets both before and after Him. Through this cycle of prophets we have access to this priceless truth, and we can know it ourselves through Study and prayer. And how grateful I am for the Book of Mormon! It is the physical evidence that Christ's Church is on the earth today, and that God is continually reaching out to His children.

A "first" on the mission: going on splits!

Last week one evening we found ourselves in a pickle. We had 2 lessons planned at the exact same time, and they were both very important and not changeable. So what do we do? Sister Morgan and I divide and conquer!

Sister Morgan went to a lesson focused on family history and for that time, her companion was the family history consultant we brought. Then I went with a member in the ward to go see our friend Robert before he left to go back home to Taiwan! 

Robert is the foreign exchange student that we began teaching when I got here. We helped him to learn about who Jesus Christ is and what He did for us, and it was such a cool experience for me to teach someone who has never learned about Jesus Christ before!

During that lesson I focused on how the gospel can be learned step by step. It was so weird teaching without my normal companion!

At the end, Robert prayed, thanking Heavenly Father for bringing missionaries into his life. It touched my heart when he said "especially Sister McCown" because I had been here the entire time he met with missionaries! I'll miss him a lot, but I'm so excited for him to continue to meet with missionaries in the future.

We also got transfer calls...

And I'll be staying here in Albany! I guessed that because I actually don't have too much longer, but I'm also so excited to just put everything I have into the work and really see this area grow! I love this work!

Last spiritual message till Monday:

Party of my journal entry from Nov. 22nd: "I'm truly thankful to be a missionary, especially in the Oregon Salem mission.  It truly us the best mission in the world for me and the experiences I've had here have shaped me for the better.

I am a better person in deciding to serve a mission. At this point in my life, its the best decision I've ever made. I wouldn't trade these experiences I've had or the relationships I've created for every star in the galaxy.

For that reason alone, I would want everyone to serve a mission. There are just things I have learned here that I wouldn't have been able to experience anywhere else, at least, not as quickly.

I truly love my mission. I've never done anything so hard, but nothing has brought me greater purpose, joy or love for my Savior. I could never fully put until words all the blessings I have received in serving a mission as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ."

All my love

Sister McCown

The Field is White and the Sky is Grey!

Hello hello, everyone! Here is yet another weekly from just another missionary here in the Oregon Salem Mission...and how wonderful the work is here! Albany truly is a field and ready to harvest and I am loving it!

This week I actually didn't spend as much time in Albany as previous weeks, because we had 2 exchanges and I left for both of them! Nonetheless, we saw many miracles and I am thankful to be back and ready to kill it every day!

For the first exchange I was with the legendary Sister Tischner in Salem! I have never been to Salem before...and I love it! It is a cool area with a lot of super nice people and it was seriously such an amazing opportunity to be with Sister Tischner! She is one transfer older than me and is actually preparing to go home, but her fire for the gospel and sharing it with all those that she meets has never died...and I could assume that it never will! She goes through so much in her personal life, but she does not allow it to even waver her focus! It is truly amazing, but she is also so unconditionally loving to all those around her. Man, I try every day to be more like her!

Something that she often said while we were talking to people in the streets and in lessons was when she was talking about the gospel, she would say, "It has changed my life".

I could hear it in the tone of her voice that she knew that what she was saying was true, and I couldn't agree with her more! Jesus Christ and His gospel...has changed my life. I am a better person because of it and every day my relationship with Him grows stronger.

My second exchange was with Sister Hawkes and I spent the day with her in Brownsville! It is a cute little town in the woods on the way south end of the mission. It reminds me a lot of Amity, especially at night walking in the dark on the unlit roads and uneven pavement. Felt like I was at home!

I love Sister Hawkes though! She is a younger missionary, but despite that is so powerful and knows what she is doing! I really loved her ability to talk to people easily and the confidence she has in herself and the Lord. Man, I was not that confident when I was that young of a missionary!

A cool little miracle on that exchange: We went to visit a less-active family, the Zollingers, and we had to walk up their long, muddy driveway to their house. When we got inside though, we were quickly welcomed in, and I got to hold 3 of their cute little kittens! Then they showed us their big fish tank full of baby sharks! And then they told us about their 36,000 gallon swimming pool full of goldfish...I love this family! After reading a talk in the Friend magazine about prayer, they flipped to another page with a simplified version of "Search, Ponder and Pray". Sister Zollinger turned to Sister Hawkes and I and said, "Do either of you play the piano??" When I said that I did, they rushed over to their 100-year-old piano that hasn't been tuned since it was first made and as I played the song, they sang along to it! It was the most fun I've ever had during a member lesson!

One last message before I close for the week:

This past week I've had a few inner concerns that I didn't know I had until I read about the answer in my personal study one morning. Since I've been in this area (9 weeks), I haven't seen very much growth of individuals, at least in the aspect of working towards baptism. The list of people that we are teaching has changed A TON, but none of the people we've worked with specifically in this area hasn't made any steps towards baptism. It made me sad, and even though it brought me peace to know that I am working the very hardest I can, it helped me to pray and ask for the ability to see even the little growth in those we work with.

One morning while I was reading in Helaman 16, the story is told of a prophet Samuel who stood upon a wall to proclaim the coming of Christ and the necessity to repent! Many people didn't listen to him and actually attempted to kill him, but those that did listen went to find another prophet Nephi to learn more and be baptized. Because of Samuel's faithfulness, he was protected by the threats of those who tried to kill him and he was able to escape safely to another country. As I read that chapter, I realized that Samuel was never able to see the "fruits of his labors"! Those that listened to Samuel and believed him didn't go to HIM to be baptized, they went to Nephi! But Samuel knew that he had tried his hardest and he had so much faith in God that His children would all be given the opportunity to accept the gospel and make the steps toward baptism. Samuel knew he had done his part!

It made me see my work as a missionary differently. Ultimately I can't obsess over the success or hardships of the mission- all I can do is try my very hardest to help others to have the opportunity! I can only extend the invitation and do my best to help others feel the Spirit! That is what success is!

And what a miracle we saw this weekend: Our friend, Barb, accepted the invitation to be baptized in February! I am so excited for her and love her with all my heart. She has so much faith and I know she will go so far in the gospel!

I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week! Just to forewarn you, because of Thanksgiving next week, I won't be emailing until then (so don't expect a weekly next Monday!). I would love to hear from you all!

Here is a video I want you all to watch. Take this season as an even greater opportunity to serve others and help them to feel of your love and His love!: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2017-11-0020-think-to-thank?lang=eng&_r=1

Love

Sister McCown

The First of "the Lasts"

Hello from Albany, Oregon...and only 6 days since you heard from me last! Man, it seems like forever ago since I've had a preparation day, though, because last "pday" we went to the temple and so we were flying literally all day...and the rest of the week was pretty similar!

We did a good amount of traveling this week, and it was pretty fun! Last week we drove over an hour to Portland to go to the temple, then the next day we drove an hour to Newberg for a mission-wide leadership meeting. Then on Friday we went to Salem for Zone Conference!

The subject line is a reference to Zone Conference, because it was officially my last. As I face this last transfer of my mission, I am going to start facing some "lasts"...which is absolutely INSANE! Holy goodness, I remember all the "lasts" before entering the MTC (last time going to church with my family, last time going to Chick Fil A, last time watching a movie, etc. etc. etc.)

It is so surreal, it is not even funny! But I love it too because I've really seen this past week my love for the work and desire to try my hardest each day grow...even though I always have, of course!

During the meeting on Wednesday, President Wilde informed all the sisters there that during our zone conferences, we would be teaching 3 50-minute classes on how to train missionaries in "talking with everyone", specifically how to do it with charity to find people prepared to receive the gospel. And lucky for our specific area...we were the first zone conference- so Sister Morgan and I had less than 2 days to prepare!

It worked out, though, and it was super fun! We emphasized a lot the need to see others as children of God, and for the divine potential they have. We also discussed how we can fulfill our purpose as missionaries more effectively, and when we actively keep that purpose at the forefronts of our minds, we can be diligent and bold!

At the end of the zone conference, President Wilde led a discussion focused on "Fair Dinkum" which in English means "all in". We talked about how important it is to be "all in" as we do missionary work. There are so many distractions that can cause us to lose our focus, especially as we live our day to day; but when we keep our true focus in mind, whatever it may be at whatever stage of life we may be in, that focus affects our daily decisions. One goal I have as I live the rest of my life is to always be worthy to enter the temple, and I know that as I keep that focus, I will be able to make good decisions (reading my scriptures daily, serving others, going to the temple regularly, etc.) that will keep my goal a reality!

I love zone conference so much and look forward to it every transfer! It is such a sacred experience where I get to give my input, receive counsel from others and just feel uplifted and ready to work even harder. I also just love any time that I get to gather with other missionaries; it is a good reminder that my companion and I aren't doing the Lord's work alone (even though it does feel like that sometimes), but that we are literally as the army of Helaman!

But that day was even more special, because I got to see my Sister Leifson! She is the greatest person ever and I was so excited to see her! I love being in her zone and I love her to death!

Miracles through the Book of Mormon!!

We are currently working with a guy named Travis (I've probably mentioned him in previous weeks), but he has been having a really rough time with facing so many unfortunate events in his life that have seemed to crash down upon him at one time. We feel so bad for all that he has to face, but as we've been working with him, we've really noticed how open his heart is to the gospel. Even though it is hard for him to ask, his desire is so strong and so pure!

We invited him to the Book of Mormon class on Saturday, and we had a ride organized and everything, but then right before he texted us and said he wasn't doing okay mentally and didn't want to come. Well...we wouldn't take that!

We ended up driving over early to talk to him about it. He seemed really sad and heartbroken about something that had happened, and it gave us an opportunity to help him see how much peace and comfort he could feel as he took this chance to meet with other people and read in the Book of Mormon. It took some time to convince him...but he eventually got his shoes on and his Book of Mormon! It was such a good experience for him and we are so glad we followed the prompting to push back a little bit. To really help him feel the love God has for him and the blessings He has ready to give him as he acts in faith. After the class, Travis said he felt more at peace about things and we promised him that he would be able to figure the things out in his life that were going crazy. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of us and will take care of us!

Rollercoasters of emotions have already begun and I know it won't change much in the coming weeks, especially as the "inevitable" (as my mission President calls it haha) of going home soon approaches. The only word that could fully describe it is "unreal".

But something that I know to be a constant in my life is Jesus Christ- both His love for me and His willingness to help me as long as I remain faithful. I could never fully describe how much He has helped me throughout my life, and I have never seen so consistently His hand in my life than on my mission.

This past week in my studies I've gained a lot of peace when coming to know that everything we experience and every lesson we learn and every attribute we acquire is preparatory for the next phases of our life. Just like how our life before mortality prepared us for today, our time now on this earth is preparing us for what comes after this life. Isn't that the coolest thing?!

I know that every experience I have had on my mission and will continue to have in the coming weeks are preparing me and strengthening me for what I will prepare in the future. Heavenly Father blesses us "line upon line, precept upon precept" and I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves us enough to give us hard things, because He sees the eternal perspective and He wants us to be strong!

I love my Savior and His gospel. I love being a missionary- I'm living the dream! I am thankful for this time I have to dedicate and give to Him, and to make the best out of every situation. I am grateful for this opportunity I have to truly give each day He has given me, back to Him!

I love you all and am thankful for all your love and support!

Sister McCown

Twirling on Temple Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Yep, not the normal day I email, but that's because I went to the temple today! I was literally twirling and dancing on the inside as we pulled up to the beautiful, marble temple! I love that place! 

The temple the amazing and I received so much peace from going! I know that it is the closest place to heaven on earth and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to go! It was a good reminder to me that I not only need to help others make the steps towards baptism, but also help them to ultimately keep their eyes on the temple!

This week has been busy busy and it has been the best!

We went on 2 exchanges this past week and both of the sisters I went with are in training as missionaries. It was so fun to be with younger missionaries and see the "greenie fire" in them.

I went to Sweet Home for one of the exchanges and it is the cutest little town! I was with Sister Noble for that exchange, and she had only been out for 2 weeks at that point! She is such a great missionary and so courageous! It was so fun to get to know her and she was such a good example to me of showing love to others and putting our fears aside to fully serve God and others.

The second exchange was with Hermana Staker who serves in the spanish congregation in Albany, and I love her so much! I already have known her for a while because I see her and her companion a few times a week and we hang out all the time on pdays, but it was fun to be more one-on-one with her. We talked a lot, especially as we made cookies at the end of the night, and she is SO GOOD at giving compliments! Oh my goodness, I was called to repentance a little bit as a realized how much better I need to be about giving compliments and vocalizing the strengths I see in others.

It's amazing how all the exchanges I go on throughout the transfer, I always learn more from them than they probably do from me!! And there is so much more I need to learn!

This past week we also celebrated Halloween! On wednesday we had our ward halloween party and it was so fun! There were more nonmembers and less-active members than active members! It was so fun to walk around, mingle and get to know others!

On Halloween night, we had to be in our apartment by 6pm (great way to celebrate, right?) Because it's not safe for missionaries to be outside on that night. Instead of being outside proselyting, we did our planning for the week and tried to contact a lot of people!

One of the biggest miracles of this past week has been working with a guy named Travis. We met him a couple weeks ago trying to actually visit a relative of his that met with missionaries previously, but met him instead!

When we first met him, he expressed to us some of his struggles. We know that his trials have really softened his heart and he is SO PREPARED in accepting the gospel.

We had everything set up for him to come to church this past week...and then on Saturday night he texted us and said that a close family member (also his best friend) had passed away.

We went over last night to visit him and despite how broken he was, the faith he had astounded us. He said he knows that she is Home and no longer in pain, and that we are supposed to go through hard things to help us learn and grow stronger. The Spirit was so strong on his porch as we talked about the comfort that Heavenly Father's plan brings us and I am so thankful for the opportunity we had to share it with him. I am so excited for him and the steps he has already taken and will take as he relies on Christ!

Another awesome miracle I saw this past weekend was seeing so many members from my previous areas. One of them especially was Brother Miller; my dad on a mission! He was my ward mission leader in my first area and he helped me SO much! It was so fun to walk up to him after getting out of a stake meeting down in Lebanon, and seeing his jaw drop to the floor and phone fall out of his hand when he saw me! I love him so much and he is such a good example to me!

Another week in the books and another crazy week ahead! I'm so immensely grateful for the time I have left to serve my Savior and to truly give every day He has given me back to Him. This is my time to serve Him!

I love you all and will talk to you next week!

All my love

Sister McCown