Superman

 Hey y’all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has time or the attention span to read this.]

My talk was great. Like actually I think k it was pretty good. The only thing is I talked about 8 minutes longer than necessary. 

For my talk talk I wore my contacts. Usually I wear my glasses, this is relevant, I pinky promise. 

Brother Catlett, the ward mission leader in the Fayetteville 4th ward (my ward), came up to me after my talk and said I was Just like super man, before with my glasses I was Clark Kent and then I took my glasses off and became Superman. High praise. He also asked for a copy of my talk. 

But actually I think I just blacked out a little and read what I had written. Thanks for the prayers and words of wisdom my talk rocked.

In my talk I talk about President Nelson's 2022 talk “The Power of Spiritual Momentum” he talks about 5 things we can do to increase our Spiritual Momentum and continue on the covenant path. He talks about the following:

1.Get on the covenant path and stay there.

2.Discover the joy of daily repentance.

3.Learn about God and how He works.

4.Seek and expect miracles.

5.End conflict in your personal life.

So I talked about all that and made it all personal and meaningful, all that jazz. 

I'm now the designated driver. I'm pretty alright though, I haven't bumped into a single thing and not a single thing has bumped into me. That's all I'll say there.

We had exchanges this last week. I went with Sister Peterson we came together from the mtc. we are both in training and so it was bit tough because neither of us have this super figured out yet but we had fun together and we were pretty productive so I'm proud of us. 

Yikes y'all I just do not have the energy or time to write a super email. Here's one of my favorite parts of my talk:

Prophetic promises have power. You will be prepared to perform temple work after baptism as you act on these prophetic invitations. As you work on these things you will have greater strength to resist temptation. You will have more peace of mind. You will have freedom from fear and greater unity in your families. These steps will not only bless us but also our families. 

Temples bless all of Heavenly Father's children. Temple worship helps us realize that it doesn't matter if you bring a family name or do a temple name because all of us are part of God's family so either way it's a family name.

In the temple our families get to be sealed together forever. Forever. Heavenly Father loves us and He knows how important families are because we are His children and He wants all of us to return to Him someday. Through temple ordinances families can be together forever.

I know that families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be either my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can. The Lord has shown me how I can.

Love y’all!

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: This email consists of me saying yup following Christ's footsteps is hard sometimes because Christ didn’t walk an easy path.

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9

Work

 

Hey y'all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has the time or attention span to read this.]

I've survived my first transfer! Yay! 

In other news I’m giving a talk this Sunday about preparing for the temple after baptism. So if you have any resources or cool ways you prepared to go to the temple send them in in. I'll report next p-day.🫡

It snowy here. There's like two inches of snow but they only have one snow plow in the entire state of North Carolina (I made up that statistic, it might be true it might not) so it's a big safety hazard & such. Mostly because no one knows how to drive in snow, or salt the roads and sidewalks. Bless their hearts (respectfully). Everyone here freaks out with winter weather and it's a little funny but also everyone thinks I must be from Florida or something because I shiver more than the locals. Humidity goes crazy I guess.

The few times people are meanish to us helps me really realize how much people are nice to us. I haven’t been bashed yet, I know it'll happen thus the yet, but sometimes people think we are trying to sell them something and they point at their sign that says no soliciting and want argue with us and we don't want to argue so we just leave. But y'all I looked up (via meta AI on messenger) the difference between missionaries and solicitors and we are in fact not the same thing, unfortunately the main difference is our intentions and people can't immediately see such a difference. Super unfortunate. But really and truly everyone here is pretty willing to talk to us. People love Jesus, although I sometimes have doubts about how much they really know the Savior. I especially struggle with the idea of only Heaven and H-e- double barbie legs. Like, what? I knew people believed that but it's so hard to see their perspective when everyone except the 28 people that are a part of their congregation are doomed. I know Heaven is going to be crowded. I know after this life we get to look forward to many, many, happy reunions. How can anyone talk of charity and also be okay with only 28 people you know going to heaven. And if that was your perspective wouldn't you tell everyone about the church you attend? Wouldn't you want to save everyone? It's fine though. Kind of. I just really like the plan of Salvation. It's good stuff. Actually the best stuff. God really, really loves us. And Jesus took care of EVERYONE, Christ's Atonement is actually infinite. I can't comprehend that but I know it feels good in my heart and it makes sense in my head. 

The other dealio with people, I don’t think this is South specific or a North Carolina thing but people sometimes say, “That church just isn't right for me,” or “I prefer blahblahblah type of worship” like, okay? But what does God prefer? It's just such a silly mortal perspective. The whole religion thing isn't quite about what we want or what we prefer, it's about what is true and what God, like the real God, what He has in store for us. Y'all I don't even like church all the time. You think I (or anyone for that matter) want(s) to give a talk on Sunday?! No! That's scary and stressful. But it's not about me! 

You think all of the missionaries here really just love getting bashed and having their hearts broken because people are enthusiastic and interested one day and the next day that same person says they'll call the cops if missionaries ever come back? No. It's not fun. But it's also not about us. (Shout out to Elder Bush & Elder Johansen. I almost cried when I heard them tell that story.)  

My dad told me to talk more about the work. So there's some more about the work. Turns out it is work. And it's supposed to be. President Holland has a quote something like, “Salvation isn't cheap.” Discipleship takes work. And it should. It's not supposed to be easy to become like Christ. Christ never had it easy. 

No one likes a story without a little bit (usually a lot) of character development.

I love you all. Please, please, please, keep doing the work. Cling to the rod. Look for missionary opportunities. Christ never had it easy, following Him will not be easy but it will always, always be worth it.

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: This email consists of me saying yup following Christ's footsteps is hard sometimes because Christ didn’t walk an easy path.

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9

I'm Trying to be like Jesus

 

Hey y’all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has time or the attention span to read this.]

I've drafted this email 3 times now. I've taken a different approach every time. I'm not sure what to share. In missionary standards for disciples of Jesus Christ it says we're supposed to talk about what we are learning. That's boring though. I'm learning character development. Is that something you learn? 

I'm trying to be like Jesus.

Sometimes, most times I feel like I'm trying to try. 

“Gentle and loving in deed and in thought”

Well. I'm trying. And that's all I need to be doing.

This week we put someone on date for baptism. It's my first time doing that (yay! woo-hoo!!!). We're keeping it on the down low though so none of you are invited. But I would invite you to review the promises you made when you were baptized. Baptism helps us be more like Jesus. When we are baptized we promise to 1. Be willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. (Try to be like Jesus) 2. Keep the Commandments of God (Try to be like Jesus) 3. Serve God and others (Try to be like Jesus) 4. Endure/enjoy to the end (Try to be like Jesus) That's only 4 things. Maybe we can't be like Jesus in every way yet. But we can focus on those 4 or 1 of those 4. To try to be like Jesus I'm trying to serve God and others and I'm trying to have a good attitude as I do it (see 3&4). I'm trying to be like Jesus. This week I will try to be gentle and loving in my thoughts. 

I hope you will try to be like Jesus. I love you. Jesus loves you too no matter what.

I feel like I didn't add anything funny to this email and I just think emails should be kinda funny. Rather than laughs and giggles I offer you these: some of my favorite emojis. Enjoy.

️️

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: Jesus. Be like Him. 

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9

Ok

Hey y’all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has time or the attention span to read this.]

Sorry I didn't send an email last week, not that sorry though, it will happen again. 

This last week the heating hasn't been working at our church building and I've had several meetings happen there and they were super cold and uncomfortable but that's okay. The lack of heating did make it so church was canceled. But it's okay because we were invited to go to another ward at our stake center. That church was also canceled. Because the electricity was out. Along with more than half of Fayetteville. None of the stoplights worked. Driving was terrifying. Tears were shed. Horns were honked. But it's okay. We talked to our zone leaders and they told us to go to a different ward, one about 30 minutes away in Gillis Hills, there's some other sister missionaries there and we were excited to show up to their ward and surprise them. Their ward started at 11:30 so we left Fayetteville and found that some of the stop lights in Gillis Hills also didn't work. Not super fun. But its okay because we arrived safely at the Gillis Hills church building. We walked in and almost no one was there. Their were a few people lingering in the hallway but no one in the chapel, we were then informed that the Gillis Hills ward had started at 9… New year, new time, website hadn't been updated and all that. Awkward. But it's okay because a branch was about to start at 12! But it was the Spanish branch… but it's okay I know like, 17 Spanish words and there were some Spanish elders there who were very confused on why we were there. Honestly we were confused too. But it's all okay because we were able to take the Sacrament and the Spirit speaks in a language anyone can understand. Even though I didn't know much of what was being said, I could easily recognize how much they spoke of, rejoiced in and loved Jesus Christ. Also a bunch of people came and shook our hands or gave us a hug at the close of the meeting, they were super excited to get hermanas and then they were disappointed we were just visiting. But its okay they said. 

It's okay. 

I hope taking the Sacrament is important enough to you that when life is chaos you will still find a way to make it happen. I don't know if taking the Sacrament is the highlight of my week but I know it's important to me. It's especially important to take the Sacrament when life is chaos. The Sacrament, Jesus Christ, taking part in an ordinance so focused on Christ, that's what makes it all okay. I love you. I miss you. I'm okay. Take the Sacrament you'll be okay.

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: the Sacrament is good and it's important. And life is crazy but through Jesus Christ we get to be okay. When we do what the Savior has asked us to do everything gets to be okay. You'll be okay.

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9

The Best Christmas Church Service Ever

 

Hey y’all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has time or the attention span to read this.]

This last Sunday day was THE Christmas church service. Sister Job and have been hyping this Sunday up, a lot. I've been inviting people to this specific church service the entire time I've been here. I've mentioned it in at least 100 text messages inviting people and telling them how awesome, wonderful, cool, fantastic it was going to be.

It was awesome, wonderful, cool, and fantastic. But not in, like, the usual awesome, wonderful, cool, fantastic way(s). 

It was a beautiful mess. Ladies, you know how you do a messy bun to wash your face and it's actually the most gorgeous hairdo you've ever done in your life, but then you can never recreate it? That was this Sunday. 

There was a choir. I was in it. We did something that some generous souls, might consider singing. Some might consider it simply, making noise along with a piano. It was… a song for people with acquired taste, like people who eat snails and stuff on purpose. I'm being harsh but I don't know that anyone would describe it as a choir of angels singing.

Also during the church service a toddler threw a hymnbook at the row behind him. A girl behind me tripped over someone's purse and all of the contents of said purse spilled all over th isle, and the girl almost fell over. A family sang a Christmas song and they were using YouTube for the music with and an ad came up during their singing and they had to like skip it really fast. Someone behind me blew their nose really loud. A few primary kids were practicing their song for primary, while others were performing their music numbers.

We are a congregation of real people. We're awkward and some of us laugh too loud and we are definitely people. I really love that. When I see other people being silly or awkward or whatever I feel so validated. I feel like I belong because I too am awkward sometimes. The environment was lighthearted and I felt so welcome and I think everyone else felt comfortable too. We are not a church with professional priests or bishops or leaders, the most sacred event of the week, the Sacrament, is brought to us by 11 year olds, little tweens. All of these little things help remind me that our church is for everyone. All these little things help me see everyone as children of God. 

As I saw everyone be so human at church I felt love for everyone there. I felt like Heavenly Father was so proud of us all for waking up and coming to church and celebrating together. Jesus was and is perfect and full of grace but that doesn’t mean He was always graceful, I bet he tripped over the roots of a tree or something at some point in his life. We're imperfectly perfect, it's beautiful. I love people being people. 

I love you all so much! Merry Christmas!

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: Church this last Sunday contained a lot of distraction but it was silly and uplifting and validating and beautiful because of those distractions.

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9

 

Funny Business

 Hey y’all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has time or the attention span to read this.]

Well it's been a crazy week. Here's some funny things from the last little while.

On the way to the airport from the missionary training center I fell out of the bus, like flat on my butt, highly unfortunate. The bus was stopped, I think I should make that clear.

While door knocking (my fifth house or so) Sister Job (my awesome trainer) and I interrupted a party, they yelled at us to come in, but we just like stood there and then someone came to the door and Sister Job started sharing about the Book of Mormon and he was like, this isn't my house and we're having a party right now. Awwwkwarrrd. 

I'm learning that we're just supposed to ignore social cues, a lot. Like we read the room and then ignore it. All the time.

We accidentally left our area like 3 times, because I forget I'm navigating… I'll work on that.

There actually is an obsession with biscuits. Like there's so many advertisements for biscuits. I think it's really funny all the restaurants brag about their biscuits. 

I was asked to give the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting yesterday. I thought I smiled and put on a brave face but then we had dinner with some members and they said I looked like I did not want to be up there. And I didn't. But I didn't want them to know that.

Also at that same meal, I thought I was talking so much. I felt like I was not exactly dominating the conversation but like, being an active participant and then the members said, that soon I won't be so quiet, I'll be an extrovert by the end of this…. I thought I was doing so good but companion also confirmed I should talk more.

We got a cute little bash text and she told us she loves and that we are going to burn in h-e double barbie legs.  I thought it was a little funny. 

Anyways today I just wanted to focus on the funny. I think when we choose to let things be funny instead of just focusing on how cringey life gets we can be happier. Also, Brother Limatua (one of my seminary teachers) said “silliness is next to Godliness” or maybe he said “silliness is next to holiness” something like that. My point is: choose to laugh! I love and miss y'all. God is good. Put the Christ in Christmas. Read your Book of Mormon. 

Still holding to the rod,

Sister Owens

Summary: Basically in this email I just shared some silly stuff that happened lately. The funniest ones are paragraph 3 and 4, in my humble opinion. Let awkward stuff be funny, send me an email of something funny and awkward that happened. Or don't. Put the Christ in Christmas. Love ya!

Mary & Martha

 

Hey y’all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has time or the attention span to read this.]

I leave the mtc tomorrow. There's been so much. So much growth. So much joy. So much learning. So many tears. So many cups of the famous chocolate milk. I don't know how else to describe it. I have so much love for my district. There's been so many invitations extended and there's so much we are supposed to fit into our preplanned schedules. 

I want to talk about that. The so much that we're supposed to do each day. 

I've been so worried that I'm like, failing as a missionary and not following the mission standards because companion study hasn't happened everyday. Or because I've only had an actual work out twice in my two weeks here. Sometimes I feel bad because my companion and I are late to a devotional. There's a lot of things I can't control and I'm learning to let that be okay.

The first week here we were invited to choose a Christlike attribute to work on and the one that stuck out the most to me was diligence. Diligence is, “Consistent, valiant effort, especially in serving the Lord and obeying His word.” That's what it says in the guide to the scriptures but Preach my Gospel provides the insight that diligence is using our energy on the most productive things. Knowing what is and what isn't a priority.

I think of Mary and Martha. Martha is worried and stressed, “troubled” about many things. Mary takes time to sit and listen to and be with Christ.

I think I've been more like Martha rather than Mary. It's hard to receive personal revelation when you're worried about what you're doing and what you're doing next. I've noticed that in the moments I slow down, the Holy Ghost has an easier time getting messages to me.

Luke 10

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Before bed we have what's called miracle time. I thought it was… stupid at first, a brand thing, a way to make it so we actually go to bed at bed time. But as I take time to slow down and as I have consecrated miracle time I become more like Mary. I feel like I'm sitting right there at Jesus’ feet. I know what to say to Heavenly Father in my prayers. I'm able to think of what went right that day, all of the miracles. The best part about miracle time is that my prayers feel more like a conversation, I pause and open my book of Mormon and the verse I read is a confirmation that my prayers are heard. 

I want to be like Mary and choose that good part all the time, I want miracle time all the time.

Life is so much. So much hard. So much beautiful. So much so much. But Christ's Atonement is infinite, more than so much. He covered all of that so much so we get to cast away the worry and take time to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen.

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: No matter how busy life gets there is time for Jesus. There's time to read one verse of The Book of Mormon. There's time to say a prayer. If you don't think you have time it's because you won't make time. 

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9