Here to Harvest

 Hey y'all!

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

In our mission (perhaps all missions, I don’t know) we have something called recitations. Where we all stand and say a bunch of things. We sound like a glorious chorus of robots. I still don't know our recitations too well but I'm certainly getting there. But I digress, one of our recitations is Doctrine and Covenants section 4 it contains 7 verses total, in my mission it's described as the job description of a missionary. 

I must admit that at first recitations annoyed me. Sometimes they still do, perhaps because I haven't 100% applied everything we say or maybe because it feels like the majority of missionaries say it just to say it and not like they really mean it.

In an effort to be a consecrated missionary I've been taking recitations (and many other things) more seriously. As I have studied and pondered Doctrine and Covenants 4 I have thoroughly enjoyed the metaphor of harvesting. 

Often, missionary work is compared to planting seeds. “Well don't worry if she's not ready to listen yet, you're just planting seeds.” or “Just keep watering, keep inviting,..” I’m not here to plant seeds. I'm not watering a garden. I'm here to harvest. 

“The field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;” (D&C 4:4)

I'm thrusting in my sickle with all my might. Believe me, the field is white already to harvest. We have 10 new members in the Fayetteville 4th ward. Yesterday in our new member class the teacher expressed to everyone that we missionaries will leave. And a bit like a parent, we will never stop worrying about these people that we helped come to Christ. It's up to the ward now. It's actually been up to the ward the whole time. They plant the seeds, they do the watering. 

I'm temporary hired help here to harvest. 

The field is white already to harvest. There's a lot of people out there looking for truth and hope and the joy that only the gospel can bring.

I've been planting seeds and watering as a disciple of Jesus Christ for a long time we are all sowers and now I have the opportunity to harvest. 

It's been kinda fun to harvest.

This week after Sacrament we chased The car of one of our friends so we could talk to him about baptism. There's very few things that make me run because generally running brings me minor pain and disappointment. But I ran to catch someone in their car to talk about the joy of the gospel. 

Love you! Keep being so amazing and stuff. I'm literally just tired of writing this now. 

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: #here2harvest (for more information read the email above) 

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

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

Slow Progress is Still Progress

 Hey y'all!

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

On Saturday we baptized our friend Anastasia. Anastasia has been meeting with missionaries for well over a decade. More than ten years. Here's the story:

Once upon a time in December Sister Job & Sister Owens were checking their text messages (something that, frankly, we aren't very good at) and much to our surprise a random number had texted us saying Merry Christmas, how are you guys? So naturally we looked up the number in our cute, little, (we would not function without it) app with our area book and all of the relevant information for missionary work. We found Anastasia was the one who texted us and we failed to scroll all the way down to the bottom.of her information. We texted her and planned a time to meet her and her husband and see what would come of it.

So we went over to their house and met them and chatted and it was great and we thought cool. We found out that Chris (Anastasia’s husband) had been baptized a few years ago but at this time wasn't particularly interested in church. We found out Anastasia had previously been on baptismal date but chickened out the last minute or something (still unclear).

After our first lesson/discussion/meeting I decided to do some #research and take a quick scroll down Anastasia's time line on the PMG app (previously mentioned would not be able to do anything without it app). As I scrolled I realized it kept going and going and going. And then her time line went to 2014. Shortly after that we found out that they had missionaries be the witnesses for their wedding, which was in 2009. Its been a hot minute of them hanging out with missionaries. 

Sister Job and I really weren't sure what to do next.

I was really concerned that there was nothing we could try that previous missionaries hadn't already tried. I didn't really know what to do. Anastasia had been taught every point and every lesson at least once before. And she had been invited to do everything we knew to invite people to do.

After careful council and consideration we decided to extend the invitation to have her read/listen to the Book of Mormon in its entirety, from cover to cover, in one month.

She did it in two. And was baptized the day she finished the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon paired with the Spirit is the most powerful tool in conversion. I remember that because I got it wrong on a training type test. (It was a trick question, and I'm still mad.)

It wasn't really me or Sister Job that got Anastasia to be baptized and make covenants with Heavenly Father. It was the Book of Mormon and her learning to recognize the influence of the Spirit as she read. 

If you haven't read the Book of Mormon, read it. Especially if you have been Baptized. The Book of Mormon will invite the Spirit into your life and help you learn to recognize how you can receive revelation for your own life. 

At Anastasia's Baptism Sister Chae spoke. There, we learned that when Sister Chae was pregnant with her oldest daughter (who is now 5) Sister Chae went to a lesson at Anastasia's house. Sister Chae told Anastasia she knew her journey to reach this point was long and not easy and it wouldn't necessarily begin to be easier but it would continue to be worth it and she would continue to be more like Christ.

It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you are continuously moving in the right direction. Keep going towards Christ. Continue forward on the covenant path even if all that looks like is opening up your Book of Mormon. Maybe it's not even reading it yet but just taking the time to open the book.

One of my MTC teachers told us that on her mission whenever her or one of her companions had a bad dream they would open the Book of Mormon. Not read anything, just open it. 

Sometimes just doing that is enough. You don't have to get through it all in two months. You probably already know your next step on the covenant path. It might simply be scheduling your next temple appointment. And if you want it to happen in one month and then it takes two that is still something to celebrate. 

Even if takes over a decade for you to make your next covenant or read the whole Book of Mormon or forgive that one person, keep moving forward.

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

P.S. Happy Valentines Day! Love you all!

Summary: Our friend Anastasia got baptized. Pretty cool. She's been meeting with missionaries for 10+ years. Sometimes doing the right thing can take some time but it's still worth doing! 

Pray He is There

Hey y'all!

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

Today is the first p-day that while hanging out with the district I have not felt like I was about to get hit with a volley/soccer/pickle/foot/basket ball. They are playing pickle ball at the moment and I actually feel safe. (Yay!) Feeling doesn't actually mean I am safe though. 

…the pickle ball was hit far over the fence. And down a hill. I actually probably am safe for a bit.

The ball was quickly retrieved so I'll be on my guard as I write this. 

This takes me back to the first time the district was here playing pickle ball on my very first p-day in the field. That time I was hit with a football on my ankle. The ball hit my ankle and the elder who tossed it came up and very awkwardly touched my ankle said, “so sorry,” grabbed the football and ran away. Super awkward. I've been hit several other times but that one was so memorable because it was just so awkward.

Update: I got hit. I love pday. Someday I'll learn to catch a ball or kick a ball or not just sit here. 

Just kidding I'm being really dramatic, the ball rolled into me. 

Anyways I'll be a serious goose now. 

Yesterday Elder and Sister Uchtdorf spoke to the young adults of the church yesterday and I got to watch it and it was wonderful. I don't remember much of what they said but I do remember I could feel how much they loved each other and how much they loved the people they were speaking to. 

I think that even if people forget what I say I want them to remember how I made them feel. At least if I make them feel good. We communicate with so so much more than our words and that's good because so far I haven't done too much of the talking. But I do a great deal of listening.

I think I'm also pretty good at the body language thing. I read a book about body language for a book report once and it was super interesting and it helps me know how comfortable people are (or more relevantly are not) talking with us. 

I'm glad talking to God is easy. Like praying can be super formal or it can be completely silent. Sometimes I write my prayers because sometimes saying them out loud can feel overwhelming sometimes. 

Prayer is also easier because God listens. 100% the time. There's never any miscommunication because He speaks our language perfectly and knows us perfectly.

I wish I was better at listening to God.

I guess I get distracted. But I'm trying to learn all of the ways my prayers are answered. I know my prayers are answered in ways unique to me, like things that might only be an answer to me that would be weird or random to other people.

I love prayer. I love that I can talk to God. I love that anyone can talk to God. I love you and I hope you love talking to God. 

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: I don't love getting hit with volley/soccer/pickle/foot/basket balls. I do love prayer & I love love you! 

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

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

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