Hands

 Hey y'all!

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

Yesterday we had a sister's study activity. Which basically meant wearing pajamas, talking about things we want to do differently, creating goals and eating cookies. Wow, being a missionary is the best.

As we discussed our lives as missionaries one sister commented on how she felt when she was in the temple, explaining how her white dress and everything was beautiful until she would look down at her hands. 

This sister serves at the This Is The Place Monument, where missionaries dress as pioneers and help people learn about early Utah history and the way people lived in those times. This Sister is a blacksmith there and often gets scars and burns on her hands from the work and demonstrations she does. 

When she is wearing a dress for church or while she is in the temple in her white gown she feels self conscious and perhaps sometimes even ashamed of her hands because of the scars.

As she expressed this to each of us I couldn't help but see the parallels to Jesus Christ.

My dear friend, Jesus, also has scars from his service. No one served quite like him. No one suffered quite like him. 

President Thomas S. Monson, then Elder Monson, gave a talk entitled, “Hands” in this talk he speaks of the sanctity of hard working hands.

Of the Good Shepherd’s hands Elder Monson said, “This was the determined hand which drove from the temple the money changers. This was the loving hand that blessed little children. This was the strong hand that opened deaf ears and restored vision to sightless eyes. By this hand was the leper cleansed, the lame man healed—even the dead Lazarus raised to life. With the finger of this hand there was written in the sand that message which the winds did erase but which honest hearts did retain. The hand of the carpenter. The hand of the teacher. The hand of the Christ.”

It is a sacred privilege to be the Lord's hand as his service missionary. An honor even more for this sister who will forever look at her hands and find Christ. How sacred that her service should reflect the Savior’s.

“I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love, and devotion can I forget? …

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”

His hands are always stretched towards us. Accept his hand. Let him help you. Oh how he loves you. When Jesus looks down at his hands he thinks of you. 

To this fellow missionary and representative of Christ, I humbly share, Psalm 24:3-4

“3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

Your hands are clean and you are worthy to enter the Lord’s house. Thank you for taking upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ. You are an exceptional representative of the Lord. However, I would kindly suggest that we find you some high quality, thick, leather gloves.

I hope all of our hands can be a little more like Christ's.

Still holding to the rod,

Sister Owens

Summary: Let us not be ashamed of the service we do in the Savior’s name. Celebrate those scars that make you more like Jesus Christ. Do more of what the Savior would do.

Sources

Hands

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1972/10/hands?lang=eng 

I Stand All Amazed

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/i-stand-all-amazed?lang=eng 

Psalm 24

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/24?lang=eng

 

Men's underwear, STL, & crying with people

 Yep. It's me again. You're welcome.

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

As of late I have been serving at the distribution center in Tooele. A distribution center is a place where people buy sacred clothing for ordinances and also books and CTR rings. It isn't exactly my most favorite place to be but that's not what service is about. To summarize my experience there I would say that I am learning much more about men's underwear than I'm interested in knowing.

The next order of business, I'm an STL now. STL stands for sister training leader and basically that means I am supposed to be real nice and also that I will probably need to talk more at missionary meetings. And a few other things.

Being a missionary has helped me to recognize some of my strengths and weaknesses. For example one of my strengths is my arm muscles, I beat all of my companions in arm wrestle contests. One of my weaknesses is adjusting to big transitions. In the last year (it's been a year) I've had some sacred opportunities to cry with people. I consider this a strength even though sometimes having a big heart means it's perhaps a little more heavy. Empathy has always been my superpower. It's probably my top Christ-like attribute, feeling things with people. 

I remember when it was time for my family to go and get flu shots my mom would take all of the kids at once in one appointment. I recall that while I didn't particularly enjoy getting a tiny needle poked in my arm it wasn't a terrifying or particularly painful experience for me. But it was for some of my siblings. They would cry and cry and cry and scream and it would always make me start crying too, I would feel so pained for/with them. I started needing to “go to the bathroom” when it was time for my younger siblings to get their vaccinations.

In recent times empathy has been more like crying beside my friend after they receive bad news. Or sitting in the foyer with students and listening to their experiences and for some reason I'm crying and realizing how much I love these students. With one of my companions it was feeling crappy and crying in the car with each other.

I used to think feeling so much because someone I loved was feeling so much was a little silly and sort of inconvenient. But this week I thought about how when choosing my service sites I wanted to be where Christ would be and I've been with people during times where they really needed Christ. Being a representative of Jesus Christ and being able to do what Christ would do for people is my favorite. 

In the scripture below a prophet named Alma is preaching to people at the waters of Mormon. Alma explains the qualifications for baptism, including mourning with those that mourn.

Mosiah 18:9

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

I'm grateful to be able to serve by being able to mourn with those that mourn. I'm grateful for the opportunity to love others the way Christ loves them and see everyone as a child of God. It's become sacred to me to have chances to fulfill my baptismal covenant to mourn with those that mourn. It helps me love the world despite… everything. I know people are good because I'm a person and I'm good. Certainly not perfect but good enough to give me hope.

Anyways joy to the world because we have our Savior. The good Shepherd is the goodest ever. I love Him so much. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love you! 

Still holding to the rod,

Sister Owens

Summary: Sometimes my service situations are interesting and now I know more about underwear. #ohtheblessingsofservice They asked me to be a Sister Training Leader and I said yeah. Empathy. I love my Savior.

Testimonies are treats

 Hey y'all!

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

Happy Halloween!!!

One of my jobs at seminary is occasionally teaching the adaptive needs seminary class. It's been a sacred experience to testify of Jesus Christ with these beautiful kids and with their peer tutors. Everyone in our class is so friendly and the Spirit can easily be felt as we learn together!

This week I taught a lesson about the following scriptures.

Doctrine & Covenants 124:2-3

2 Your prayers are acceptable before me; and in answer to them I say unto you, that you are now called immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel, and of this stake which I have planted to be a cornerstone of Zion, which shall be polished with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace. 

3 This proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and the high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad.

I explained to the class that today we would be making proclamations of the gospel to the world. I said we wouldn't visit presidents or kings but we would go and share our testimonies with some neighbors. 

In the spirit of Halloween I made everyone missionary name badges so we could dress up as missionaries. Then we went testimony or treating. Much like trick or treating you approach someone's door and then rather than saying, “trick or treat” you bear your testimony and then you are given a treat.

First we visited Brother Hardy, the seminary principal. We knocked on his office door and he invited us all in. One by one we each shared our testimonies. Brother Hardy shared his too and he expressed to us that we had made his office a better place. I could tell he meant it because his eyes were filled with tears. I could feel the Spirit too. We got our treats and headed to our next neighbor.

The next person we visited was Sister Legge, our administrative assistant at seminary. We approached her desk and she was happy to receive our class. We introduced ourselves, (using our missionary titles) and again one by one bore our testimonies. I loved the way that some of our testimonies changed from the little walk between Brother Hardy's office and Sister Legge’s front desk. I love how beautifully and simply we each proclaimed the gospel truths we knew. 

We didn't have any more neighbors but I decided to close the classroom door and I pretended to be another neighbor. They knocked on my door and shared their testimonies with me. Testimonies are such powerful gifts. I cried as I listened to their pure and simple testimonies. I’m happy no one overcomplicated their testimonies, they simply shared what the Spirit told them to share.

As everyone settled back into their desks I shared the following scriptures.

Doctrine & Covenants 18:15-16

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! 

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

I closed my lesson with my testimony that sharing the gospel brings us joy! Everytime we share our testimonies we bring souls closer to Christ and we will have joy as we help others come unto Christ!

This Sunday is fast and testimony meeting. I invite each of you to ponder your own testimony. And, if you decide to share your testimony with your ward then I promise you will feel joy from bringing souls closer to Christ. Please remember we share our testimonies with words and deeds. Singing a hymn can be a testimony. Inviting someone to sit next to you can be a testimony. 

I testify that there is joy in bringing souls closer to Christ! I testify that Christ lives and He loves and knows each one of us! And, I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all! I hope you reflect on your testimony!

Still holding to the rod,

Sister Owens

Summary: My service sites are better than yours and testimonies bring souls closer to Christ which gives us joy!!! Also happy Halloween!

I'm Glad Strangers Got In My Car

 Hey y'all!

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

Happy Friday! Happy General Conference weekend!

This week I had zone conference! I volunteered to drive people because sometimes transportation gets a little messy for service missionaries. All of the missionaries in the zone met at a church house and then we all stood around in the parking lot talking until it was time for riders to find drivers. 

That morning I had been introduced to two new sisters who had very recently transferred home, Sister Fawson and Sister Smart. A few weeks before that I had met Sister Merritt as we were walking to our cars at the same time and sort of helping one another not get caught in another conversation so we could go home.

That morning the four of us were standing by each other and chatting. When it was time to go I said I could take four people and the three of them decided to come with me. My dad's car's name is Gator, I told the sisters this as we walked towards the car, and they agreed it was a very good name for this particular car. 

As we drove we got to talk with each other and get to know each other and listen to music. I enjoyed driving because I didn't have to participate in the conversation, I got to listen and I love to listen. They were all so funny and it was so uplifting. It was easy to be with them.

We stayed together throughout the whole day, although they couldn't leave me because I was their ride home. It was the first zone conference in this mission for all of us but because we had each other it wasn't really an anxiety inducing experience, it was just fun.

When our conference concluded one of these sweet sisters asked me, “do you think Gator wants to go and get ice cream?” And I said, “why, yes, I think he would.” So then we all went and ate ice cream together. Laughter and ice cream are such a good combo.

On the drive home we were deciding which ice cream flavors each of us would be if we were ice cream and they said that I would be cookies and cream because, “it's hard not to like.” That's like a huge compliment.

We have a group chat and I'm excited to get to know each of them better. Sister Merritt, Sister Smart, and Sister Fawson were evidence that God is aware of me, knows my heart, and loves me.

I know God is aware of you, knows your heart, and loves you. I hope that you're able to notice the tender mercies and evidence of God's love in your life. They are there, I promise. I promise it will get better.

Love you! 

Still holding to the rod,

Sister Owens

Summary: Zone conference= Yay! Carpooling with random strangers I met five minutes ago=Yay! Ice cream= Yay! You're going to be okay because God is watching out for you.

Good Stuff

Hi everyone!

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

For this week's email I'm not really going to write but rather list some things that are good from this last week. 

Please enjoy the following with me:

-Dinosaur stickers 

-Teddy bears

-Orange flowers

-Fairy lights

-Candles that smell like Fall

-Decent jazz music

-Wedding invitations from new friends

-Open windows

-Naps

-Learning Christmas music in choir

-Blue silky pillowcases

-dresses with floral print

-potlucks

-mother daughter dates

-hugs

-a well organized binder

-a well organized planner

-using old lemonade bottles as vases for sunflowers

-comfort movies and shows

-teaching my sister how to drive

-the impermanence of heavy feelings 

-ribbons to wear in hair

-vanilla scented soaps

-chicken nuggets

-juice

-emails from people you miss 

-Kindness

-having my own office

-little basil plants

-making progress 

-seeing the sky

-good stories

-how Ok looks like a lil stick figure on its side

-you reading the whole list

-you

Okay, send me a little list of things you've enjoyed lately.

Love ya!

Sister Owens

Summary: I wrote this list of good things. Thanks for being something good in my life. Keep being good.

P.S. Jesus loves you.

Service Sites & K Pop Demon Hunters

 Hey y’all!

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

Sorry it's been many moons since my last email. I haven't really known what to share. 

I have service sites! Yay!

My first service site is Deseret Peak Seminary. I get to erase whiteboards, which I'm a champ at! I really enjoy being around the students because they're funny and also because high school is such a great time to figure out your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. To be able to help out is really special.

I also help out on Wednesdays and Thursdays by helping people check into this little class. Or I will starting next week. Woo!

I'm doing training to become a hospice volunteer. More details when I have them.

Lastly, I am an ordinance worker in the Deseret Peak temple! Mostly I'm still being trained but it's been really nice to spend a few hours in the temple feeling the Spirit and helping others to feel the Spirit too. 

It's really special to be able to serve and especially to serve in settings that feel like the Savior would want to come and be there too. I know the Savior loves those that I serve and it makes me excited to serve them.

In other news, I watched K Pop Demon Hunters and I liked it, especially as a missionary. It's so cool to have enough Jesus in me to make gospel comparisons. I won't spoil it but if you haven't watched it you have a treat ahead of you. Okay, maybe I'll spoil a little bit of it. Basically I just love that our identities matter so much and I want everyone to know they are a child of God so that they can put that identity first so that when Satan lies to us we can focus on Christ and on our divine identity. There is power in knowing who you are. There are real demons but we can battle our inner demons.

Earlier on my mission a companion of mine would refer to negative self talk or stressors as demons. She would say, “I'm fighting the demon of ______.” This was a great way to keep me in the loop of how she was feeling and helped us both to help each other. There's a lot of demons out there, some of them are outside forces but most demon battles happen inside us. Fighting against the demons of sin or addiction can be lonely battles. But we don't have to fight them alone. We rarely win in solitude. Jesus Christ is on our side and He wants to fill us with His grace. He wants to strengthen us with His power. 

In the hymn, Master the Tempest is Raging the chorus says, “The winds and the waves shall obey thy will: Peace, be still. Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea Or demons or men or whatever it be, No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies. They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, be still; peace, be still. They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, peace, be still.” Jesus Christ is with us in every demon hunt, even when it feels more like we are being hunted. With Christ we can win each battle and slay every demon but we will need Christ. As we pray for His grace and allow more of His power into our lives through Scripture study, sincere prayer, and covenant keeping we can do the impossible. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: I get to serve at places. K pop demon hunters is . With Christ everything is gonna be just fine.

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

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

Some Minor Updates

 Hey y'all!

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

In preparation for the long awaited halfway mark of my mission, I've decided to change a few things for the remaining 9 or so months. For example, I've been reassigned to be a service missionary in the Salt Lake City West mission. 

Being a missionary in North Carolina was a wonderful experience. I was able to help others learn about Jesus Christ and become a more devoted disciple of Jesus Christ too!

Sometimes I felt a little sad, but actually a lot sad. Sometimes I felt a little nervous, but actually a lot nervous. And then those times became a little more frequent and then a lot more frequent. 

So now I'm going to try out being a service missionary. I'm not sure what assignment I'll have yet but I know I'll end up where the Lord needs me. I know Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ are aware of me & aware of you. 

I know we can be confident in Jesus Christ!

Here's what I learned from my time in Cleveland North Carolina:

Sertraline, a common drug used for mental health is quite the ride, one of those rides at the fair that you're happy to get off of.

Humidity is great for your skin. I felt like a cute slimy frog some days, a cute slimy frog with very clear skin. 

Jesus Christ lives.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days is Jesus Christ’s Church.

Some churches are like social clubs and I have a really hard time with that.

Anyone can participate in missionary work. 

Oreos with peanut butter are wonderful.

Companions help you do things even when you're scared.

New testament is good stuff.

 Some of the most powerful testimonies are given through music.

Black mold is crazy and sometimes it means that you live with 6 people in an apartment for like, 2 people.

 Members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that are originally from Utah, are all about pasta & casseroles.

Love you!

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: I'm in Utah now. I learned stuff. I love Jesus! I love you!

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

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