I Whip My Hair Back And Forth

January 13, 2014

The baptism went so well! J... was one excited girl! There were at least 70 people in attendance and she was very well supported. Her Mom, Grandma, Aunt, and even a few friends came! They all had a wonderful time (: All the kids of course were right up front by the font and Sister Clark and I were in the dressing room with J... I led her to the steps and had to kind of help her down because she kept complaining that it was cold. I just waited at the top of the stairs as she met President Johnson in the water. After the ordinance was performed she threw her head back and started whipping her hair back and forth and all around getting all the kids and ME wet haha! I was like whisper yelling, "J...!" as the kids squealed with excitement. Then, J... thrusts both fists into the air and exclaims, "YES! I DID IT!" Sister Clark got so red haha! It was so funny yet so embarrassing. I had to whisper-yell at her to get out of the font hahaha. 

Brother Wilde and I played the song "Baptism" as a cello and guitar duet. It was really fun for us! Brother Wilde is a very talented musician and it was nice to break out the cello. Sister Cook in the ward let me borrow hers. The sad part was realizing how much I've digressed in skill... Not even kidding! It was pathetic. Nonetheless I think it helped invite the spirit and J... and her family really enjoyed it (:

The whole event was such a testimony builder. Seeing someone accept the truth of the gospel and grow to love it so much was a miracle. Watching that happen, I can't help but to feel a confirmation that this is Jesus Christ's restored gospel. 

The church is true people!

A note from J...

On the 7th I celebrated Trevor's birthday by being inside all day! Due to unsafe weather conditions and a "severe arctic blast", the Ohio Cleveland Mission and 11 other surrounding missions were completely shut down on the 6th and 7th. The visitor's center was closed for the 6th, 7th, and 8th, so we were out for 3 days instead of 2. After completing all of the emergency preparedness measures required by the mission, Sister Clark and I had plenty of time to update and organize the area book, write a rap, thought really hard about exercising, ate a lot of sugar, and snuck out a couple of times to help take down nativities at the visitor's center. Our furnace was out for two of the days so we became bffs with our space heater. Also, the pipes at the visitor's center burst :( 

Many people lost power, gas, and had pipes breaking all over the place. Everything in the city was closed and no one left their houses. I understand that there are missionaries in Finland and Canada that deal with -40 all day long and my heart goes out to them haha, but Ohio is not equipped for that kind of weather. I am glad to know that we are well taken care of and that there are so many who are concerned for our safety.

Drying out the area book...loving the space heater!

I had this huge revelation one day to download the Family Search program onto the computers at sites so that I can index while waiting for chats to come in. Why didn't I think of it before! Everyone in the Kirtland Stake is praying so hard and doing everything they can to petition the Lord to build up a temple in Kirtland. Elder Ballard and Elder Seldon have given us specific things that we can do to prepare this area for a temple. We can serve in the temple more, submit more family names, attend the temple more, do more indexing, ask the Lord for a temple, and show him that we want one and will use one! While I can't do many of the things on this list for now, I am doing all that I can to help build up Kirtland by indexing and praying. I know and have faith that there will be another temple in Ohio someday (:

On Thursday we had such a great Zone Training Meeting. We learned and discussed more about repentance and forgiveness and how we could improve as a zone. We love our zone leaders; they are exemplary missionaries. The meeting helped us to learn how to use members effectively and gave us the motivation we needed! It was uplifting and inspiring (:

Sister Clark and I had a really fun day-we dedicated January 4th as a day of service for church leaders and ward members. I really got thinking about what you said on Christmas and I realized how much we expect of our lay ward leaders. We got the chance to de-junk storage units, do heavy lifting, de-ice cars, shovel driveways, clean kitchens, vacuum carpets, organize basements, etc. It was so fun, fulfilling, and a great excuse to wear JEANS! 

Call Jesus?!

On the 18th we moved into another historic home. It's a little old, but it's way cool to think that we are living in this amazing house! Plus, it's a lot cleaner than the last home haha... We live there with Sister Frankenberry (yes that's her real name) and Sister Smith. A fun time is had by all. The only down side is that all of the ladybugs in Ohio have chosen our house as their winter hibernation headquarters.

Not even exaggerating. 

They are everywhere! It's like I vacuum up 40 of them and then I turn around and there's 40 in their place! Now I just try to dodge them because if you step on them well, it's just gross. 

On the 20th I got a visit from the Ewell family at the visitor's center! It was our ward's assigned night to go see the nativities so a few of the sisters sang and we all got to chat. The next day they took Sister Clark and I to Texas Roadhouse ((: It was awesome to see a familiar face! I can't believe how old and how beautiful their kids are. That same day we made gingerbread men at Aberdeen and attended our former investigator A's wedding. I am so grateful for the temple and the sealing ordinance (:

I can't quite figure out the Elders in our ward. One day they are giving me little Ohio pins with hearts on them and the next day they are just plain dumb. My closest conclusion is that they just don't have very good social skills? I just don't know because they are really good missionaries. One thing that was really fun was that they invited Sister Clark and I to go caroling with them and their roommates on Christmas Eve. We stopped by a bunch of less actives and it was really awesome! (Minus the fact that this one poor Elder couldn't hold a tune to save his life. You should have seen the looks on the people's faces. We were awful lol.) Then our car got stuck in the snow one day and we asked them to come help us and they literally told us to call Jesus and then hung up. RUDE! Our investigator's mom ended up helping us dig out. 

Anyway, back to my letter. I know I talk a lot about how much the senior couples spoil us, but really, just imagine having TEN+ sets of grandparents. The Walkers brought in a crock pot of rice pudding because they heard I liked it hahaha. It's impossible to manage your weight in this mission. IMPOSSIBLE. Also one of the seniors, Sister Holtry, crocheted me a new headband ear warmer to match one of my skirts (: That same day we had two different families from Alabama come into the visitor's center! Totally made my day! Maybe I could just get a recording of the Martin family accents for when I'm having a bad day, no?

On Christmas Eve we spent all day window shopping fancy stores we couldn't afford and had seafood scampi with the Highams. Dad would've liked it... Then of course we went caroling. On our way to one house we spotted a family with 5 or 6 kids and a big U-Haul carrying boxes into their house, ON CHRISTMAS EVE. So we all ran and helped them move in. That made it the best Christmas Eve! Afterwards the mom came up to us and said, "Where did you people come from?!" She was so grateful and said that we must have been sent from God. We said, as a matter of fact we were. We were able to introduce ourselves as missionaries and invite her to come to the visitor's center. It made us all so happy (:

Matching jammies from the Wildes!

On Christmas we woke up at 6:30 as usual and in order to keep an obedient daily schedule did our 30 minutes of exercise, which you may guess I was not too pleased to be doing. Stretching counts right? That's the second to last Christmas I'll ever be exercising! (Considering I have two in the field.) We opened presents, has breakfast with the Salmons, played games, Skyped home, had dinner with the Wildes, had a HILARIOUS talent show at the visitor's center, got millions of gifts little from the senior couples, and watched Christmas For A Dollar in the theater. I do not recommend that movie at all, unless you want your Christmas to be ruined. I cried through the whole cheap thing.

On the 26th it was Sister Clark's birthday so the whole day was just one big party! We went to Olive Garden for soups and salad with the sisters in our district after district meeting. I love the sisters I serve with! There are so many different personalities, but it's always a good time. That night we went to the Salmons...again...haha and they threw her a party.

What's cool about serving at Kirtland is that I get to see my MTC friends Sister Jensen and Sister Smith all the time! There are sisters who live at sites and there are satellite sisters. Satellite sisters' area is too far away for them to live at sites so they commute to sites and sleepover one or two nights a week. Sister Jensen and Sister Smith always stay at our house and it's so fun talking to them and remembering the MTC. Sister Jensen is still the funniest person I know!

We gave an awesome tour to a set of Elders and their investigator D on the 28th. He was so prepared and I hope he gets baptized soon! (:

Speaking of baptism...

OUR INVESTIGATOR J IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Read it and weep people!

Sister Clark and I have been working with J since I came out, but she has always been taught by the Elders. She has been so prepared to get baptized all along, but her mom was WAY against the whole idea. She told the Elders that she would allow her daughter to get baptized only if J studied for a year. Her baptismal date was set for 10/05/2014  -___- In a miraculous turn of events, we got the opportunity to teach J and we knew that she needed to be baptized sooner. We prayed so hard so much that her mom's heart would be softened and that she would at least agree to sit down and talk with Sister Clark and me. On Tuesday our prayers were answered. We were at sites and J called and set her mom was willing to meet with us that night! We got permission to leave sites and we rushed to her house. At first it was just her older brother and her mom bashing Sister Clark and I, but when we got the chance to testify the spirit filled the room and we literally saw her mom's heart begin to change. It was the most amazing miracle I've ever seen with my own eyes. At the end of it all her mom signed the release and J is going to be baptized on SUNDAY JANUARY 12TH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Wow, Heavenly Father really does answer prayers. It was the craziest day/feeling of my life.

In other news, Sister Clark and I got hit again, we almost rolled our car on the freeway, the furnace went out, the mission is on lock down due to dangerous weather conditions so we're confined to our house for the next 3 days, we have to perform all these emergency measures, I still get sick pretty much everyday, and I'm pretty sure I tore something in my shoulder, but other than that the mission is GREAT! :D I love it and I've seen so many miracles! (:

Love you lots! 

xoxoxoxo

Sister Mohler

Another Week Down!

Another week down! Where does the time go? Last monday we went to the Smith's for a Christmas recital/party/jam sesh. It was so super fun! People performed and we all sang carols and had lots of treats. I totally want to do that some day! I also got a super nice package from Lori Burr on Monday! She sent me candy and pajamas an pens and slippers and totally went all out!
You know I love getting packages! :)

On Tuesday we slaved all morning making 12, yes TWELVE dozen cookies for a cookie exchange at the home of a less-active. As we went along making them the cookies got smaller and smaller because we were running out of dough-haha! The swap was preceded by a gourmet lunch. Sis. D lives for party planning-ha! Also, our old investigator A told us she's finally getting married and invited us to the wedding! We are really hoping to start teaching her again. We had dinner with the Johnson's and we adore them! The best part about eating with members is the funny things their kids say. We are always crying, laughing at the Johnson's. Their kids are crazy!

On Friday we ate with the Salmon's and it was so yummy as usual! Most of our dinners are amazing in this ward. Sis. Clark's Garmin broke about a week ago and boy it's been a little rough! Luckily I learned a new map reading talent! Brother Salmon lent us his Garmin to put us out of our misery so we were thankful. :) I probs could have earned my map reading merit badge, no?

On Sunday Sis. Clark gave a talk in Sacrament meeting and shared her mom's conversion story. It was really good! We also taught a lesson on reaching out to less-actives in young womens and helped them with the Good Works value experience #7. We ate dinner at the Wilde's. We love them a ton and were so excited that they signed up for us on Christmas! Their kids are so cute. Their 5-year-old and 8-year-old wrote us very sweet letters while we were there. Someone sent Sis. Clark a DVD of Liz Lemon paintings set to the song "What Child Is This?" and we have been sharing it for member lessons. It's really beautiful.

After dinner we went to the Christmas program at the Kirtland Temple. A lot of people from Historic Kirtland (us) and the Community of Christ were involved. I was lucky enough to be selected to sing a solo! I sang Away In A Manger. It was a beautiful arrangement! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I just couldn't believe it was happening. It will be something I will never forget. : )

We got the happy news that Sis. Clark and I are staying together another transfer! Yay! But sad news is that we're moving. We started at the C-Home on the hill, then moved to where we're at now, and now I think we are moving to another historic home. I hate moving, but it's so cool to live in these historic houses!

Love,
Sister Mohler

COME to the Ohio...

O-H-I-O!

12/2-12/8

I can't remember if I told you about mission conference or not so I'll tell you again just in case because you don't want to miss out!

The Monday before was P-day of course. We went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch with some of the sites sisters. It was so fun! We had them sing Happy Birthday to Sister Clark. (early) We also went to Charming Charlie's and looked around together. I got Sister Clark a cute little Christmas present. : ) That night we went over to the Salmon's and helped decorate the tree and house for Christmas. You know I love the Salmons! We all read Luke 2 and sang carols around the piano. It was a perfect P-day!
On Thursday history was made! Gathered together in the Kirtland Temple for mission conference were more full-time missionaries than ever before. It really hit me how significant that is. There we were all together, all set apart and wearing the name of Jesus Christ over our heart in the place where Moses restored the keys for the gathering of Israel to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.  Missionary work began in Kirtland! Do you understand how significant that is?!
Jesus prophesied that "the Gospel of Jesus Christ will fill North and South America, it will fill the world." That prophecy is being fulfilled today! Sitting as full-time missionaries in hundreds, we were undoubtedly joined by our ancestors; the saints who built that very temple and who launched the missionary effort to all the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints is growing to fill the world. We are indeed in those latter-days. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that we are all those favorite people that God has chosen for this dispensation. So basically if you live in this dispensation, you are God's favorite. Ha ha-just kidding! But really.
Elder Seldon of the 70 was there and he taught us that our mission began long before this life. He said, so profoundly, that the reason we are so compelled to bear witness of the Savior is because of covenants we made in the preexistence...Wow. Heavenly Father knows us so much better than we know ourselves. They gave me a renewed trust that when we are living righteously and following God's will, we will find happiness.
The Plan of Happiness is real and the Gospel is true.

Come to the Ohio...

I never wanted to serve a mission, but I was prompted by the Spirit because I promised to bear witness of the Savior before I even made it to Earth. That sounds like a heavy load for 18 and 19-year-old kids, but Elder Seldon tenderly reminded us that Jesus Christ was a carpenter for a season, the Savior of the World forever. We may feel like lowly carpenters, sometimes I'm sure we all have, but remember that example we are following...the Savior of the WORLD, even Jesus Christ. Pres. Haymond, the Kirtland stake president, shared verses from the Doctrine and Covenants. Something that really stood out to me was how much he, like all the speakers, talked about the miracle we are all a part of. He said that the meeting was very sacred. He testified that the souls gathered together was not a random event. The meeting of those missionaries, at this time, in the Lord's house-the Kirtland Temple-was foreordained. Kirtland will be built up again! (D&C 124:83)
 Pres. Talley of the Akron State talked about D&C 110:10, and how that prophecy was to be fulfilled! What a great time to be alive! We are all witnesses to miracles and the evidence of the truthfulness of the gospel is undeniable. Karl Anderson, Patriarch of the Kirtland Stake and author of "Joseph Smith in Kirtland" as well as "The Savior in Kirtland," echoed many of the things shared by the other speakers. He highlighted that the Savior appeared there seven times. What a holy, holy place. The spirit in that meeting was unlike any other.
Pres. Vellinga loves music so we sang a lot of hymns. Most of us could hardly sing; there wasn't a dry eye in there. There's something about music that just touches the heart and invites the Spirit. President Vellinga shared a story with us from when Elder M. Russell Ballard was here in October. He said an apostle of the Lord (Elder Ballard) grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him close, looking right in the eyes, and said, "you need to BRING MORE PEOPLE TO KIRTLAND!" It reminded us of when Elder Ballard told us Kirtland was the best missionary. People cannot help but to feel the power of the Holy Ghost of the Kirtland sites.

Pres. Vellinga  urged us to share our testimony every chance we get. I invite all of you to do the same. He said that there are more testimonies found on their feet bearing and then on their knees praying for them. It really is true if you think about it. The Lord helps those who help themselves. If we are struggling with our testimonies we shouldn't just talk about it, but get up and repeat it! I've definitely noticed that with myself on my mission. My testimony is stronger each time I use and share it. There are a lot of converts out here and I've heard them say, I had Mormon friends, but they never told me about the church until the missionaries knocked on my door! I'm thinking about that I was like "Crap! That's me!" Man I was totally that person. I hope when I get home I don't forget to let people know who I am and be a member missionary.

Something that really help me in light of how much I've been sick with different things came from sister Vellinga. She said "our bodies are frail, our minds are reluctant, but our spirits are strong. It was so encouraging to me! If we do what we can to nurture spirits the Lord will help strengthen our bodies and minds. Elder Sorenson gave the closing remarks and shared a motivating quote from Elder Robert D. Hales, "Heavenly visions will dim, but the Spirit will always testify of Jesus Christ." I know that to be true 100%! I didn't see any visions of my own eyes and the Kirtland Temple, but the Spirit proved to me over and over that He lives and that this is His church restored in the latter-days!

After the meeting all 250+ missionaries came to Kirtland and guess who gave the tours? We did of course! It was crazy! Missionaries everywhere! It was really cool because a lot of them traveled hours and hours to get here and many have never been to Kirtland! We shared with them how we teach people about the Gospel at the sites and how much their investigators would benefit from coming. It was a lot of fun, but wow some Elders get distracted so easily! It was like herding cats.
That night Elder Sorenson took those Christmas pictures of us. All I had to do was promise to trim his bushes in Logan ha ha! Last week on Thursday we volunteered at Aberdeen assisted living again and invited the others to come. We had a great time decorating for Christmas. On Saturday the 7th was the ward Christmas party and we watched the first presidency Christmas Devotional at the Visitors Center. That was so good wasn't it? 
 Love you and miss you!

Love always,
Sister Mohler

Be Meek and Lowly of Heart

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.”—Boyd K. Packer Some things I’ve learned, which could be put into any context, go through my mind, something like:

“My attitude will change as I immerse myself in this work and this gospel. I know it is NOT easy, but as I strive to work harder and rely on the Lord, I will be changed. My attitude will change.”

I have learned a lot about myself on my mission thus far. I have acknowledged behaviors that I have that need improvement. I think we all have those, but are more able to recognize them in others. Proper application of this quote could bless the lives of so many people! In their own growth, in raising children, in dealing with colleagues, or companions (LOL), etc.

I have also been trying to apply Elder Ulisses Sores’ talk from last conference, “Be Meek and Lowly of Heart.” I want you to read it, maybe for FHE or something. He talks about three things:

1.     improve day by day

2.     control our temper

3.     become humble

 I love you all and miss you so much!

Love, 

Sister Mohler

Exciting News!

I'm too excited to tell you the exciting news lol! 

I've been asked to be the only soloist for the Christmas devotional in the Kirtland temple on Sunday!!!! I didn't even volunteer but Elder Sorenson said my name was discussed and they asked if I'd sing. I'm singing Away In A Manger. Such a miracle to stand and sing where the Savior stood in the Kirtland temple, not to mention Joseph Smith. I'm so lucky! I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has given me talents and that Pres. Peterson blessed and encouraged me to develop them. I'm really nervous because I want to invite the Spirit in such a holy place, so pray for me.
-Sister Mohler

Thanksgiving

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving we went to a Thanksgiving fireside put on by the Community of Christ in the Kirtland temple. It was awesome!!! There were interfaith speakers on Thanksgiving and some readings from the Bible from leaders in the community. The Kirtland sisters did two choir numbers so we got to sit in the choir seats next to the pulpits. What a great view!

 It really doesn't matter who owns the Kirtland temple. No matter what, it is still a dedicated building, it was never un-dedicated. It was built by faithful and obedient saints and Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared there many times. Their spirit can still be felt if you soften your heart and listen. The Kirtland temple stands as a silent witness of those who sacrificed and dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ so that we could enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel and the temple today. 

On Wed. we were at sites again, but got to leave for a little bit to have dinner with the Johnson family. They invited both us and the elders over! They have five beautiful and CRAZY kids. Their 14 year old son, Luke, is an extremely talented pianist. He is the one who played for me when I sang in sacrament. While Sister Johnson was finishing dinner, Sister Clark and I make cookies! So fun (: They were so nice to have 4 missionaries over the night before Thanksgiving!

Some of Sister Mohler's favorite people

On Thanksgiving we went to the Salmon's of course! I love them! We had our studies in the morning and went straight over. We played games with the kids and had fun chatting with Brother and Sister Salmon. We ate a great and delicious dinner, complete with sweet potatoes (: Sister Salmon had to go to work so we left around 2:30 and went to volunteer at Aberdeen. We just visited with the residents for a little then headed back to Kirtland. 

We weekly planned then went to the Visitor's Center to learn a bunch of different ways to tie a scarf with all the senior sisters lololololol.... 

Then Elder Sorensen gave a really amazing devotional on personal revelation. Elder Sorenson is such a great person. He has lead an amazing life of service for the church and has a great relationship with the Lord. Whenever I need to ask him for something, I just ask him to do it whenever he has time, or when it's convenient for him. He says it's always convenient for him and that he always has time! (Which is really just not true). But I love that example of always finding time to do something for someone else.

For example, he is a photographer and offered to take Christmas pictures of all the Kirtland sisters to send home! They are so so so cute and it really brightened up this holiday time away from home for me (:

President and Sister Vellinga

The Friday after Thanksgiving was the grand opening of the nativity display and Christmas lighting ceremony. All the Kirtland sisters sang a few numbers and the mayor, Elder Sorenson, President Vellinga, and President Hayman (sp?) spoke. It was so fun and it was packed! With the flip of a switch the entire Kirtland Sites lit up with Christmas lights! Families from all over walked through the historic village to look at the lights and play in the snow then went inside the VC to admire the hundreds of nativities. Mine was a fan favorite ;) But really it was.

The number one thing I miss is wearing jeans.

-Sister Mohler