Monday, January 23, 2017

1/26/17

What's up guys? 

This week was awesome! 
We've been fulfilling our purpose all over the place and we've been doing it in the rain! 
It's been raining all week literally. On Friday and Sunday it rained so aggressively that the poor trees that are held captive in the desert of Irvine fell down. They don't have good roots. We were trapped in our apartment complex because of trees in the road. Pretty crazy. Good thing there was a nice man with a saw. He was prepared. 

So on Tuesday we were invited to present a spiritual thought at a stake wide youth activity. The catch was that afterwards we had to judge the cakes that they decorated. So basically they had all these cakes and random ingredients and they were put in teams and assigned a Book of Mormon story to depict on the cake. I have pictures but I don't know if I'll have time to send them. I'm trying to email quickly. Anyway after they were done Sister Call and I had to determine which story each cake was depicting. Whoever got the most right got to pick the winner. It was pretty fun. 

Out of all the missionaries and youth and youth leaders in the entire stake they chose us to give the spiritual thought and judge the competition. 

About 5 minutes after we get there this mom shows up and drops off her daughter and daughter's friend. She was like "blah blah blah make sure these girls don't sit by themselves and look at their phones blah blah anger anger" we were like "uuuuhh.... kk......" So about 5 seconds after the spiritual thought the girls came to us and said they were going to the bathroom. About 15 minutes later we decided nobody goes to the bathroom for that long and went to check on them. They were in there crying and having a really hard time. 

One of the girls is a recent convert. We were able to draw from our wealth of personal experience with how much it sucks to be a 13 year old girl and cheer them up a little. They ended up participating in the activity and having a great time. 

D&C 81: 5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

We had zone conference this week. It was so good. We have an amazing mission presidency. President Gallund taught us that you love what you serve. It's doctrinal. So if you have having trouble loving someone try serving them. Also be careful what you serve. If you serve something that is not of eternal value you will love that thing and you will forget about things that are of eternal value. 

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mammon means stuff fun fact.  

We met Gary J Coleman. He's an emeritus general authority. He was using the restroom in the church while we were waiting for our appointment. Pretty coooool. #JustMissionaryStuff
Unfortunately Gary J Coleman showed up instead of Kaveh so we didn't get to teach him. Sad. I would rather have met Kaveh. He came to church though. If he has even 15 minutes to spare on Sunday he will come to sacrament meeting. He's so humble. Also I like him because he's always excited to see us. 


We taught the Jamisons. They did all their homework and read the pamphlet for the restoration and came with questions. Also they've been trying to have daily family and individual prayer and praying to know. They are better investigators than I. Commitments? #WhatAreThose 
Also they received their own revelation from the scriptures and that made them more confident in the Plan of Salvation lesson. Brother Jamison was super into it this time. We assigned them to read Alma 32 and Brother Jamison was said "You know we said we're trying to get to the believing part before we get baptized. This chapter talked about how belief turns into knowledge, but it seems like there's a step before which is hope. Is that right?" He got that from reading Alma 32:21 "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." The spirit is so awesome because you can read literally any part of the scriptures and you will just learn what's relevant to your situation. They are the most amazing people in the whole world anyway. I love them. Sister Jamison talked about how her experience in college gave her this skewed perspective of the savior as like a peace activist so she needs to change that. 

It was an amazing lesson. Also Sister Call and I were super unified and we learned doctrine in the very moment that we needed it. 

Here's some Quotes from Sister Clark: 

"Realize who you are and give yourself the credit Heavenly Father does." -Sister Clark

"What you do does not stay in the confines of the California Irvine Mission." -Sister Clark

"Listen I have no priesthood power and I won't get it soon." -Sister Clark

"You have the cleanest apartment and the most thorough inspection sheet of anyone in the entire mission." -Sister Clark

Here's some other quotes: 

"Why is teenager so hard?" -Faith

"Elder Radeke you're in my top 5 zone leaders." -me 
"Wow that's pretty top, you must only have 6 zone leaders." -Elder Radeke
"Or I was just a rebellious punk at the beginning of my mission."-me 
"Or you've been that way your whole life, but so have I. That's probably why we get along so well." -Elder Radeke

"You have little wrists." -me 
"yeah!! Well!! I have little bones ok!?" -Elder Radeke

"Oh look two of my favorite people." -Elder Burk

"Oklahoma is like humble Texas." -Elder Tree 

"Somewhere in 3rd Nephi Christ says Ye all. THAT'S STRAIGHT UP Y'ALL!!" -Elder Tree

"Thank you for testimony! I understand!" -Elder Xu 

"My wife is beautiful ok? This is not like one of those situations where a dad is talking about how beautiful his baby looks, but it looks like a raisin." -President Gallund

"Ironic that all this is happening on the same day Donald Trump is being inaugurated" -Sister Call about all the fallen trees 

"Oh it's pusheen. Me and my friends draw this on everything." -Helena 

"Some girls love diamonds, some girls love cars, I just love to study." -Guiti 

"I mean I have some childlike qualities. I'd like to think. I mean it's not just stomping my feet." -Sister Jamison 

"That bunny is judging us. Get at me hoppers." -me 
*Sister Call Dies of Laughter* 

"The other sisters met you they said you were nice." -me 
"How do they know that I am nice?" -Joel 

Here's a reading assignment: 

The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord

Boyd K. Packer


A talk where Boyd K Packer is super sassy towards people who are artistic. 

Love Y'all!! 

1/16/17

Sister Clark is SO AWESOME! She has really done a lot this week to help me! This week was super weird as far as getting things done, but we've done our best. We also saw a lot of results. 
I've been struggling my whole mission with being able to show love to others. I imagine that it only became clear to me on my mission and I've really been struggling my whole life. This week I upset Sister Call and I got super discouraged. We can't really even remember what we were talking about that caused the problem, but I just felt so awful and like I hurt everyone's feelings. It's true! I just am like a huge feelings hurter! At the beginning of my mission my sister training leader told me that it's fine if you sometimes don't get along with a few of your companions because sometimes people are just different, but if you find that you don't get along with ALL of your companions then you need to turn inward because the problem is you. So I was feeling like I was a super huge problem, and the only thing I could think of was "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (1Corinthians13:1-2) Sister Clark came over the next day and talked to me, and she just knew exactly what to say. She said that I need to start by just smiling more. I thought it was so interesting because at the beginning of my mission I was well known for smiling a lot, but I guess I just forgot. It's funny how many important things you can forget in life. That's why the word remember is so frequent in the scriptures, my favorite are the words of King Benjamin, "I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God" (Mosiah4:11)

Sister Clark also told us that we have the cleanest apartment in the whole mission. #winning #blessings 

We had a miracle filled week this week. There are two main miracles. 
First off we were able to teach the Jamisons. They've been coming to church every week for almost 6 months I believe. They just have not formally taken lessons until this time. Our amazing ward mission leader was able to set up a discussion at his home. The Spirit was so strong in the lesson. Sister Jamison was open with her concerns and so humble. She said they'be been going to church because they researched all the churches and the LDS church made the most sense from a data standpoint. They shared some interesting facts about the church, for example, this is the only church were spirituality increases as level of education increases. I guess in other faiths when people become more educated they become less religious. Brother Jamison may have some more concerns, but I think they are extremely prepared. They come to all three hours of church. They said they've been coming because they love the people and it's a very practical church, but now they're looking for the spiritual confirmation. So that's why they're meeting with us! Not many people think that going to church for 3 hours and scouts and activities is practical just saying! 

On Sunday our investigators came to church. Literally all of them were there! Kaveh was there and he loved class! This is the first time he's stayed for more than sacrament meeting I think. He is probably the sweetest man I have ever met! He was just waiting for us to ask him when we could meet this week. When we finally thought to ask he was ready with the answer in .5 seconds. He's super eager to learn about the church. This area is so amazing! People are really prepared! 

The next miracle that happened was with some members of the ward. We had dinner with President Nelson and his family last night. The night before I felt prompted to ask Sister Nelson what we could share with their family. We asked and she said something about kindness. Sister Call and I thought super hard about it and when we came to deciding what we should do we had BOTH felt that we needed to invite them to have a family council. We thought that was going to be SO uncomfortable because they're an active family AND President Nelson is in the stake presidency! We didn't want to offend them, but we both felt super prompted. So we started the lesson by singing love one another and then shared a scripture about keeping the commandments. It turned out to have been the scripture they memorized in the car THAT DAY! Then we invited them to have a family council and ask each other for help solving their problems. Sister Nelson said, "You're so right, when people ask for our help we want to serve them." They were all SUPER grateful for the invitation and the message. It was so inspired! The Nelsons are probably one of my favorite families my whole mission. I just have so much love for them that I can't even explain. 

I talked to their daughter for a long time while dinner was being prepared. She's 7 and she's 3 out of 4. She only has brothers. She's been having a tough time. She was telling me about how she gets in fights with her brothers. I was like dude same. She told me that it doesn't make her feel bad when her brothers are mean to her, but she doesn't want to be embarrassed so she doesn't tell them that. Then she said that when they do something that upsets her she is mean back to them because she want's to teach them a lesson, but she feels like that's not the right way. I was like dang friend I didn't figure that out until like last Monday and you are 7. Anyway they're my favorite. 

Also!! We taught the lesson in Young Women's this week! When we planned for the lesson we both got almost the exact same inspiration in our personal studies. The topic was "why is Jesus Christ important in my life?" We decided that instead of teaching them why Jesus Christ is important in their life we would teach them how to study it out themselves. We gave a few minute lesson on how to study from the topical guide and then had them do a practice on their own. They were absolutely absorbed in their scriptures! They were studying super intently and wrote down personal testimonies and experiences. It was awesome! 
I know that the Lord will give us inspiration on how to rescue his children no matter if they're an investigator, a missionary, a stake president, or a young women's class. If Christ were here he would minister to everyone, and we are his representatives so that is our job too! 

Sister Clark one liners:

"You can't tell how hard someone else is trying. You never know!" -Sister Clark

"The beautiful thing about the atonement is we can change into whatever we want to be." -Sister Clark

"Even if you had 5 HOURS you would have enough time!" -Sister Clark

Here's some quotes: 

"Sister Atchley! You're trying as hard as you can not to smile right now. I'll just start telling Elder Boggess's horrible jokes and see how long you can last!" -Sister Clark

"I'm Elder Everett, I've been out a little over a year." -Elder Everett 
"I'm Elder Boggess, I've been out over a month." -Elder Boggess
They've been out 19 months each..... 

"If you could ride anything to battle what would it be?" -Elder Cheever
"Dire wolf!" -Elder Alstrom

"Duck" -me 
"That's actually terrifying...." -Elder Gibb
"Yeah man.." -Elder Mills
"you could ride a sloth." -Elder Gibb
"That would be incredibly safe since you wouldn't get to the battle until it was over." -Elder Mills

"My favorite part of being a missionary is eating In-N-Out" -Elder Rubon

"First of all, Sister Atchley is not a weird loser." -Elder Mills 

"Elder LuRey! Did you get a haircut?" -me 
"Of course!" -Elder LuRey

"You should read the book of Mormon looking for the number 7 you'll have a good time." -Elder Nattress 
"UUUUGGH probably NOT!" -Elder Gibb 
He has issues with numbers that are not multiples of 5. I tried to convince him that multiples of 5 are only special because we operate in a base 10 number system but he wasn't having it. 

"These talks are SO inspired" -Sister Call
"Faith is like toilet paper in that when you're a young you just know it will be in the bathroom when you go in, but when you get older and live on your own you have to work for it, it doesn't just magically appear." -Sister Johnston 

The reading assignment is this: 

Find the Lambs Feed the Sheep by Gordon B Hinckley 

Also this: 

John 14:

 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This happens right before Christ goes to suffer for our sins. I love how he says "I go to prepare a place for you." He's saying I'm fixing to go do what's necessary in order to allow you to come back and live with me in Heavenly Father's kingdom. They didn't understand what was going on though, or what he was saying. The fact that Christ performed the atonement and completed the work of the Father is the ONLY reason we are able to return to live with him. He is the way. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Him. He's the only way it could have happened. 

Love Y'all! 

1/9/17

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1/2/17

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Friday, January 13, 2017

13/26/16

How's it going! (I'm just choosing the incorrect punctuation here) 

We've been stopping by a lot of former investigators recently. It hasn't been that successful as far as increasing our key indicators. We had some scheduled appointments this week but they all fell through. Dang it guys! We rescheduled them though and we're hoping to teach our investigator, Kaveh, this week. Kaveh rescheduled his own appointment. What an amazing human being. I love when these things happen. 

We had exchanges this week. I went with Sister Johnson. It was really cool because she's struggling with a lot of the same things that I was struggling with in Mission Viejo. We were able to talk about our purpose and about what a successful missionary is. I love what Preach My Gospel says, "Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost." I love that it says your commitment not your ability. I really love the old testament prophet Ezekiel. My favorite is Ezekiel chapter 3. In this chapter the Lord tells Ezekiel that he needs to go preach the gospel. He tells him that he didn't send him on an easy mission, he sent him to his own people whose hearts are hardened because of various things so they will not hear his words. However, the Lord promises Ezekiel that through his service his testimony will become strong "as an adamant harder than flint" I love that because the same thing is true if we work hard in this mission. Heavenly Father knows it's hard to preach to  people who have everything so he is going to strengthen our testimony so that we can teach with great power and authority if we let him. 

Christmas was so awesome. Sacrament meeting was super spiritual. I love the Sabbath day and I love when the Sabbath day falls on Christmas. It's like double the excuse to be super excited about our savior! I will be excited about the savior any excuse I get. I love the gospel so much. I finished the Book of Mormon!! I've been reading it for the past year super super slowly. When I finished I accepted Moroni's challenge to pray to know. It was so amazing as I was praying I felt so close with our Heavenly Father. I felt like he was showing me how much more I'm able to understand the scriptures than at the beginning of my mission. Heavenly Father has, through the power of the Holy Ghost, taught me so many things on my mission. I'm so amazed and humbled at the knowledge I've been able to gain. I know that, as much as we are open to receive it, Heavenly Father loves to teach us so many things and pour out knowledge upon us all the time.  Also I felt distinctly that Heavenly Father knows me by name and cares about my needs and my desires. I know the same is true for all of his children. I also know that Heavenly Father is happy when we choose to learn of him and his son, and when we choose to obey his commandments. He is truly a father and not mysterious absent father figure.

Anyway the mission is awesome!! I want to send some quotes, but I also want to go home and write letters........ 

"He trained like 8 people" -Elder Mann
"I've trained 4 people." -Elder Tree
"That's like 8 I guess." -me 

"What am I?" -Lucy (age 4) 
"a mermaid?" -me 
"No a mermaid QUEEN" -Lucy

"We've only cleaned the bathtub twice." -me 
"There is no WE!" -sister Call 

"One thing I can tell about you, Sister Atchley, is that you're out here for the right reason. I mean, you are really converted to Christ... I mean am I getting this right?" -President Clark

"oh! Shout wipes! How did you know I'm a HUGE MESS?" -Elder Mills

"Oh! Eraser ends, good for planning with Elder Nattress." -Elder Mills

"Like 20 Egg!" -Elder Xu

>smells tie
>holds tie against face
>listens to tie
>rubs tie on shoe
"It was Elder Xu!" -Elder Boggess 

"Are these your missionaries? They're HOT!" -Everyone ever 

"you don't want missionaries to come to you home and be like oh hey your ketchup has.... marijuana in it or whatever." -Sister Call about how awkward it is to explain that ICE drinks have tea in them 

"you can't just suddenly decide to blow up my peeps behind my back." -me 

The reading assignment is 

John Chapter 21. Now that Christmas is over and we're not being so easily prompted and reminded of our savior we have to choose to continue to focus on him. After Christ was resurrected hevisited his apostles who had forgotten to follow him. This is what he says.
My favorite part is this:
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Love Y'all!! 
Sister Atchley
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