trekking through the snow

Backpack.  

Check.  

Hat, gloves, and walking shoes 

Check Check. Check. 

Adventure companion, Kelly.  

Check.
Need groceries?
Can't drive?
Get walking!

(Elena really stayed home with Dad)

While trekking through the snow , I reminisced about Russia.
Brought back good memories. 

Dan served in Russia too!  See?

To know more about the missionaries of our church, watch fun clip here:

Dan's working from home today as the roads are full of snow. 

Washingtonians don't know how to drive in the snow.

He's working really hard, can't you tell? :)

Elders Lindsay and Smith

Elders Lindsay and Smith are the current missionaries in our ward. 

They are helping us see how we can be better member missionaries in our community.  

To be honest, this has been really hard for Dan and I to do.  And I think we are just full of excuses:

our excuses:

"I'm a stay at home mom and I don't meet as many people any more."

"At work it's all about 'work'.  We don't talk about much else."

"We just moved to this new area and don't really know many people."

"We aren't from here."

"Most of our friends are Mormon here."

etc. etc. etc.

Today the missionaries shared thoughts about listening to the spirit and opening our mouths when opportunities come our way.  Earlier in Sunday School, I had the 14-17 year olds teach about the plan of salvation.

And now I'm thinking.  I know about Heavenly Father's plan.  I know where I came from, why I am here on this earth, and where I am going after this life.  I know that I am a daughter of a very real and loving Heavenly Father.  I know.

So why am I keeping this precious information all to myself?  I've got to step it up.

The Elders also asked if we prayed for missionary experiences this past week.  No, we forgot. 

So when they left, I taped on the wall above our bed:
(next to our gushy wedding pics that I keep in the bedroom, but for your viewing pleasure today!
Sorry. hahahahhaha)

When I talk to my children about missionary work, I don't want to only say, "When I was in Russia..."  I want to say, "When I was in Seattle..." or "Just last week..."  I used to have so much passion for missionary work.  I know that somewhere inside, I still do.  I just need to learn how to be a better member missionary.  And I will.

The mission bond

 (Zone conference.  June 12, 2004.  Vladivostok, Russia)

Whenever I see someone from my mission, I feel a special bond.  

I call it, "The Mission Bond".  And this is probably why:  

We sweated

Cried

Triumphed

Bore our testimonies 

Faced our fears

Sang hymns

in Russian even

TOGETHER

So last week when Smitty (Jeff Smith) contacted us, and told us that he had a 4 hour layover in Seattle, 

Lisa and I didn't think twice about taking him around to see the sights!  (Dan had to work, poor guy.)
We couldn't help but glimpse back to the mission field for a moment or two.
GOOD TIMES.

home = warm, happy

Yesterday I went with the missionaries, Elder Smith and Elder Knox, to visit a Lao family.  They live just down the street from me.   

Both husband and wife have limited English.  Their alphabet and numbers look completely foreign to me.  For ex: ຄັດເລືອກມາຈາກພຣະຄັມພີມໍມອນ.  I couldn't even help her find 3 Nephi 11, when Christ came to the Americas after his resurrection.  We shared our thoughts and feelings as simply as we could.  The Elders taught them about the spirit (The Holy Ghost), how it can be a warm feeling you get inside, and how it can bring happiness.

After the discussion, I invited Nally, the wife, to walk me home, so that she knew how close we lived.  I was embarrassed because the house was messy.  But when we came in, she said with a big smile, "Your house is warm!"  I was about to open the window when she clarified her meaning.  She put her hand to her chest and said, "Warm, happy". I was touched that she felt that way.  I then let her know that it was the Spirit.

I take for granted the feeling of having the spirit in my home.  Sometimes I don't even notice that it is there!  This experience encouraged me to do two things:  1) Live so that the spirit can dwell in my home.  2) Invite people over more often so that they can feel that spirit.

Every member a missionary...

I didn't mention this then, but on the plane ride back from California I had an amazing missionary experience. A man ( I can’t even remember his name) sat beside me and I started asking him some get-to-know-you questions.

These are the things I found out: He’s from the North Seattle area. Is a financial consultant. Initially studied TESOL and minored in Spanish. Wanted to go on missions. Has a wife and two kids. Loves being a parent. Kids attend a Christian private school. His family attends a Christian church, I want to say Presbyterian? Not sure.  It was fun to get to know him because, really, we had so much in common.

I started asking him more about his faith. At this point, in my heart I prayed that the spirit would be with me… I asked why he specifically chose that church, what he thinks about why there are so many Christian churches. There was a time in his life that his family attended 8 churches in search of one that was right for them. I asked if he ever thought about the LDS church. He said he hadn’t. He asked about our belief in the trinity. He thought that what I said was interesting, and inside, I think he liked my answer. I asked him if he believed in current revelation. He said no. However, he proceeded in sharing an experience with me about prayer and making decisions. He said that he felt guided in his actions. I told him about revelation, that we could all receive it for ourselves. For those within our stewardship. Our conversation went on and on, but I talked about our current prophet and apostles. Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. Prayer. The Spirit. Revelation.

I wish I had a Book of Mormon or a pass along card that day. But something inside me said that he will have a chance again. I think this man was searching for the truth, but knew not where to find it. What a great missionary moment. It triggered feelings similar to when I made bus contacts in Russia. Those were some of my favorite moments on the mission. Every member a missionary. My heart was full of gratitude that day. I was reminded that day not to be scared, but to open my mouth. For it was filled.

The beginning of a new mission

So, I had an emotional week. It's Sunday, and I'm already beginning to calm down. The thought of leaving loved ones pierced me for a second, or two. Yesterday Dan and I checked out of our apartment; Dan taking everything with him to Boise, and me, dragging one big suitcase to the MTC. My last day at work! I got into a classroom to await missionaries, and I just started crying. Super embarrassing. I didn't mean to cry; my cries come when they want to. But it was a good day at work. What a unique job--I'll never have one quite like that. I've learned a lot of things about myself from that job. I am forever grateful for my many experiences. Great memories!

I fly to CA on Tuesday, and in the mean time, I'm just visiting with friends. I been with old roommates and school friends. Good times. Good memories. I'm about to start a new life in Seattle! It is really exciting, and I really see God's hand in it all. He really does love us all and sees what is best for us. We just need to trust Him with big decisions that we make. Trust!