Day after Christmas Letter

What on earth?

You went bungee jumping??

MOM!

Haha, thanks for the letter!

It was SO much fun to hear from you all last night!!!

Sister Pousima can't wait to come meet you all!

Christmas was so special this year.

I am so grateful to be in the greatest mission on the PLANET!

For Christmas Eve we went to the Mission Office for our Mission Conference & Celebration...aka lockdown.

We heard from Elder Madsen and Elder Hamilton (they work in the mission office)

and had musical numbers from all the zones, then got to watch It's a Wonderful Life or Polar Express or just go in the gym & chat...so we went & visited.

It was just amazing to hear how the Gospel effects so many people, in whatever age, lifestyle, stage, etc. of life they may be in.

Heavenly Father truly knows each and every one of His children perfectly.

He knows what we need to do, where we need to be, and who we have the potential to become.

This Christmas I have been able to know my Savior more than I ever thought possible. I love him. I can not even begin to express how grateful I am for him, and the example he set for each and every single one of his brothers and sisters.

This has been extremely helpful to come to realize through having to make some pretty tough decisions, but I know I can trust in my Father in Heaven & that he will guide me to exactly where I need to be.

Christmas day, we are allowed to go anywhere in the mission just as long as we are with our assigned companion...so Sis Nethercott came with me to Sandy.

We went to Sonia's for breakfast because she is.....CANCER FREE!!! I wasn't sure if I passed that on yet or not!!! Elder Crowther texted on Dec 6 and told me the FANTASTIC news, but I am not sure if I had told you yet! Anyway, she has us all over for breakfast yesterday. And by all I mean ALL (Sisters: Pousima, Hill, Brant, Baime, Redford, Poango, Lupe, Nasakka, Nethercott & Givens and Elders: Crowther, Schmidt, Aleman, and Rose) woo! And of course she couldn't let us leave empty handed so each of us got boxes and bags and stockings all filled to the brim...let's just say I am going to need another suitcase or two.

After that, we went to the mission office because I made a build-a-bear for sis pousima for Christmas & she left it there...of course so we attempted to go rescue her & had no luck. Then we went to Shellies & visited with my favorite lady! She is doing well!!! I love her & miss her guts!

Then it was off to the Sims (hosea & nanette) who got baptized in October, they had us over & we had stockings waiting from Santa that were as big as our bodies...holy cow.

We stayed and played games with the kids and had lunch then went to the Mayo's (Shaq & Heather) Reid & Meade taught them in Sandy East Stake.

Then we went out to West Jordan to see the Jones who Sister Hill and I both knew from out there.

Then dinner at the Johnsons, skyping at the Whipples, a drop by back at nanette's, and a RC in West Jordan on the way back to our house in Kearns...how about Sis Po lives all the way in Draper & we were already late...haha but we all made it back home safe & sound, tired and worn out.

It was a great holiday.

The Kuay's are doing better than ever! The girls are all getting baptized on the 14th, we had a few lessons with them this week and we went & did service & had dinner with them as well! They are so much fun, and have been so prepared, it is amazing to be part of it. I am truly, truly blessed.

I love you all, it was GREAT to see you and hear your voices.

Keep moving forward.

I love ya.

Sister Givens

  Our District at Temple Square

E Meade / E Hipp (DL) / S Givens / S Nethercott / E Boldivar? / E Jolley (from Kirkland!!)

 

me & my mama po!!!

  we took a big mission wide photo, check the mission blog I think they are sending it there?

anyway...we got bored on the bleachers haha

 Elder Thomas! - My DL from West Jordan

  E Meade / E Reid / S Nethercott / S Givens / E Raymundo (ZL from Sandy)

 Elder Dad!! Elder Crowther...he leaves this Transfer :(

 E Reid & E Crowther

 

Family Photo...sis pousima did a poly dance in the talent show haha

  The Sapoi boys!! (the family we live with)

Aleki (Conner) 6 / Toa 8 / Kingston 10

  our cute room! & that's the quilt sis hottie made me :)

To Everyone:

 

"...a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness that they had seen. Shephers would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph - and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby - that's how Christmas began." -Elder Jeffery R. Holland.

I love having the opportunity to be here on a mission, teaching about that little baby, our Savior. This is such a special opportunity to be here during this season. It makes me reflect on what REALLY matters in life.

This is a typical question we ask when we are out, the conversation 99% of the time goes like this...

we see a little kid walking, I ask, "Who is Christmas all about? Santa or Jesus?"

They respond ALWAYS with "SANTA!" ...or add in their own alternative answer and say, "PRESENTS!!" and I just yell back, "NO!" Then explain it is about the birth of the Savior, not about the commercialized ways of Christmas which of course add plenty of Christmas cheer, and fun memories, but we can do better.

- President Kimball stated, "let us give our time, ourselves, & our talents to the things that really matter NOW, the things which will STILL matter a thousand years from now."

I love that.

With today being what would have been Jacob's 15th birthday, I reflect on how grateful I am for an Eternal Family, for the sealing power of the Temple, and how untied and close our family is. I am grateful for the examples of so many in my life, whether older or younger, I am truly grateful to be able to grow alongside each and every family member for life, and through the eternities. And, as it goes for every year, I take this day to reflect on how I can better my own life, my own choices to align them with what my Father in Heaven would have me do.

President Kimball goes on to say,

"Even though circumstances in the world at times become discouraging, our task, not alone in the Christmas season but ALWAYS, is to be of good cheer. The Lord so often counsels us to have cheerfulness in our lives.

"And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer little Children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you." (D&C 61:36)

"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the Living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come." (D&C 68:6)

The Lord will be in our midst, he will be with us and stand by us and lead us."

There is cheer in every aspect of life if we look for it!! THAT, I know without a doubt.

It is strange to not be there for Christmas, but I know I am where the Lord needs me to be.

This week has been great!

We had a mission wide conference on Friday, the 16 where Bro. Turley, the Church Historian come and talk to us about the Life of Joseph Smith.

I am extending to you what President Miller asked us to do, read Joseph Smith History. Learn from this man. Become his friend. Pray to learn more than you have before of this man and what he did for us and the impact it has in our life.

Then read D&C 135:1-3.

Anyway, as for other things, the Kuay's are slowly all coming to Church and have set dates to be baptized :)

I LOVE that family!!!

We are teaching a new family, but this week will be crazy so who knows when we will get a chance to meet with them until next week.

We have another mission activity on the 24, then Christmas they haven't told us anything...we may be allowed to go anywhere in the mission, we may not. If we are, Sonia (from Sandy) is having our old district over. We will have to wait & see. They are doing mail pick up on Christmas Eve, so at least we will get it before Christmas!

We went & saw the lights at Temple Square on Wednesday!! It was so much fun!

Other than that, yes there is more and more snow every day...yeayyy

my health is still kinda rocky, they aren't sure what is going on. I've been having fevers lately which is a big problem...so they moved up my appointment from Friday to Wednesday & most likely have to get a catscan.

Just lots of prayers and faith that it will pan out how the Lord would have it.

As for Britane, we as missionaries are to extend baptism by the second lesson..but always as the Spirit directs. I promise you she has been prepared from even before you had met her, it's just now up to her agency & God's time that it will all happen. Keep being her friend. I know she loves you and is SO grateful she has you along the way. Maybe read about Joseph Smith with her, ask the Elders if they have the new restoration dvd to show...if not I will send you a copy (it's the one they show at Temple Square)

It's kinda cool that Elder is from here...make sure you take care of him & help them to have a member present at EACH lesson :)

I think that's all for now, talk to you on Sunday.

Ps-I will probably call around dinner time (5pm your time) want to make sure everyone is there.

Our mission doesn't allow skype, bummer. But I'm excited to hear your voices!

Love ya!

Have a Merry Christmas!!

Sister Givens

 James & Lam Kuay

 Sister Nethercott

Dona Stamm

Hello again :)

Well, now you get an overload of what is going on in Kearns

Lam and James got baptized Saturday!!

It was so neat, they have SO much support from the ward already! And the wife, Martha & the daughters, NyaNya and Chudier (13 & 16) came to Chruch yesterday and LOVED it!! THey want to be baptized on Christmas, Merry Christmas to us! They have had friends talking to them about the Church for over 6 years, and James KNEW way back in 2005 that in 6 years missionaries would show up at his door & that he would be ready then to be baptized. WOW. I am honored to be here and to know their family. I instantly fell in love with them, and MOM you have GOT to meet their youngest one day...he is SO SO SO cute! His name is Tim (16 months) but he is to die for, they all are!! They all want to learn more about the Chruch and come together as a family then go to the temple and be sealed next year, so I will be here!! :)

What an awesome Christmas!

So we definitely have a teaching pool now...we have almost 20 investigators. Needless to say, we are tired. BUT for good reason!

We went over to Fransciou, she is from Sudan. By the way my companion and I cover the Swahili assignment ((as I am told)) ...I know right? What on earth? And it's over the whole mission. So James, he speaks 4 languages and one is Swahili so that is a blessing! And we are working with the Elders in the Salt Lake North Mission who cover the Swahili branch, so we work with lots of interpreters and President Miller I guess is working on getting us books for language study. Hahahah

Never a dull moment.

BUT! Fransciou, OKAY so she is a single mom with 6 kids who we are teaching, but it's been really hard to catch her at home, but when we do she LOVES to have us over and she loves reading the Book of Mormon! She is just so busy! She works full time, goes to school full time, and is SUPER dedicated to her studies so she is always doing homework and raising her family! I just love her and know her family is on the right track.

Heidi is on date for Dec 31, but she REALLY wants to get baptized on Christmas, so we have to talk to her other family and see if that would be possible. She is 10, I don't remmeber what I have already said about her but she loves having us come over, we have a lesson with her every day and she came to Activity days with us and to the Primary activity with us this weekend!

OH! So yesterday we went to Church at the Sun Crest ward, with James and Lam (duh...they were getting confirmed) anyway, we stayed for Young Mens and Young Womens which was combined & 4 ym stood up and shared about their "Missionary Week" They went the whole week:

-church dress all day every day...school, work, everything

-early morning Preach My Gospel & Book Of Mormon studies

-no tv or texting

-praying for missionary opportunities

etc

Anyway, I thought it was SO COOL! What a blessing to be preparing early for a mission. They are great examples and it was so cool to hear how they really are preparing for those precious 2 years.

As always, I am out of time....

Glad to know you have good Elders!

make sure they are fed!

You will probably be getting an email from Sister Stamm, she lives here in Kearns & I was in the MTC with her daughter.

She came over last night & took pictures and brought us cinnamon rolls.

So, be the Sister Stamm & spoil those missionaries...make sure they feel at home!

PS-don't listen to dad, I love your hair!! It looks way cute, mom!

Mine is dead, but getting longer!

Love you

Miss you

Sister Givens

PS

Tell Adriane Happy Birthday for me on the 14th!!!

We will be at Temple Square for the lights that night, so I thought that was kinda cool! I used to take her out every year to go see Christmas lights, and now I get to go to them again on her birthday!!

Tell her I love her more than I love pie!

 

Oh no!!!

I pushed save instead of send, sorry! This was supposed to go out dec 5 :)

Hello Everyone!!

I am alive and well! Well, better!!

This week was INSANE but so good!

After I wrote you, I called the hospital & they didn't have any openings until JANUARY! Then I told them how much pain I have been in & they scheduled me for the next morning for an 11am procedure (have to be there at 10am for prep) Went on with the day, Sister Miller called and asked what happened with the call & I told her then she said, "Sister Givens you can NOT miss District Meeting!" So, the next morning I had to call and cancel...anyway, long story short I am scheduled for the 20th, so only a couple more weeks. Blech.

After District Meeting I got the call that I was being transferred to Kearns with Sister Nethercott (she is from Montana) and I ADORE her!!!

Elder Meade and I are in the same district again, so that is fun!

AND we found FOUR new investigators our fisrt day out here (wednesday), who all asked US if they could be BAPTIZED! Not just taught, but baptized! It blew my mind! Then on Friday we went to a ward party to meet more members & there a lady came up to us and asked if she could meet with us because SHE AND her son want to be baptized! Then yesterday we found 3 more investigators! We are BUSY! But it is a WONDERFUL place to be!! It's known as the ghetto of our mission, but I don't even care. The people here are so inviting and loving and it is such a blessing!

We live with the Sapoi family, the mom is Samoan & the dad is Tongan...it makes me miss Sister Pousima haha and they have 3 boys & she is due with the 4th in just a couple weeks! It's noisy and busy but i LOVE it! It makes me feel like home :)

Sienna's baptism was great! Sister Woodruff came to Kearns and picked me up, since I had only been in the area for 3 days at that point and didn't know anyone. But we had a great visit on our way out to Sandy! I just love her! She said she is more than willing to take me out to the hospital on the 20th as well if I need her to. Anyway, Sienna was more than ready to be baptized! (She is the 14 year old who was a sister referral that Sister Pousima and I started teaching a few months back) Her friends are all LDS and were jsut such GREAT influences on her that she wanted to be baptized & have this gift in her life as well. See what an influence a friend can have!!

The Spirit was so strong & was such a great kick-off for the day! Sister Nethercott stayed back in our area & taught James & Lam Lesson 1, and put them both on date to be baptized this coming Saturday! So since we only met him on Wednesday we have a lot of work to do, but they have been going to church for a month and are MORE than ready to be baptized NOW they say :)

After Sienna's baptism Sister Pousima and I just stayed in Sandy (Since the Mission Conference was right down the street that afternoon) so we went to Sister Roper's (our old land lady) OH YEAH! Sister Pousima finally got transferred out of Sandy! She had been there 11 months! So now she is in Draper, so it was good to go back and visit with her!

Then before we knew it, it was time to go down to the Mission Office, it was a great experience Elder Christofferson started with, "Wow. It must have taken some extra effort to get each and every one of you here at this time...some extra homework up in heaven to get you all to be here, together." He went on & told us how we are here for very specific reasons with our Mission President, our companion, the members, our investigators. All which I have heard before, but it was a really neat experience & touched me differently this time.

I was sitting with Elder Crowther (my dad) and Elder Aleman (my uncle) who were in our first district & thinking about how all of us really did become family, how much effort it took to get each and every one of us out here at this time to strengthen and edify one another. Especially since I remember Elder Aleman from when I was what...8? 9? years old? When he didn't even know about the church & somehow I remembered him all these years...well this is why! Look at us now! Both serving missions?! what the heck?

Then it took me to those we are teaching, especially James & Lam. How they are ready NOW and what it took to get them to this point, what it took to get Sister Nethercott and I here at this time to teach them.

There are these moments everywhere in life & just makes me realize how much our Heavenly Father truly does know us!! Edler Christofferson said, "Your Heavenly Father loves you PERFECTLY, he would love you no different if you were his only child."

He knows where we need to be. Who we need to be with. (Which is ESPECIALLY true with our family all being adopted) Look how much effort it took to get the Givens all together! Heavenly Father is smart.

I wish there was more time to write and tell you all the tender mercies and MIRACLES Sister Nethercott and I have already experienced this week. This is going to be a good transfer, I can feel it. I knew right off the bat we are companions for a reason and I already love her guts. She is great!

We have felt the Spirit has been so strong, it amazes me & makes me so incredibly grateful to have it in my life as a constant.

I love you all

Sister Givens

thanksgiving with the woodruffs!!!

 the robb family (thanksgiving dinner #2) and uncle todd's twin! :)

 sister hoyt!

 sister hottie (vela)

  packing. transfers. wayyy too much stuff!

 Sienna's Baptism

  Sister Nethercott & I

 thanksgiving! in malayan? from malaysia

 this was our district out in West Jordan!

 sisters at zone conference!

zone conference jelly (aleman) po me dad

Hi Everyone!
Glad to hear Thanksgiving went well!! Sister Woodruff called us later that evening & told us all about what was going on at home. I LOVE her! I have pictures of the day, but we are at the Library so I can't send them here, maybe I will print some off today & mail them home.

YES! Nanette & Hosea did get baptized! Back on October 11!! I didn't have my camera on me that day, so Sister Pousima & I think Elder Crowther have pictures from it? I just know he was taking some, but they may or may not have been on his camera. But I hear they are doing great!

This week is a big one coming up!! Sister Estevez (one of the Coordinating sisters) came on an exchange with me this last Friday & it was SO great! We found FOUR new investigators & I learned SO much and had a ball with her!! She is from the Dominican Republic, but was raised in Philidelphia & was baptized just 4 years ago, but she had the STRONGEST testimony & I completely adore her! It was such a fun experience! So now we get to start teaching those 4, and the other 3 we were able to find this week! Along with transfers on Wednesday, a mission wide conference with Elder D. Todd Christofferson on Saturday, Sienna's baptism on Saturday!!!, Stake Conference with Elder M. Russell Ballard coming on Sunday, and the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday evening! Whoo! Along with everything else medical happening this week, it's going to be a busy one to say the least.
AND our zone gets to take a trip up to Temple Square to see the lights! I LOVE the Christmas season out here, we have begun showing Joy To The World to all those who we are teaching out here, and I love how much it brings the Spirit in when talking about our Savior.
We are teaching a girl named Emily (9) & her mom, Tara. Both are getting baptized on December 18! They are just such special people who TRULY have desire to know their Father in Heaven & follow their Savior's example. Emily is reading the Book of Mormon like CRAZY & Tara just has such a pure desire to change and live the gospel. It's such an incredible thing to watch their testimonies grow.
I wish I had more time to share what is going on out here. I love you all & can't wait to hear from you next week!
Sister Givens
Oh! & thank you for your thanksgiving card & the little message from Stand a Little Taller, I used it like crazy last week!!
AND i LOVED the pictures!!!!!
They are getting so big!! Send more :)
xoxoxo

Happy Thanksgiving

MOM!!

Your letter made me bawl!

But before i go on any further, let me begin with a quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

"We should thank God for our adversities, pray for guidance, knowing it is all part of the plan."

This week has been such a challenging one, but your letter has brought me so much peace at mind. I LOVE that you have been able to be there for Britane this week, it truly does make SUCH a huge difference when you have a supportive member. It makes all the difference to the investigator and to the missionaries. I can't even express how thankful I am for a mom who is willing to not only live her testimony but to be willing to open her mouth and share what she knows to be true.

I love ya mom.

And what a tender mercy from the Lord regarding the surgery! I have been fervently praying that it wouldn't cause a huge financial burden, and I am so so grateful to my Heavenly Father for answering our prayers. Sister Miller is calling around to find a hospital which takes our insurance, and the only one they can find is outside the mission. Maybe you can email her that the one I went to really does take our insurance? I'm not sure what would be best, but I do know my body is NOT happy with me right now and they want me to get in ASAP. I was not able to go see the doctor this week because my companion had an appointment at the same time, but Sister Miller talked to him for me and discussed what would be best. But, thank you mom. I really really appreciate you.

Going on with Elder Oaks:

"Let us give thanks for what we are and the circumstances God has given us for our personal journey in mortality...When we understand that God OFFERS us OPPORTUNITIES for blessings and blesses us THROUGH our OWN adversities AND the adversities of OTHERS, we can understand WHY he has commanded us again and again to thank him in ALL THINGS."

In President Miller's email this week he stated:

We Are Thankful
Sister Miller and I are thankful for all the things you good missionaries do each week. We are thankful for your commitment to the work of the kingdom. We are thankful that you are striving to become 100% Preach My Gospel Missionaries. We know that when you talk with everyone with whom you come in contact and ask for referrals every time you teach you will double your success. We have learned that when we talk with people rather than to people our success increases. Some say that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This really applies to our missionary work. Thank you for adopting Preach My Gospel and then adapting what you have learned to your various circumstances. Remember, our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ and be baptized. When we meet people throughout the week we only have one moment to make a first impression and after those 20 seconds the opportunity is gone. Preach My Gospel and the scriptures direct us to speak of the Doctrine of Christ. D&C 33:6-12. Later, as we teach, we must qualify and find out where our investigators are so we can take them to the Sacred Grove.
We are thankful for those who have developed a vision for this great work and then plan to accomplish it. We look at many planners and see that every half hour is planned with backups and we feel to thank the Lord for all of you who understand this principle. We are thankful for all of you who arise at 6am and follow the missionary schedule with exactness. Who, when they return at night tired, still muster the energy to plan for the next day before going to bed. They understand that they get what they go for. Thank you for making up your minds to serve all the time no matter what the cost.
This is also the season for colds, headaches, injuries and other events that put you on the side lines. To all of you, thank you for enduring these trials with a smile on your face and a determination to overcome these setbacks and serve fervently. We are confident the Lord loves you and will soften these trials and setbacks as you call upon him for comfort. We all have moments when our faith wavers, but a great big thank you for those who then diligently search the scriptures for the strength of the word to flow into your souls. Some of you have made some errors in judgment and may have acted foolishly. Thank you for those of you who have repented of your mistakes and are pursuing a course that will lead you to joy and happiness.
We are thankful for those who have looked within and have done all they can to be obedient and still feel they have not had the success they had sought. Our hearts and admiration go to you who, in these difficult circumstances, do not give up but rather redouble your efforts to show the Lord how much you love Him.
Thank you for the love and respect we feel from all of you as we serve you in the Salt Lake City South Mission. We pray for your success, we pray for your happiness; we pray for your joy and we pray for your conversion. Thank you for letting us serve you for when we are in your service we serve the Lord. Love, President and Sister Miller

It strengthened my faith to know that I am to be thankful for the state of health I am in, because it strengthens me.

Just as is states in 3 Nephi 10:10

"And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into JOY and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer."

Sister Pousima told me to always remember 5 little words when things get hard they are, "it will all pan out."

There is still so much to tell you, I wish I had time.

Sister Miller just called so I have to hurry & finish so I can get a couple other things done for her today.

I am so excited for Thanksgiving, we are no longer allowed to go anywhere in the mission, so no sister pousima :( but we are going to a family who has 2 kids out in Russia and Paris serving so they wanted us to join them!! (ASK THE SISTERS AND ELDERS IF THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO!) Then we are going to the Robb's (the ones who remind me of Uncle Todd & Aunt Licia) so at least I won't feel too far from home :)

And yes, I remember our white Thanksgiving perfectly!

I carry the picture of all us kids pilled in the snow/dog pilled on Crystal around with me in my scriptures (to show my family & to prove that seattle does get snow) haha love you and miss you!

Keep me updated on how the lessons go!!!!

It makes it feel like you aren't too far away when I hear you are involved with the sisters and THAT I am grateful for.

Enjoy Thursday! Put my picture at the little table with the trio :)

hahaha

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Sister Givens

ps-thanks for the package & cards!!! I will pick them up from my zone leaders at 2:30, but i really do appreciate them :)

I've got the best family!

Love ya!

pps-i'm going to the Temple tomorrow!!!

Be a Pig

Mom, today is a rough day.

This week has been a really trying one...but my Heavenly Father loves me and lines my days with tender mercies.

I have been more sick this week than I have in a long time, and in all honesty I really was missing Sister Pousima...

I love Sister Stinnett, but it is just different dynamics. We went along with our week, trecking through the days until we reached friday. Zone Conference. We have Zone Conference with 3-4 zones at a time, and guess who one of the other ones was...SANDY ZONE! It was a great opportunity to be with Sister Pousima, Elder Crowther, Edler Aleman, and Elder Reid again!

Sister Pousima wrote me a letter and inside put a big sheet of bubble wrap with a note on it that says, "I know you're rock hard, but just in case. ;)" She goes on to say, "Whatever you're facing right now, easy as 1,2,3. You are TUNDRA, 'Like a Rock!'...then quotes 'My people must be tried in all things...to receive the glory that I have for them.'...He has great confidence in you & with good reason! Just know and remember that these things shall give theee experience."...see. Best trainer EVER!

Anwywho, at Zone Conference Elder and Sister Ellis (he is of the 70) came and spoke to us and it was such an uplifting day! (Until Elder Brimhalla gave his farewell testimony and we all lost it..I can't believe he is already leaving!)

Other than that, we got a new hold on our vision for our missions, the vision of the missonary we want to be.

This is what President Miller sent as a recap of the Conference:

Be Who You Are, But Be a Pig
It seemed appropriate to review what we learned in our mission tour with Elder and Sister Ellis. You will recall that Sister Miller urged all of us to be like the pig and sacrifice our all for the work so we could receive all the blessings the Lord has promised. These two years are the years of your full consecration.

I shared with you that we should be like Samuel and not let any of the words of the Lord drop to the ground. We are having great success in our mission but I am confident we can even do better. Just one more door, one more call, one more visit, one more OYM before the day is done will make the difference. Even Moses got discouraged at times with the children of Israel when he asked the Lord to take him as they complained about eating manna each day. With somewhat of a sense of humor the Lord promised quail until it came out of their nostrils. Elias showed his servant that as great as the Syrian army was, “they that are with us are more than they that are with them” as he opened the eyes of his servant to see all the hosts of heaven surrounding the enemy. These blessings can only come to us as we follow the sons of Helaman with strict obedience. We show our love to the Lord by our obedience and He, in turn, promises us blessings. D&C 31:5

Sister Ellis spoke about Faith in Every Footstep. That as we have faith as a grain of mustard seed we can do anything we put our mind to. Even the apostles needed to ask the Savior for more faith.Luke17:5

Elder Ellis taught us that if we have done it before, we can do it again. If we have baptized a family we can baptize another family. We must expect miracles if we are going to increase our faith. He quoted Elder Packer as saying that “Preach My Gospel was designed beyond the veil and put together here”. Don’t let Satan bind your tongue as he did Joseph’s. Open your mouth.

Lastly, don’t forget Elder Stephen Allen and the Spudnuts. Have vision, set goals (which show the faith you have in your vision), plan, act, and evaluate. If we plan for the conversion of an investigator we must plan everything that needs to happen for that investigator to embrace the gospel. Once done, you can decide in your weekly planning what you will do each day for that investigator.

Anyway, I do not have time to go over everything that was said, but I LOVED what Sister Miller told us.

She talked about ham & eggs/pigs & chickens.

She said chickens donate eggs, but pigs sacrifice all they have. They give it their ALL, their WHOLE effort.

Be a pig.

Give this mission your ALL.

And that is exactly what I am doing, giving it my absolute all, because that is what my Savior gave for me.

(And yes, AL & Anni..this was in a grey's episode ;) haha)

Anyway, it was such an uplifiting day in these last few weeks of trial, but mt head is still head high and I am trying my hardest!

Glad to hear your talk went well!

I had our family on my mind all day yesterday...we went to dinner with the Robb family. He is the YM President in one of the wards we are over (ps we have dinner with members everyday from tuesday-sunday) anyway, we were asked to come teach the teachers & priests yesterday & he was standing out in the hallway waiting for us to arrive & honestly, I thought it was Uncle Todd. They look SO MUCH ALIKE! & the dinner we had, aunt licia would LOVE...anyway, he talks/acts/everything reminded me of Uncle Todd-so, let him know I love him and am thinking about him.

As for Thanksgiving, we are able to go anywhere in the mission if we are invited. Sister Pousima called me yesterday and is asking if I can go on an exchange with her in my old area so I can spend some part of Thanksgiving out in Sandy, and mayyybe with our whole old district which i would LOVE. I will have to let you know.

Otherwise we will make the rounds out here in West Jordan.

Hmm...not much else going on, we are trying to find people but it has been really difficult to, BUT we are not giving up!

Good to hear from you, give the family my love.

Things will pick up

:)

Love you so so so much!

Love,

Sister Givens

SO many things to tell you!
We are here at the new Church Headquarters Family Search Center out here in the valley...it is HUGE! This elderly couple, the Holts come here all the time and want to help us out with whatever family history they can, so they took us out here to get a 8th generation pedigree chart of our family printed and a couple other things. I was able to go up to Salt Lake again this week, and LOVED it! I keep thinking about Grammy and how she served her mission out in the Family History Center in Temple Square & about her life. She is just such an example to me and I am grateful for her dedication to go and serve a mission.
This week has been full of life lessons...and SNOW! Last week we went to dinner and to "Garden Village" a quaint little shopping center full of harvest decor. Sister Vela (aka Sister Hottie ((vela=hot in tongan)) (She is the one who made the quilt spontaneously & now she called last night and is taking me to get better boots for snow today) Anyway she took us out for the afternoon on Halloween and then to dinner and as we were sitting there, I felt impressed to go stop at burlington coat factory as you suggested..so we made a pit stop and the 2nd one I tried on was great and warm and cozy! Anyway, it was definitely inspired because it is FREEZING here! I just keep thinking of Lindsey...I mean Sister Johnson out in Taiwan in the humidity and riding a bike and then I realize I am grateful for where I am and KNOW it is where the Lord needs me to be serving.
Mom, I LOVE your letters, they are always filled with such great spiritual insight. I wish I could have been there for Anni's lesson!! That sounds incredible! Just tape record it next time :)
President Miller called us the other night and had us come over and chat with him...he's known about my stomach hurting lately and so we talked on how I can help myself to heal and how to apply the Atonement in every aspect. We worked out a new plan. he gave me a blessing and we were on our way. I am so grateful for him and Sister Miller & Sister Miller 2...I wish you could meet them.
Yesterday I bore my testimony in a couple of the sacrament meetings, and as a missionary you can typically "keep it together" however, yesterday this was not the case. I got up there and reflected how much the Savior had played a role in my life, but especially this last week.
His example. His life. His completely unconditional love for us, and how he CHOSE to suffer so that we can not only return to him, but so that he knows COMPLETELY how to succor us best, to run to our aid and help us ENDURE the burden best. To know how to help us most in our times of despair. I am honored to wear his name over my heart every day and rejoice at the opportunity to invite MY brothers and sisters to come along on this journey and follow him.
This week I had a neat experience! We were walking down to an apartment complex we have in our Stake, the whole time of our walk (it took about an hour to get there) I was looking for people to OYM...to talk to and we got squat! So as we are turning into the apartments I looked for someone...NO ONE in sight. So I put my head down and pleaded with my Heavenly Father to find someone, someone who has their heart ready and prepared for this message that we can talk to. Promising I would talk to whomever I saw...I looked up and there was a boy on the curb! Boom. done. So I marched up, asked him if he had ever thought about God as his loving Heavenly Father, asked him if he would follow Jesus Christ and read the Book of Mormon...promising it would change his life and that we would come meet with him to help him come closer, and he said...YES! woo! His name is Nisho and we are going over on Wednesday!
SUCH a testimony builder and tender mercy of the Lord. I finished and started the Book of Mormon again this week, and it is amazing how many things I am picking up that I had never noticed before! I absolutely LOVE having studies each morning. It makes SUCH a difference in my life!
This week had been great, out teaching pool is definitely a teaching puddle, but I have faith it WILL be turned around soon. We are working hard and giving all we can to the Lord, and that's all you can do. To follow His will and give it your all.
I love you all!
Mom, you will do GREAT this week!
AND I am so proud you went to pick her up for the activity!!
You are the members we pray to find who will HELP get those people back!
They truly make all the difference.
There was a lady yesterday who hadn't come to church in over 10 years who called her VT yesterday and said "can I come to church with you?" because she trusted her. She loved her. She didn't judge her, yet encouraged her to come closer to her Savior and yesterday, she took that leap.
It WILL happen, I promise you, if you give it all you got, miracles will happen.
We have a challenge to memorize so many scriptures per week, I chose to do 4 and see how it went...anyway one that I was inspired to memorize D&C 97:8 which states,
"And among all those who know their hearts are honest and are broken and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice, yea by every sacrifice which I the Lord shall command, they are accepted of me"
Do all you can, he WILL fill the gaps...and YOU may be that gap He fills in someone else's life.
LOVE YOU!
You all look great at the Temple!
Lainey looked so cute in her outfit!! Glad she still wears it :)
Have a great week, and keep moving forward.
Love,
Sister Givens
PS, send me pictures of the kids on Halloween!!!! I want to see their costumes!! :)