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!! :)

Temple Square and Halloween

Hi Family!!

HOW ARE YOU?!?!

I am doing great!

This week was INCREDIBLE!!

Let me start off with a quote,

"The capacity to be grateful is a blessing, for the possession of which we should be further grateful. ...The man with much finds it easier to forget his dependence than he who must ask with each succeeding day of need" -Jesus the Christ, pg 240

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It completely set the tone for not only the upcoming week, but for this transfer, and for the season which is well on its way.

This week I was able to go up to Temple Square with President & Sister Miller, the APs and about 15 other missionaries. We were on the train at 6:30, did a session in the Salt Lake Temple at 8 then went to the Church History Museum, the statue of Christ, and another visitor's center. I loved it.

It was so peaceful and made me appreciate all I am serving and those I have been able to serve with and those I will be serving with.

The Temple is such a wonderful place of reflection and I am so grarteful to be able to have 4 available to us here.

What a blessing!

Well, I always run out of time to answer your questions so:

-yes today is halloween & we have a mission wide "conference & activity" last Christmas they had Elder Holland then the next was Elder Bednar, so someone is coming to speak to us, then we go and can watch disney movies or play volley ball or basket ball or just hang out with the other missionaries so that we are all accounted for...aka lockdown, but don't tell pres. because he sent out an email last week saying it is not to be called that haha

-my uclers (I had at least a dozen or so) still exist & they will be doing the procedure again in December, but are manageable...my foot hurts at times, but is manageable...just know the Lord still wants me out here because I am well able to endure and keep going! :)

President & Sister Miller still call & check up on me often, but really I am doing just fine :)

-We do not ride bikes because Sister Stinnett does not feel comfortable doing so

-It is REALLLLLY cold, maybe today we will have time to go get a coat, last week there was no way there was time but THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

-I really do miss Sister Pousima, we got to be really close but thats why I love this mission so much! I saw her at the train station Thursday then last night at Sandra's BAPTISM!!! and tonight at lockdown!! She is doing great though! (Write her a letter, she doesn't get much mail)

There is just a bonding that happens when all you have is eachother, especially with health problems going on like I had over those 12 weeks with her. I appreciate her more than ever and am SO grateful for her and OF COURSE the Elders who were in my district at that time, but I am also so excited for this transfer and to see what the Lord has in store for me out here in West Jordan! There is specific reasons for me to be here at this time. I am learning to rely on God's timing, God's will and know that He is always near. I trust him no matter what the outcome.

As I said, Sandra was baptized last night by her son Mario. He turned 16 on Tuesday and was ordained a priest at church yesterday morning. It was the greatest experience to be there and to have helped her know her Father in Heaven.

We sang with ELDER CROWTHER and ELDER ALEMAN!!!! a song the 4 of us put together last transfer...it was I like to look for Rainbows & I'm trying to be like Jesus while Elder Aleman played the guitar!

It was such a special evening and I am so glad I had the opportunity to attend, well I wish I had more time to write.

One of the Elders sends home a list every week of investigators & less actives for his family to pray for, so since dad asked, here they are:

Ian

Clint

Sherrie

Dave

Ciahlee

So thanks :)

I will print pictures off today and mail them home, we can not upload pictures on these computers

but looks like things are going great!

don't let david drive my car ;)

love you all...go squeeze those kiddos for me

& give April my love and support too!!

Have a great week and remember to be grateful for gratitude.

LOVE YOU

xoxoxo

Sister Givens