music from my mission

I had the chance to record some music on my mission, and I want to share some of it with you! You can listen to two tracks on http://thefruitofherhands.tumblr.com : "Tree of Life" was written for José’s baptism (written on the mission, recorded back at home); "I Need Thee Every Hour" was performed at Glen's baptism by Elder Clark and I. Enjoy!

2011: Year In Review

January

[the missionary training center]

February

[first day in the field]

March

[end of first transfer]

April

[tornado season]

May

[flooding / sandbagging]

June

[paris, tennessee]

July

[jose's baptism]

August

[there are no cows on sister t's island]

September

[a p-day hike]

October

[autumn]

November

[the district]

December

[skyping with family on christmas day]

my brothers

My brother Gary is my best friend. He is an artist, like me! (Except we work in different varied genres, which is fun). We are both musicians. We are only 18 months apart in age, which used to cause contention, but now is a priceless gift. My brother has been there when no one else could have been. I have called him in a panic, and he has known how to calm me down. He has come to my room in the middle of the night to check my pulse for me when I thought I was having a heart attack (I know, I know. I'm paranoid). He is my best friend, and I love him.

Now that I'm on a mission, I'm blessed to have not only 1 brother, but over 100 brothers, and I call them "elders"! I'm closer to some than others, some I haven't even officially met, but I know that any of them would serve me, or anyone, in a seconds notice. (Take note: if you need someone to serve you, call the missionaries! Serving is their full-time job for 2 years!) They are faithful sons of God, who use their priesthood righteously, and I am so grateful.

There are a couple in particular who have been a support to me when I could barely support myself. These young men have been physically, as well as spiritually tested beside me, and keep holding strong. They work with me, they learn with me, sometimes they sing with me. They are my brothers-away-from-home.

In a little while, I'll return to my dear biological brother, but I'll always be grateful for the elders who took my brother's place for just a little while.

"Guard Him, Joseph" - 21 December 2011

Why I Decided To Serve A Mission: The Complete Story

Summer 2009





The thought of serving a mission initially came to me during the summer of 2009. Initially, I entertained the thought, as I had never had such an impression or desire before. It was the big "What If!" But, as I was dating someone at the time, and I was quite comfortable with the way things were, I ultimately shrugged off the idea.

The break up happened in early autumn of 2009, and then commenced the hardest year I've ever experienced up to that point. It was one thing after another. I'd be kicked down so low, build myself back up, then get kicked down again. This happened about three times during the year. I isolated myself from others and just really, really loved being alone. If I were alone, then I couldn't hurt anyone, right? That was the reasoning, and I grew quite comfortable with that.

In the summer of 2010, driving home to California from Utah, I stopped in St. George and made a quick trip to the St. George Temple Visitor's Center. As I walked in, I noticed a lot of sister missionaries around, guiding guests and being available to answer questions. It was then that it clicked: These young women were my age. Outside of their missions, they, too were probably going to school, had their favorite movies and rock bands, and like to hang out and waste time, just like I did! They weren't perfect. They were just like me, just in a different situation. At that moment it clicked, and that idea of serving a mission came back.

One night about a week later, back in California, I knelt down to pray before bed, and asked Heavenly Father if He still wanted me to serve a mission, and that if He did, I would be willing. The Spirit was so strong as I prayed, and I knew that He still wanted me to serve. An undeniable peace came into my life as I finally made that decision.

Without telling anyone, I met with my Bishop the next week and began working on my application to serve a mission. A couple months later when they were completed and submitted, I finally told my family. In October 2010 I received my mission call to serve in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. I never would have guessed that's where I'd serve, but it was so right.


Spring 2011

Looking back, I know I was supposed to serve a mission at exactly that time. If I had gone the year before, I wouldn't have had those trials in my life to build me up to that point. If I had left even a couple months later, I wouldn't have met some people who I know I had to meet on my mission. They just wouldn't have been there, for reasons of military deployment, health issues, or whatever. The timing just would have been off. I know that God sent me on a mission to the right place and at the right time. God sees a far bigger picture than we can see, and I'm so grateful.

If you are thinking about serving a mission, pray. God will guide you. Even if a mission just isn't in the picture for you right now, there are plenty more opportunities to serve. Pray to be able to see those opportunities. They will come as you have the desire to serve!






Update: Check out these other sister missionaries' stories:
Sister Jensen (and part 2)
Sister Anderson

How surprising!

The other night Sister Anderson and I were asked what surprised us the most about serving missions. First thing out of my mouth? "How much I love it." Who would'a thought!

I remember returned missionaries saying things like "It was the hardest two years of my life... and I LOVED it!" and I would think "No, thank you." The phrase "HARDEST TWO YEARS OF MY LIFE" isn't really the best sales pitch ever.

But here I am! With such a stereotypical phrase drooling out of my mouth like "How much I love it!". I make myself sick. In the following seconds, I did a quick "WHO AM I" in my head, whimpered a little, then channeled my inner Julie B. Beck and smoothed the whole thing over with a smile.

Really, though, I love serving a mission. When else can I be such an active instrument in God's hands? When else can I dedicate myself 24/7 to serving my Savior? Even in the darkest times, I am grateful because I am here. I am grateful to be able to see how far I've come emotionally and spiritually. I am grateful for the woman I am becoming.

And yes, I am that missionary, and I LOVE IT!

Change, change, change!

After a beautiful three weeks in Dickson, Tennessee, it was time for me to go. On Monday night we got the phone call, and by Wednesday afternoon, we were on our way to "transfers" (read: we just switched up companionships and went on our merry ways).

Of course, despite my being emotionally stable and relatively un-stressed about the task of packing everything up, by Wednesday morning my body felt the added stress of the impending change. And by Wednesday night, I was out. Thursday morning a slight body ache became a little more mysterious (read: I don't know what's going on with my body), and here we are now. In a few minutes, we will begin the 1.5 hour car ride back to Dickson so that I can sing with my former missionary companion at a funeral we committed to attend (before we knew that we would no longer be companions). Then back to my new area. Missionary work sure is exciting!

Amidst these constant up-and-downs, I think back to the sons of Mosiah, who were missionaries in the Book of Mormon:

"And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God...

And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.

And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth...and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God." (Alma 17:9-12)

I may be tired and slightly torn, but I am happy. I am grateful to be serving in my new area with my new sweet companion. And if nothing else, I'm grateful that I probably won't get into the situations that the sons of Mosiah did (like being stripped naked, bound, and cast into prison! If you thought the scriptures weren't exciting, think again!)