temple

Hey Family!

 

Sorry I didn't get to email y'all yesterday.  All the libraries in our parish were closed for staff training.  And I only got an email from Sarah too so I hope everything is going well back home, and maybe you just forgot to press send or something.  This week has been oh so good, I don't even know where to begin.  Well first, thank you for the package.  Y'all know me too well.  ;)

 

So earlier in the week the North BR Elders called and said Tania was going through the temple this friday.  I asked President if we could go and he asked if we had a ride.  So for a couple days we asked tons of people from our ward if they would be going to the temple but unforuntately no one was.  My hope was down and I thought for sure we weren't gonna be able to go.  But then we ended up having zone conference all the way over in Denham Springs which is right next to Baton Rouge on thursday.  The North Elders came up with the idea to come to Baton Rouge after the meeting since we'd already have to drive there and then work up in 1st ward area for the night and friday during the day and then go to the temple friday night with Tania.  Even though President really wanted to say no, he said yes!  Haha and here's the crazy part we didn't have anything with us but we called up the LSU sisters, since I knew Sister Andrade would be going to the temple as well and they said we could stay with them for two nights.  They let us borrow their clothes and everything!   

 

And aw man I loved being back in 1st ward.  We got to see tons of people, and it softened my heart knowing the elders have been visiting some of the people we asked.  The best part was every ones reaction.  They were so confused why I was there and thought I was back.  President put Elders in our spot and the ward definitely misses the Sisters so much, hopefully he'll be putting sisters back in at the end of the transfer!  We got to stop by and see the Wleh's, Kiwanna, Sister Mills, Sister Coleman, Sister Williams, Sister Easley, Sister Eackles, Natasha, the McCartney's, and Chandra.  Aw man I just love them all so much.  For the most part the elders have been visiting everyone, but for some reason none of them called or have stopped by to see Chandra and her family!  I was so frustrated!!  I really hope they'll be able to go see them because their family is awesome!  The temple was amazing and Tania was so happy to see us as well.  :)  I miss everyone there so much but I know they're in good hands and the Lord is watching over them. 

 

I think the greatest thing about going back was the peace that came from knowing that everyone is doing well.  I learned that every ward has their own challenges, just like everyone has their own unique challenges and it inspired me to become more motivated here in Covington.  I decided my two main goals for Covington is to talk with everyone and get the members to open up and trust us.  I don't know what it is about over here but everyone is so in their shells and don't open up.  Haha it' definitely not like Baton Rouge where you can get every ones life story on their front porch before they even let you in.  It will take some time and effort but of course, anything that is worth having is hard work.  Despite the fact that I love Baton Rouge so much, there's a little opening for Covington to take place as well.  The people here are awesome and I'm excited to start working with them some more.  We even get paid an extra fifty dollars a month from a member to buy food! 

 

So what's new with y'all?  Geez time just keeps flying by, I can't even believe October is nearly half over!  I miss you guys! Haha Sarah your email sent me three of the same email...so maybe it just sent it to me the whole time.  Lucy is getting so big, she definitely won't be a puppy when I get home!  That's awesome that you got your patriarchal blessing on sunday. 

 

Here's something y'all can think about.  I was reading in the Book of Mormon this week and this scripture stood out to me.  2 Nephi 25:17 "And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state.  Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men."  It reminded me of this scripture in 1 Nephi 10:16 " Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer."  Everyone is in a lost and fallen state, but the atonement of Jesus Christ saves us from this state.  Whenever I think of the atonement I think of an anology I like to refer to as the shower analogy.  Here we go throughout our day getting dirty and just living life.  We must shower everyday in order to get clean.  And we must shower practically everyday.  In the shower it's our responsibility to turn the water on, otherwise nothing will happen.  The water is always in the pipes ready to come out (we'll just say everyone bills are automatically paid, so the waters always there), and the water represents the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It's always there but we have to do our part to access it.  The power of the atonement is unreal, and it really takes us to use it to understand it.  So I want y'all to think, how has the atonement affected and changed your life? 

 

For me the atonement is everything.  It's the knowledge that no matter how many mistakes we make, or how many things we constantly repeat, our Savior, Jesus Christ allows us to be forgiven of everything as long as we turn to him.  I've noticed that so much here in Covington.  As soon as we walk away from talking to someone, there's almost always something I think of that I should have said.  And that's the amazing thing, Heavenly Father could easily do this work without us but he's chosen us to do His work.  It's incredible how patient He is with us day in and day out.  And I'm so grateful for the time we have to be here to learn and grow from our mistakes on earth so that we can become like our Father in Heaven.  He loves us in ways we can't begin to comprehend, and Christ loves us just as much. 

 

Well I hope y'all have a good week.  Remember to "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."  I love y'all!

 

Love Always, Sister Schmutz 

conference!

Hey Family!!

 

Conference was so good, wasn't it!  Goodness I just love what the prophet and apostles always have to say, and they're always so inspired!  For conference this year we just watched it at the church.  Haha when we got to the church I was kinda just expecting it to be set up in the chapel on the projector because it was last conference but we got to the church and nothing was set up.  We couldn't find the projector or anything but luckily we had a key to the library so we got one of the tvs and plugged it into the wall thingy and were able to watch conference!  It was a close call though because if we didn't have the key we wouldn't have been able to watch it!  The only ones there were us, the Mandeville Elders, and Sister Walkup. I guess the Covington Elders were at a members house the whole weekend, but it was still fun with just the five of us.  Sister Walkup brought food so we got to eat lots and enjoy conference.  What were y'all favorite talks?  I think the repeated themes that kept sticking out to me where true conversion, covenants, priorities, and love. 

 

By far the best news from this week was hearing that Alasia was baptized last Sunday!!  I've emailed Amanda but she hasn't emailed me back but since Sister Andrade is serving down at LSU she sees some of 1st ward members at stake conference and what not, and Miranda goes to the singles ward every other week so she's keeping us updated on a couple things back there.  Man I miss everyone in 1st ward so much.  I'll just say it as Sister Andrade put it, " But yeah, I know what you mean...I feel like there is no other place like 1st ward my friend... good ol' 1st ward!"

 

It's so crazy to think that Aaron is coming home this week!  If y'all talk to him tell him I say hey and congratulations on honorably completing his mission.  Oh hey and by the way I believe Jed should be coming home sometime soon, not sure exactly when but I'm gonna send him a letter today and tell him to come get the box of things I have for him.  So be looking out for him soon! 

 

So Sister Brady is from Pleasant Grove, Utah.  My first companion that isn't a temple square sister and also my first companion from Utah!  It's definitely weird but good.  She's quiet just like me so it's been a struggle but we're both learning to talk more.  Haha the first thing President Wall said after he anounced we'd be together at transfer conference was, "I wonder which one will talk first."  It's definitely hard but I've learned that we can only grow when we're pushed out of our comfort zone. 

 

This week has been a pretty good one to say the least.  We were hoping we'd get a 'hurrication'  from the storm that was coming up, but turns out it died down a lot before it even got close.  I'm sure y'all were probably watching the news and saw all that.  It's still taking some time adjusting to all the differences here but I'm learning to love the people.  One of my favorites is this lady named Pearl that we go see every week.  She's a member, but a single sister so we go just to visit and bring her some company.  Haha and seriously every single time she tells us the same stories but somehow they always change.  She's hilarious to say the least.     

 

Emily you better take the job at Red Hanger!  Seriously it's the best and you'll love, dude and you know she keeps calling you because she knows you'll be a hard worker just like me.  ;)  so you better live up to that example!  When is homecoming this year?  Goodness and the soccer season is already done...where does time seem to go? You better still be reading the Book of Mormon! 

 

Thank you for the picture Sarah, I love it!!  Haha I love my three coolest cubes in the freezer.  ;)  Haha and that's awesome that you found those seasoning at the grocery store.  I'm sending you the best of luck for teaching your class soon, you're gonna do great! 

 

So what's new with y'all?  If y'all are bored you can go watch a video of Sister Andrade here  http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/missionary/#topOfPage that's my companion for ya!  Hey and she's going back to temple square October 16 and will be going home the end of November so y'all need to hurry and go find her!

 

Here's something I learned from the scriptures the past week.  This scripture really stuck out to me, "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." (2 Nephi 5:27)  I think that's everyones true desire, to live after the manner of happiness.  I mean, in reality who doesn't want to be happy?  I couldn't help but think, what brings them this happiness?  While reading through I discovered exactly that!  It was at this point where they had just arrived in the promised land and Nephi decides to leave Laman and Lemuel and take anyone with him that wants to follow.  Once they were separated Nephi taught his people (v.15) built a temple (v.16) and had his people labor with their hands (v.17).  Ultimately the people were happy because they were working hard and doing what was right.  The Lamanites weren't living in this happy state because they became idle (v.24).  So the lesson learned is if you want to be happy, then you must work for it! 

 

My dear family, always remember who you and how important you are to Heavenly Father!  I love y'all so much and keep y'all constantly in my prayers.  Thank you for the example you are to me.  Hope y'all have a happy week.  :)

 

Love Always, Sister Schmutz

love y'all

Hey Family!

 

Haha first off, Sarah you've gotta take me on a tour of the i-center when I get back.  It's crazy hearing about all the secret tunnels and things that can happen there.  It's definitely a cool building.  It's funny hearing about all the tunnels because that's all the elders would talk about with Sister Andrade and temple square, wanting to know about the tunnels.  Keep up the good work with school and with your calling.  You're amazing! 

 

Mom I'm sorry to hear work has been so busy lately.  I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers!  I don't need anymore clothes so please don't buy or send any.  Thank you for thinking of me though!  Haha I remember you telling me the story of your transfers before Dad, quite the story I tell ya!   

 

In Covington luckily we do have a car haha and yes I am the driver again.  I'm just waiting for the day when I won't have to drive anymore but so far none of my companions have been able to drive so it's always me.  At least it makes getting to know the area a little bit easier.  I practically already know my way around here which is pretty nice.  I guess the only reason I say our area is so big is because we cover four cities close by including Covington, Abita Springs, Mandeville, and Madisonville.  But then there's also these two tiny towns Folsom and Bush way out in the boonies that are in our area.  We haven't been out there yet but they're way out there.  Because we're on the north side of the river it's not humid or hot.  Haha it's actually been down in the low 80's lately and as soon as I walk outside I think I need to grab a jacket.  Here's what goes on in my head,  "Man it's starting to get a little chilly outside, I should grab a jacket or something."  Then I think, "Hold on, it's only in the 80s.  You're gonna freeze in the winter Jenna (they say it gets colder on the north side) get used to it!"  One thing I still can't get over about here though is how dark it gets!  It's getting dark earlier and earlier but seriously once it's dark you can't even see across the street.  Maybe it's because all the trees but who knows, it's crazy.  Also Dad, believe we're two hours east of BR. 

 

There are tons of families and active members in our ward here.  Basically it feels like a ward from Utah because no one here is actually born and raised in Louisiana.  Covington is basically the rich suburb of New Orleans so everyone moved here to work down there and they just cross the causeway to get to work.  It's a lot different than Baton Rouge because there's tons and tons of young families haha and in BR it was all old people.  We do get to ride our bike more often though which I actually enjoy!  Well let's just say this, I enjoy it when we don't have to ride on busy streets.  We've been short on miles so we've had to ride almost everyday.  Oh my but guess what?  They don't make the new missionaries coming into the field bring bikes!  I guess they're just gonna recycle and use our old bikes to provide them with ones.  I'm gonna send my bike home though at the end.    

 

I'm super excited for conference this coming weekend.  We got to watch the relief society broadcast on saturday night and it was so good!  Haha President Monson is my favorite.  :)  do y'all have any special plans for conference?  You gonna build a fort Sarah? 

 

As tradition calls, here's something from the Book of Mormon this week, talking about the tree of life and Lehi's vision, it said, "love of God..it is the most desirable above all things." (1 Nephi 11:22)  Throughout everyones life I believe the one thing everyone constantly desires is love.  The power that love has is incredible and I know I've already written to y'all about love before, but it's because love is the answer to everything!  "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." (1 Nephi 11:17)  We might not understand everything that Heavenly Father wants us to go through or anything, but love has the power to get us through anything.  When I think of the word love I always think of Sister Eackles.  In BR she was basically the wards mom because she cared for absolutely everyone and always had others on her mind.  Upon meeting her you'd think she's always been this way haha but talking with her she said when she was little she used to be a little devil and hated everyone.  She's been through so much in her life and yet here she is loving everyone.  I asked her what advice she would give to us and she said always stay close to God.  When you stay close to God I know that the love he has will be able to shine through you and you'll be able to express to others the love that He has.  So this week I invite y'all to remind someone you love just how important they are to you.  The little hint of love can and will completely change someones day. 

 

As always, keep reading your scriptures and becoming who God intends you to be!  Let me know if I can do anything for y'all! 

 

I love y'all so much!! 

 

Love Always, Sister Schmutz