Friday, April 10, 2015

The End.

So this is my last week.  I am having so many different emotions right now.  Sadness, happiness, excitement, fear, anxiety, and any other emotion you can think of.  My mission has truly been the best thing in my life.  I have a poem that can explain exactly how I am feeling right now.

Highs and Lows

A mission is a strange experience.
A trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst,
Yet, teaches you the best.
I've never been so happy.
I've never been so depressed.
I've never felt so forsaken.
I've never been so blessed.
I've never been so confused.
Things have never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant.
He's never been so near.

I've never been so discouraged.
I've never been so full of hope.
I feel I could go on forever.
I've come to the end of my rope.
I've never had it quite so easy.
I've never had it quite so tough.
Things have never been so smooth.
Things have never been so rough.
I've never been through such a deep valley.
I've never been to such a high peak.
I've never felt so sure and strong.
I've never felt so weak.

I've never had so many ups.
I've never had so many downs.
I've never had so many smiles.
I've never had so many frowns.
I've never been so lonely.
I've never had so many friends.
Boy! I hope this is over soon!
Gosh! I hope it never ends.

I am so grateful for the gospel.  And I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to study it in depth for 18 months and to serve my Savior and my Heavenly Father 24/7 for 18 months.  I never would trade my mission for anything.
I know Jesus Christ suffered and died for us so that we can return to our Heavenly Father.  He is our savior who saves us and our redeemer who changes us.  I love him!  And I know he loves me!
Have a great week everyone.  See you all in 6 days!  

Love, Sister Radmall


9 out of 11 of my companions

#becausehelives

So I had to give the reigns over to our district leader for the Living Christ on the 9th because I won't be able to go =/  That is my departing temple trip of course.  That was harder than doing the whole fireside by myself!  It's hard to give someone else your ideas and let them take over.  But it's going to be great!  We are showing the Because He Lives video at it.  Wish I could be there!!  

I'm going to apologize in advance.  I'm not very focused right now... so this may be kind of a lame email.  Someone brought a unicycle to the church and that's like all I want to do.  haha =)  Haven't ridden one in 18 months!

This week we went to a relief society birthday party dinner in 5th ward.  It was a talent sharing show type thing.  People brought displays of their talents.  So while everyone we going up sharing the talents I was like, "What the heck, I'll play the piano"  So I did.  Played waterfall.  It was pretty fun.

I got to go on exchanges with Sister Breen.  It was super fun.  We had lots of good talks.  I'm going to miss her!  And everyone else in the mission. 

Saturday was Charles baptism.  It was such an amazing baptism!  The spirit was so strong.  It's amazing to think that now that he is baptized and is confirmed, he has access to the spirit whenever he wants.  And his whole family will be able to prepare to go to the temple in a year and be sealed for eternity.  Baptism really is the first step to progression.  We can't progress until we make covenants with God.  We can keep the commandments, but we can't progress without the covenants.

Yesterday's meetings were my last church meetings on the mission.  Super sad!  I'm excited for general conference =)  This is my 4th one on the mission.  Best place to watch conference.

We taught a lesson yesterday and the spirit was teaching me more than the person we were teaching.  I felt the love of Christ.  He truly is my best friend and brother.  He suffered and died for us so that we can BECOME like him.  We don't have to be like him right now, but we have the opportunity to BECOME perfected in him each and every day.  I love Christ!

#becausehelives

love you all!
love, Sister Radmall


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Monday, March 23, 2015

Sister's Conference

This week we had Sister's conference, on the 20th.  (Happy Birthday Lisa.  And Happy birthday Mom, the day before =)  The theme to the conference was, "The Road to Success is Always Under Construction."  It was a lot of fun.  We all dressed in yellows and orange and red and black to match the construction decorations.  We talked a lot about always changing, and always having the opportunity to become better.  We also took the love language test because it helps in a companionship to know how the other person shows love.  I am still a big quality time person.  But my physical touch has gone up a little (Thanks to Sister Bailey and Clegg haha)  But quality time got 11 out of 30, so it was pretty high compared to the other 4's and 5's.  We also talked about the 'types' of people.  type 1, 2, 3, and 4.  that was pretty cool.  I'm a type 2 dominant and type 1 close behind.  It's been helpful as we meet people to think about what type they are so we can connect with them better.  And we can understand them better.  Especially in a companionship.  I learned at that conference that everyone is different, but we all have a special divine worth.  We are all special to Heavenly Father.  It's important to look at people the way that Heavenly Father would.  Because everyone is so special to him. =)
On Tuesday we did some service.  We weeded part of a garden.  It's so fun to play in the dirt.  Then we helped Dave rake his yard.  He loved the temple last week.  That night was the relief society dinner.  The theme was 'A Few of my Favorite Things'.  It was super cute.  They had us go around to little booths and learn how to make a meal plan, clean the house, do service through crafts, and do simple kind things everyday.  I learned some good skills!

Wednesday was crazy.  We were running around everywhere it seemed.  We visited so many less actives.  It was great!  A lot weren't home, but those we did run into were super nice.  When we asked why they don't go to church though, most didn't have very good reasons.  Just excuses.  That frustrates me.  If you aren't going to go to church, at least come up with a good reason!  haha.

Thursday we planned a lot because we are doing The Living Christ fireside here.  I won't be here for either of them (they are doing 2)  But I'm helping the district leader put it together.  Kinda sad I won't be here :/  We went to Terry's after planning.  Boy is she a talker... we were there forever!  She is really funny.  She is pretty much confined to her bed.  We go cheer her up sometimes because she is kinda down a lot.  

Saturday was a great Stake Conference!  Got to meet Elder Johnson from the 70.  He is tall!  And from Cache Valley.  Kinda cool.  Sunday was conference too obviously.  It was a lot about revelation, the Holy Ghost, and Sacrament.  An 11 year old gave a talk... he was brave!  
I learned that in order to get an answer we must be moving.  Just like a GPS can't give you directions when you are sitting still, God can't give you answers when you aren't making decisions.  Sometimes we get answers right away, but in the times that the answers don't come we have to make decisions and move forward so God can either confirm our choice, or warn us of danger.  That was very helpful for me!  
I met a man on Sunday who grew up in Trenton.  Not only that, but he said his family used to own the property we live on!  He knows the Allsops, Merrills, Buttars, lots of people.  It was really cool.  Small world!  Can't remember his name though :P  Sorry.  haha. 

It's been a good week.  And this week is going to be even better!  Charles is getting baptized on Saturday!  That'll be a good day =)  And I just learned some good news.  Mandy, from my first area, the first person I taught and baptized is going to the temple in a couple weeks!  I'm going to be able to go! =)  I am super excited!  It's going to be so so cool to see her make the next covenant with God =)  Ah! I'm so excited!

Well, don't have much else.... have a great week!
Love, Sister Radmall
With Sister Cannon

With my current companion



With my first companion

All of my companions except two (who have already returned home)!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

I'm NOT Trunky!



We had some fun adventures this week.  Lots of new people to meet.

Just so you know, p-day is awesome here!  haha.  It's been way too long since I've been in an area that there are other missionaries that actually do fun things!  Usually it's just my companion and I to fend for ourselves.  But now we have lots of sisters and elders to do fun stuff with.

Tuesday we talked to a guy that was baptized and been to the temple and he still doesn't believe in the Church or in God.  He doesn't even believe in life after death.  It was so super sad to see.  He has all this knowledge from books and the scriptures and experiences and that's all he think it is, is knowledge.  He doesn't do anything with it.  He doesn't believe anything with it other than he is here to fend for himself and to do what he can before he dies.  I am so glad I have knowledge that we will live on forever.  Just gaining knowledge for the 80ish years that we are here on earth would seriously be a waste of time.  I would just go have fun!  But since I know that there is life after, I have the desire to learn all I can here so I can take it with me!

Wednesday we went to the relief society president's house and got lots and lots of people to visit.  That was good!   That night we helped out the elders and taught a young women class about preach my gospel.  It was the laurels..... and there was one laurel.  Poor girl.  We were talking about preach my gospel with just her and in the next room the mia maids were playing minute to win-it games.  She really wanted to go in there.  So we tried to make it fast and super interesting.  She seemed to like it alright.  Then one more laurel came in and we had some good discussions.  It was fun to teach, but I wish there were more girls there.  It would have been more fun.

Thursday we had a lesson with the Girdners.  Charles is going to get baptized on the 28th! =)  Charles is the dad.  His kids just got baptized a couple weeks ago and after that he has been super interested.  Before that he said he wasn't willing to give up a Sunday of good fishing to go to church.  And before that he wouldn't join the missionary discussions when his kids were being taught.  Witnessing his kids' baptism really changed his heart.  His wife and kids have all been praying that he would get baptized.  Now is finally the time that his heart has been softened and he is ready to get baptized!!  We are so super excited! =)

Friday we helped Gene with his yard and house.  Cleaned his whole house, then went outside and cleaned up rosebush clippings.  It was fun to work outside and play in the dirt.  I love dirt!  And I love service!  Later we went to a high priest dinner.... not the best I've been to.  There were about 7 people there.  We played volleyball for about 10 minutes, got root beer floats, then left.  Wasn't much of a party.

Saturday we planned a whole day of service.  Then guess what happened..... it rained!!  Great!  Plans foiled.  So we had lunch with Dave (who just got endowed and sealed to his former wife on Thursday) then went to the Girdners and in the rain started cleaning up her yard.  It wasn't too cold even with being wet.  Got a lot done though =)  So I guess not all our plans were foiled.


Sunday we gave talks in 4th ward.  I woke up not feeling very well.  I was a little light headed all morning.  So I told everyone, "If I pass out, just leave me on the floor."  The sad thing was, that I really did feel like passing out on the floor.  But I didn't!  My prayers were answered.  haha.  That night we had a great lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ with Charles and his family.  He is so ready!  I felt like I should bring up the word of wisdom and it turns out he drinks coffee.  We didn't know that.  But he was very willing to just give it up.  He said it would be hard, but he knows he needs too.  I love seeing people so humble.  It makes me want to be humble so I can learn.

Speaking of being humble, I am reading the book of mormon again.  This time I am reading with the theme of pride.  Marking pride and opposite of pride.  It is very cool.  There are a lot of signs of pride.  It seems that everything has to do with pride.  Either someone has pride, or they don't.  We all have forms of pride.  And I think the reason we are on the earth is so that we can learn how to overcome pride.  That pretty much covers everything.  So I am working on getting rid of as much pride as I can.  It's hard.  Takes a lot of prayer.  But I'm working on it.

Thanks for all the support!  
Love you all =)
Love, Sister Radmall
P.S. My companion came up with the title to this email ;) 


Email from March 9th



Hey y'all!
So Kuna is great.  It's a cowboy town for sure.

4 things to describe Kuna:

1. It's pronounced Q-na
2. Everyone has a horse 
3. Everyone says, "A couple few"
4. At a baptism the musical number was a hymn converted into a country song and played with a guitar.

So this week we did a lot of meeting people.  When we got to our apartment on Monday we cleaned a little then went to find the grocery store.... we couldn't find it.  And we got a new phone so there were no contacts in it.  Luckily the Ap's had called us so we called them back and they kinda told us the right direction.  We went shopping then went home and packed.

Tuesday we did a lot of organizing of area book and the apartment.  Since both of us are new in the area we thought it would be good to figure out our area book.

The rest of the week we seriously just meeting tons of people.  I'd tell you about all of them, but I'd be here all day.  haha.

The bishops here are awesome.  So are the ward mission leaders.  So it's going to be a good transfer!  I'm excited.  

My companion, Sister Kleihege is awesome.  A great teacher!  She is from Artesia New Mexico.  So she has a nice big coat she always wears ;)  She has been out for about a year.  She came out with Sister Leavitt last April.  She is the youngest of 2 kids.  And is super sweet.  She wants to major in psychology.  So she really likes to learn about people and how they work.  It's pretty cool.  We have fun together.

So on Saturday we helped at a funeral.  We were able to meet a couple people there in the ward and didn't feel quite so blind.  Then we went to a stake baptism.  Again, met a couple more people.

Sunday was so so so crazy!  Obviously it was daylight savings.  So we had to get up an hour early in the first place.  But of course, on top of that, we had a 6:30 meetings.  So we got up at 5:30, our bodies thinking it was 4:30.  It was ridiculously early.  But when I introduced myself I still made people laugh.  I guess I can still have a sense of humor that early in the morning. ;)  that or I'm just funny looking.  haha!  Then we had ward council in one ward.  Then church.  Then ward council in the other ward (which is in a different building), and church after that.  It was an exhausting day.  Good though.  Met so many people!  Hard to remember so many people's names.  I really think that everyone else should have name tags.  There are only two of us, lots more of them!

That was our crazy week, and kind of what is going on. =)  
Love you all!  
I've learned on my mission that pray is really the way to talk to God!  I never thought of it as that before.... I knew that, but never really thought about it.  We can actually have a conversation with God.  We don't have to talk to him like he is a king (even though he is God) we can talk to him like we talk to our dad, or our best friend.  Respectfully, but open heartedly and just like we would anyone else.  I've really come to appreciate that.  Very cool. =)

Love, Sister Radmall 

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Transfers! 3/2/2015

I am moving to Kuna Idaho!  Very unexpected.  I thought I would end my mission in New Plymouth.  But Sister Clegg is staying and I am headed out to a new area for 6 weeks.  I'm excited.  But it's going to be crazy trying to get to know everyone by the time I leave.  It's definitely going to be a new adventure.

So we had another crazy week.  We were in pants 5 days this week.  It was fantastic!!  I love doing service.

So update on our newly baptized members.  They are doing AWESOME!  They are seriously still glowing and abnormally happy.  I love seeing it.  Even Mike, who wasn't too sure about getting baptized is super happy. It was sad to leave them.

Monday we got to have a girls night with one of our investigators.  We did our nails.  I taught them how to do water marbling.  We had a lot of fun.  Hopefully that will soften Martina's heart so that she will be more interested. 

Tuesday we did a district service.  I got to get on the roof... like one of my favorite places ;)  I swept off all the branches.  The elders scooped horse manure.  We cleaned out gutters, and got rid of old hay on the ground.  It was a lot of work.  But we got so much done since there were 8 missionaries helping.  And it softened the ladies heart so much.  She no longer thinks us Mormons are crazy =) haha.
Fruitland District
Service on Wednesday was crazy and exhausting.  We helped a lady named Carol move all her boxes out of her house, then we cleaned all of her cupboards and all her kitchen.  She had hundreds of cook books.  So we asked her if she likes to cook.  She said, "um, no not really.  I never really did enjoy it."  Then why do you have all these cook books lady?? haha =)    Then we moved all her boxes into her new house.  That was a lot of work.  Then we went straight to Sherri's, had pizza, then painted her cupboards.  Later we went to the senior center and helped serve.... coffee.  A little ironic?  I think so.  "Uh, so you don't actually want to drink this coffee... but here ya go, enjoy."  It was fun though =) 

On Thursday we helped Ginger clean her garage.  Ginger is a little stubborn.  So we have been trying to help her for weeks and just keeps canceling.  So we just went when we knew she had time and started doing it.  She had no choice but to help us so we did it right.  She wasn't very thrilled with us... but she told us later that she was very grateful that we just made her do it.  It went from disaster to beautiful.  I love cleaning and organized stuff.  Especially when you can notice a difference.

Friday we helped Ruthann Vincent in the shop because Jerry was gone.  We helped her dust and organize the shelves.  It was a lot of fun.  We got to have some good conversation with her.  I love her =)

Saturday was like the best day ever!  I know I've said that a lot lately... there have just been a lot of really good days I guess. haha.  It was transfer calls.  And I got the crazy surprise of leaving.  So I packed that morning.  Then we went to a mission conference in Nampa.  L. Tom Perry, Elder Neilson from the seventy, and Sister Marriott from the young women general presidency came!!! It was so amazing =D  We all got to shake Elder Perry's hand.  And it was so cool to give Sister Marriott a hug, and talk to her since mom and her know each other so well. 
VIP visit with Sister Marriott

They all talked about how we do hard things, and we need to be bold and invited everyone.  Even not as missionaries.  We need to invite everyone we can to hear the gospel and share the gospel with everyone.  I got out of Elder Perry's message the pattern of revelation.
1. Create the Idea
2. Look at every detail of that idea
3. Make a decision
4. Ask Heavenly Father a specific yes or no question
5. Listen to the Spirit

Pretty cool huh =)  It really was a great spirit filled day.

Sunday was just as good.  It was stake conference.  A broadcast from Meridian Idaho.  They all spoke again.  Elder Neilson talked a lot about change.  Change is become like Christ.  So it is a good thing!  Though hard, it's good.  Sister Marriott talked about avoiding contention.  also really good.  She said to ask the question... Who has God given you to love?  Elder Perry talked about nourishing our body, spirit, and mind.  Also amazing.  
I know that Elder Perry is called of God.  He was just glowing as he was speaking.  He is definitely led by the spirit.  It was amazing to be in the presence of an apostle of the Lord.

That was my crazy week.  So I'm now with Sister Kleihege in Kuna.  (Pronounced: kly-gee)  went from Clegg to Kleihege.  haha =)  pretty funny!  I'm excited.  She is super sweet.  We are going to have a lot of fun.

I gotta go.  Out of time.  Talk to you later!

Love y'all!
<3 Sister Radmall

Pictures of people I love in New Plymouth:






Thursday, February 26, 2015

Best Week EVER!

We seriously had the best week ever.  It was so spiritual it was exhausting.  Haven't been that spiritually exhausted since the MTC.



Tuesday we went on exchanges.  I was with Sister Nugiera.  She is super nice.  We helped the Jacksons with their yard.  Raked up old leaves that were plastered to the dirt.  haha.  Later we had an awesome lesson with Scott.  He is so in tune with the spirit.  So trusting in God.  We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Had some really awesome discussion.  

Wednesday we were booked.  We went to Kay's house because she is an expert sewer, and Sister Clegg's bag was all torn apart.  So they fixed her bag, and I got to sit and look through some books that had gorgeous landscape pictures.  Then we had lunch with them and had a great discussion about church, and dogs and cats.  haha =)  We went over to Mike and Jerry's to go over the details of their baptism.  Jerry was so super excited.  Mike was still a little nervous. But willing.  They are awesome.

Thursday we went over to Sherri's and helped her clean out her car port.  It looks so awesome now.  We went over details for the baptism with her too.  She was more excited than Jerry.  She couldn't wait!  haha.  We had our open house Thursday night.  It went well. They played a short video about who mormons are then had someone talk for a couple minutes, then we had cookies.  It was mostly members there, but there were a couple less actives which was awesome!

Friday was zone conference.  My last one..... I gave my TRUNK-A-MONY!!!  which means that I gave my last testimony in front of missionaries.  It was really weird.  Never though that would happen to me.  It was really good though.  I sang a solo.  'His Hands'  It went really well I thought.  I felt the spirit testify of Christ through me.  It felt really good.  It's amazing how much the spirit can speak through music.  One of the reasons why I love music so much.  It was a fantastic zone conference.  All of my questions I went there with got answered.

Saturday was a rough start.  I wasn't feeling very good.  So so tired.  I was having a really hard time staying awake while we were driving and seeing people.  Just shows me that the trials and hard times come before the awesome times.  Because later was seriously the best day of my life.  In the morning we did some service for Sherri again.  We cleaned our her basement a little bit.  Then we felt like we should go to the Astles but we ended up stopping at the Tophams.  They were going to host a party for all the baptism guests after the baptism that day.  We asked if we could help but she declined and offered some lunch.  So we ate lunch then just started helping her.  She really did need some help.  And she was very grateful for it.  WE helped her dust and cook and make her house look good.  She couldn't have done it by herself and was very grateful for the help.  We were led there by the spirit.  God knew she needed help, and we were available. 

The baptisms!  We got to the stake center and of course started running around to get everything put together and ready.  It all went pretty smoothly.  They all showed up on time, and it was just perfect.  Jerry was first.  He was beaming!  I've never seen so much light coming from someone.  He was grinning from ear to ear the whole time it seemed.  Mike was next.  Still nervous, but more confident.  He was also beaming.  And he seemed to walk faster than normal.  I think God was taking away some of his pain so that he could be baptized.  Sherri was practically bouncing out of her seat.  It was great.  She couldn't stop smiling either.  The spirit was so strong there.  It made me realize that baptism is truly so so important to our eternal progression.  The spirit was there testified to everyone that what these three people were doing was right, and that they would have tons of help in getting through life because of it.  We played some mormon messages while they were getting dressed.  That really set the mood even more.  There were really good messages.  I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I really don't remember anything I said.  It was all the Spirit guiding my words. The only thing I remember is the feeling I had while I was talking, and the fact that I felt like I should read my holes poem.  I am having a really hard time finding words to describe the whole thing.  It was just awesome.  Incredible is probably a better word.  Thank you for praying for Mike Jerry and Sherri.  I'm so glad I was able to be a part in their baptisms.  I got to see them take a huge step towards Jesus Christ.  I love being a missionary.  I wish these awesome things happened months ago.  It's getting hard to want to leave, so much good is going on. haha =)



Sunday they all got confirmed.  They received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  All three were still beaming.  I felt so much love for them.  =)  Later we had an awesome lesson with the Treats.  We had Hank make goals to stop smoking.  He isn't going to smoke before 10AM.  So along with his goal, we all made goals to stop a habit.  Everyone except me made the goal to not eat after 6pm. My goal: Wait... first, sit down.  Now hold your jaw so it doesn't hit the table.... I'm giving up chocolate until the end of my mission.  Haha! It was NOT my idea.  It was the spirit.  I kept having an internal battle.  This is about how it went:
Spirit, "You need to give up Chocolate for Hank."
Me, "What?? no! How about popping my fingers."
Spirit, "nope. Chocolate."
Me, "not eating after 6?"
Spirit: "Chocolate"
Me(desperately), anything else"
Spirit, "comm'on you can do it... chocolate."
Me, "Fine! I'll do Chocolate."
So today we are dropping off all my chocolate to the treats.  This will be good for me.  But it's gonna be hard.  I love chocolate.  For those of you that know me well, that is an understatement. =P  But I figure, It's going to be really hard for hank to give up his cigar.  He has had it for years.  But I know he can do it if he wants to.  So I'm going to show him that we can do it together.  I'll let you know how it all goes.

That was my crazy spiritual awesome week!
Hope you all had a great week as well!
Love you all
Listen to the Spirit, he will tell you all things that you need to know!
Love,
Sister Radmall