Happy New Year

Christmas was nice. I really enjoyed it. Here's a list of things I loved about it... and about this last week.

   1. Mr. Kreugars Christmas with a 14 year old girl Jenna.. (when I first got to Kalispell I found her in the formers and felt like we should try and teach her again.) During the movie she turned to me and said "Sister Davidson that was powerful wasn't it?" and I said "yeah Jenna it was".  After the movie we we're talking and she got serious (not like her haha) and said "I have really felt lately like I need to get baptized". .. WOOOOP

2. Church.. and two less active families we have been teaching came! One couple has been inactive for 9 years.. this is the first time they have come back.. it was so awesome seeing them all snazzy and happy at church.

3. A Christmas tree with a bunch of presents under it. Thanks soooo much EVERYONE who sent me something.. that was so sweet of you and I really appreciated it. I got spoiled. Sorry I couldn't spoil you more!

4. Talking to family. Thanks for all you do. I'm sure I am probably just  boring to you cause all I can talk about it missionary stuff. haha Thanks for listening and I miss and love you all.. and will see you next Christmas!

I can't think of anything else to say. It was just exciting to have a Holiday and reflect on all my blessings. This next year I am looking forward to fully devoting myself to the Lord's work. Finding more people who are ready for the gospel.. and seeing more miracles every day.

I love you all. I hope your new years is great. Mine will be spent probably just going to the church and playing board games.. whoo hoo new years eve as a Sister Missionary.. ! ha


Love you all again.
p.s.
The best resolution we can have this year is to read the scriptures and pray every day.. on our own and with our families.. somehow when we do these things.. everything else goes more smoothly.

Merry Christmas!

Well I can't believe it's Christmas this week... time flies! Wow a mission is crazy. Sometimes it just takes EVERYTHING you have to keep going.. to keep knocking, working and being obedient. I have learned just how important it is to stay in tune with the Spirit. The adversary would love more than anything to detour or pause our progression.. if he can't throw us in the pit he's happy to just confuse us! That's why I am SOO grateful for the Spirit that can warn, comfort and direct us. What a gift from God. For Reals.. it's my favorite present I've ever received.. and I don't have to wait around for Christmas to get it.. I can unwrap it every day.  This Christmas I just wanted to write a few things I have been grateful/blessed with in my life.

   I am grateful that when I was young, confused and didn't know where to turn.. that I had a seminary teacher who loved me enough to tell me how great I was, encourage me and commit me to something. He said "Rachelle promise me one thing.. no matter how hard it gets read and pray everyday". Then he wrote on a post it "I will not go to bed, until I've read".. and while I was leaving the building he came to my car and placed it on the dash board. It stayed there for 5 years. up until I sold my car to come on my mission.. and now it's home with the rest of my stuff. Brother Williams may never know the impact of that one commitment he made to me. . I kept it there may have been a day or two when I was in the hospital or something that I didn't read.. but other than that I was kept it. . . and it changed my life. since that time I have read the Book of Mormon at least 6-7 times. . and it just keeps getting better and better. sometimes I'm like.. wait a second is this the same book?.. haha

    I am grateful for the great friends that God has provided me throughout my life.. who've told me when I was being stupid. Who were examples of Christ. Who listened. Who just laughed with me and accepted me for what I was.. but never lost hope of what I could become. I'm grateful for the times they let me cry like a baby or vent my frustrations.
     
       I am so grateful that God allowed me to live in such a beautiful place like Hawaii. It was amazing. Whenever I get cold here I remember how blessed I was before my mission.. I remember the Turquoise water at Bikini beach, floating on my back on a perfect day.. wondering where I would go on my mission and what it would be like. I remember thanking God for letting me relax.. for giving me a time to have fun, make great friends and learn at the best school ever.
    
    I am grateful for my past. . for all the lessons that I learned growing up. I'm thankful for My mother who taught me to Keep the Commandments.. who took me to church every Sunday  and reminded me how important it was. My childhood may not have been perfect but I will say that God knew what he was doing.. I have been blessed because of my experiences because now I have the ability to understand people on my mission. . and help them.

    I am grateful for my grandparents Mummi and Grandaddy.. what amazing examples they have been to me all my life. My Mummi is perfect. I have determined the only reason she is still on Earth and not translated is because I need her so much! My Grandaddy was great too. Sometimes when it's rough I'll remember one of his jokes and literally laugh out loud.. He may have been a jokster.. but he never let me forget what was most important to him.. and what he wanted for me. He'd say.. "Rachelle when you get married.. get married in the temple.. Don't do it any other way."  but he said it with such conviction and love.. he loved the gospel and always lived by example.
  
    I'm grateful for My Father Steve Meraz. I am grateful for the letters he has sent me of encouragement and love on my mission. I am proud of all his success. I am thankful that he is always willing to listen to me. . and I'm so happy that he has been going to church and meeting with the Elders. I'm also grateful for my Grandma Meraz who never forgets to send me a package for every Holiday and makes me feel special.

    I wish I had time to tell  everyone how much I love them and what their examples have meant to me. But I don't have much time on the computer! ha

    Lastly I am most grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.. who was born in Bethlehem long ago.. who grew and was was perfect in word and deed. Who with no hesitation suffered every pain and selfish mistake I have made or pain I have felt from the hands of others. . He suffered everything.. and because He did we can have hope of becoming like him. This Christmas I want to thank my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for blessing me with this time to go on a mission and serve them full time. I will never be able to repay them for all the gifts they have given me.  

           I love you all and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
  Love Sister Rachelle Davidson

Love You

well this week was good. Except Megan moved out of our area! The perfect investigator who wanted to learn and improve her life, and we have to turn her over to the Elders! Ah. I have heard stories like this throughout my life where missionaries just want to keep teaching the person anyway.. because they found them.. and they want to be part of it.. but I think that would be selfish and not really show faith that God is going to take care of it.. and that the missionaries in the new area will do a good job teaching. It is hard though! Especially when our bishop wants us to keep teaching her and encouraging her to come to our ward.. even though we know we can't. haha

     With Christmas just around the corner I have really been contemplating the meaning of it.. Christ.. and as a missionary I think it's the most conducive arena to be able to get the "real Spirit of Christmas"and share it with others. I am not depressed that I won't be able to spend time with my family.. I'm not really the home body type.. don't get me wrong I LOVE MY FAMILY and would love to see them.. but I know why I am here and so it's not sad. . plus I get to skype my family on Christmas Day! WOOP!
Well sorry not much to talk about this week. Love you all!

Candy Clause

Megan Lamb. That's the name of importance this week. I don't think I told you last week that Megan came to church for the first time. So who is she? Well she works with a man named Brother Scalia (spelling prob wrong) and one day they were just chatting.. and she was telling him how she was going through a really rough time. . she has three kids under the age of three and i think shes 24. . and no husband.. just a jerk boyfriend she was trying to leave.. but it was rough because she was the one with the full time job. So Brother Scalia says.. well do you go to a church or have a pastor or someone you can talk to? (totally non pushy towards our church, truly just caring and trying to help)  She said no.. what church do you go to? AHH open door! haha so He invited her to our church.. called us missionaries.. and bam.. we met her last Sunday.. sat by her. talked. She is a really smart determined girl, just has had nowhere to turn. She loved church! So we gave her a Book of Mormon and explained to her that it is ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ.. from the people that lived on the American continent.. it's not ANOTHER Bible.. it's a second witness, and an amazing one at that.. that will clarify so many interpretations of the Bible and compile them into one. She just ate it up.. and not just like over her head type acceptance.. but she REALLY gets it. So we set up an appointment to teach her on Tuesady.
    So we did. We taught her the first lesson. It was crazy because the kids were everywhere.. one of those lessons where you hope the investigator can at least feel a little of the Spirit. haah But she said she would for sure be at church Sunday.
   And she was there! We sat by her.. and she had one of her kids Anthony.. (such a cutie) but the other ones I guess her ex freaked out about and wouldn't let her take them to church.. She told us that she left him.. left the house and was staying at her friends with Anthony, because she couldn't take the abusive relationship (plus Anthony is the only kid who's not her ex's so he treats him worse. classic.)  I was impressed with her strength.
   Church was Fast Sunday so of course we were all fasting and some bearing their testimonies. Then we had an uplifting gospel principles class which went really well. And last we had Relief Society.. it was on Personal Revelation and how we can receive answers for our personal lives. It was an amazing meeting.. and nowadays for the past few minutes of R.S. you can bear your testimony.. So i really felt compelled to.
I talked about how personal revelation is what brought me on my mission. That I was hesitant because I was LOVING my life in Hawaii. I had all my school paid for by Scholarship and everything was working out great, I had awesome friends, and ward.. But i felt sooo strongly that I needed to go on a mission. I followed that prompting and it has been the BEST decision I ever made. My mission has meant so much to me and nothing can ever take the place of it. Being able to help others help themselves back home has meant sooo much to me. It's been AMAZING and I LOVE it. And of course I was bawling like a baby.. because I can't ever get up without pouring like a water fountain.. haha
   But the MOST amazing thing is what happened after I sat down.
  Megan got up. . she bore her testimony!!! She started bawling and said.. I just have never felt like this.. and she pointed to me and said Sis Davidson you have no idea how much you have helped me just in this past week. You helped me get out of a terrible relationship, I didn't realize how bad it was until you two came to my house and taught me and were so kind to my little guys. I just feel so happy here at church. I never want to leave. I know it's true. In the name of Jesus Chrsit Amen.
  What the heck! As is I wasn't already bawling.. now I was hyperventilating..and so was everyone else! The lady who got up to close the meeting couldn't speak for a whole minute.. she was so touched.
   I can't tell you all how much that meant to me. It was like God was telling me that I can help Him bring others back. That I am a good missionary and that all the door slams, dirty looks, and rejection are worth it for the one. I was so touched.
   Did anyone get to watch the Christmas Devotional last night? I only got to watch the last half.. but it was so good! I LOVED the new movie they showed about Christ's birth.. it was so well done! it's only nine minutes.. take some time and watch it here.
   Love you all
Sis davidson

Niel's Gift

Niel (yes that's how you spell it) LOVED his new church clothes and Winter boots! It was so sweet watching him open them.
I love these scriptures in Matthew 10
38 And he that taketh not his ^across, and followeth after me, is not ^bworthy of me.

 39 ^aHe that findeth his life shall ^blose it: and he that ^closeth his ^dlife for my sake shall find it.

 40 ¶He that ^areceiveth you ^breceiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

By losing my life in His service I have seen blessings I never knew existed. I love these people so much.

Love ya'll

Sis Davidson

Emma's thanksgiving rules

Emma made sure I knew the Thanksgiving "rules"
1. Don't pee in your pants!
2. Do NOT slobber on the Turkey!
3. can't remember
haha!

...

hi

This sweet card from Golden, had money to buy Winter Clothing for Melissa, Brit, nathaniel, and Neil

Which turned into this

I had a video that I've been trying to upload forever.. but it wont! I'll try again next week.

Happy Turkey Day!

Well this week has been long and good. I decided to try and be domestic and make Thanksgiving treats to bring around to our investigators and less actives. It was a quick fist attempt.. so the turkeys are not perfect.. but they are tasty! With the Holidays around it seems we are doing a lot of service. One place we go to every week is the food bank. I enjoy working there. It's nice to help people with their temporal needs as well as spiritual.. after all if you don't have your basic necessities.. food, clothing.. ect. , nothing else really matters! Everyone deserves to eat. It's quite a humbling experience. I want to make the food bank a part of my regular life when I get home.. to serve there once in a while.. and if i have kids.. to take them there and help them understand what charity really is.

     I have been pondering a lot on what our little choices each day can mean in our lives.. and also how my mission has really changed me for the better. I am still not even scratching the surface at perfect. I make mistakes constantly.. but I see some things now that I didn't before that I can change when I get home to make me a better person. " By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass". Alma 37:6 and that is TRUE. We do not have to be perfect now. We just have to be trying.
     So Adrianna Adling got baptized! Ah! I am sooo happy for her. (my cousins wife). I didn't realize she had been meeting with the missionaries. . There's something so magical about being baptized.. and as a missionary being a small part of others conversions.. you get to see a light in people's eyes.. a hope that has never been so strong. . a determination to walk the path of a disciple of Christ.. the start of a better life.. and the feeling of coming home.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Loves
Sister Rachelle

Happy Day

well we had a week and a baptisimal date! WHOOO!!! yes! whoo! ahh! ok that's enough but seriously...ah!
Have I told ya'll about Brittany, Nathaniel, Melissa and Neil? Well I will now if I haven't.
Brit and Nathaniel are married.. Nathaniel is paraplegic and  his wife also has some health issues but is ok right now. . they were both baptized in this mission about a year ago, but since have become inactive because they moved, don't have a car, and Nathaniel is in a lot of pain and needs surgery.. Melissa is the lady they moved in with, who is not a member and has a 5 year old son Neil with lots of issues.. adhd.. and some other things. Melissa is paid by the state to take care of Nathaniel. We have been teaching them since the first week I got here.. but Sis aitken and her last companion had tried them for months before and never got in. I think it's because Heavenly Father knew how much I would love them, so He saved them for me! haha
    Anyhow we have been teaching Melissa for 6 weeks now and she has committed to be baptized on December 10! We hope it works out! So they all came to church this Sunday! It was very hard for them.. they live in very humble circumstances and a few of them don't even have Winter coats. . Nathaniel is in so much pain but he promised me he would come and he did! When we piled in the back of Sacrament meeting I couldn't help choking back the tears. I really love these people. They come from such meager circumstances.. and yet they put on their best to come to church. Their very best may have been worn down jeans and a t-shirt, but it was their best and I was so touched.  The gospel is for every single person.. rich or poor. The gospel takes the slums out of people, lifts their spirits and helps them become who they always wanted to be.
I know that sometimes members of the church worry that people get baptized before they are really ready to commit.. or that maybe sometimes people are trying to use the church to get funds. I urge anyone who has these feelings to look to the scriptures.. look at who Jesus spent most of his time with. The healthy need no physician. There are so many people out there that have never been around anything gospel oriented.. they don't know anything about Christ, they may have grown up in a terribly abusive environment with not much love. It is our responsibility as children of God to uplift those around us.. to strengthen and lift the feeble knees and take these people by the hand and show them the way. That is the gospel, and I hope I always remember that.
   Oh and remember that lady Shirley we tracted into last week that said she wanted to come to church.. yeah she did! She stayed the whole meeting and was so impressed.. it was the Primary Program and she was so happy to see the children so strong in the faith.. so sure of their future and that they could be happy in this life. Miracles do happen. Every day. Sometimes we have to look a little deeper to see them.. but believe me they are there.
    I love you!

Sis Davidson

Snoooooww!

So maybe for some people the first snow is like an awakening to them that indeed the holidays are about to come forth.. with good cheer and happy feelings..maybe your thinking about that delicious pumpkin pie you'll be making, or if you'll get a real or fake Christmas tree this year.. I'm sure all your all hearing that lovely Christmas music in your cars already.. Well snow for me ( a missionary) means it's freezing! And I have to walk in that white stuff all day! and like that wonderful book by shel Silverstein.. Montana is "Where the Sidewalk Ends". literally.  I don't know how people in live in these climates? Honestly. The winter hasn't even actually begun and yet every morning I wake up it's 18 degrees with a windchill.. AHHHHHHHHHHH. Oh and our zone decided we should walk one day every week the entire day we can't touch our car, so that's been fun/frigid.. maybe I will get frost bite. Ok enough of that. I am actually super happy about the holidays coming because they are great conversation starters.. but the cold. no thanks. Sister Davidson will endure the cold for the next 10 months but after that.. it's warm weather for the rest of my life! Why would anyone choose to live in complete darkness and cold for 6 months out of the year? it baffles me. I was meant for the Pacific Ocean.. in a warm state. and that is where I will reside later.. but for now I will enjoy the days that i get to bundle up in everything I own and still freeze.. hah
     Well we tracted a lot this week. And we had some pretty interesting encounters.. haha those of you that have been on missions where tracting is a regularity.. can probably agree that it is the most entertaining thing ever. you meet the most diverse kinds of people.. and not like racial diversity (because everyone in Montana is white and either from canada or have always lived here) but you just get the most random encounters.. some are really cool.. I'll just give you a couple examples from this week

Door 1. "Hey we are the missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"..Old lady says.. "Oh that church down the road, are you the same as the Mormons"?  "Yes that's us".. a pause.. then she says "Oh well you know I have met so many nice people that are Mormon, and I have been wondering for some time about what your services are like.. can i come to your services on Sunday? Do you allow visitiors"? For a missionary that is simply priceless.

Door 2. Same type of Missionary intro... This ones a man about 45ish.. he says "Yeah I went on a mission myself, that was a long time ago".. awkward pause.. and then of course I'm all excited like "Really that's so awesome where'd you go"?  he replies (and you could honestly feel the guilt emanating from him) "South Carolina.. and I also taught at the MTC".  I'm like what in the heck do I say.. he is not on our ward list.. so he's either excommunicated or just got lost in the mix since his inactivity.. but he taught at the MTC so he had to of had a testimony at some point.. i felt like I should ask him what the most spiritual part of his mission was.. but I didn't I just said.. well we'd love to see you at church, we'll be there if you ever want to come back. Geez i'm so awkward.. haha but I want to find out more on this guy.. so we'll be going back.

    Ian and his family weren't home on Halloween.. I'm guessing he forgot it was a holiday when he set the appointment.. so were going back tonight! Cross your fingers!.. I love missionary work. Sometimes the things you have to do feel quite like scratching your nails down a chalk board.. you just have to totally get out of your comfort bubble.. there is no comfort on a mission.. but that's the exciting part.. your becoming something new.. changing into something better than you were before.. understanding yourself more than ever.. and at the same time understanding the Savior more than ever as well because of the fact that you really have to rely on him. Your placed into situation after situation where you don't know  anyone.. and you have one main purpose teaching people about the restoration and Jesus Christ. It's just awesome. There is nothing like it. I'm glad I came. 
Love ya'lls

There's always Sunshine after Rain. P.S Happy Halloween!

    Well we had a pretty good week. We dropped those 3 year investigators.. and I have to say during one of them I had an amazing spiritual experience. . This lady Meagan (prob 25 yrs old) had been "investigating" forever.. and really "needed the missionaries" to come each week.. I felt really inspired to ask her a few questions like.. "So if we didn't come every week, would you still want to learn more about the gospel"? i.e. read the B.O.M and pray on your own.. She said no if you guys stopped coming I would just fall back where I was before.. thus she was completely dependent on the missionaries to give her an uplift every week.. and would not commit to do anything on her own. Honestly I was depending on my companion to break the news to her, mainly because she had known her a lot longer, but also because she is kinda intimidating.. ha one of those hard Montana women. . But I just felt the spirit so strong and took over.. I went on about faith and how it's an action word.. and we could continue coming and making her feel good each week.. but until she planted her seed and nourished it.. nothing would grow.. Kind of like how a parent raises  children to go out into the world on their own two feet.. they have to grow and go on their own and choose. I went on to bear my testimony that I know that the church is true along with the B.O.M. and that is strengthens my faith in Christ when I read it. . and that no matter how hard our circumstances may be.. the gospel can lift us out.. if we choose to act. I made sure to let her know that I knew that the gospel would bless her life more than she could do on her own.. and that we missionaries love her and would be there for her if she ever wanted to start coming to church and progressing. She started BAWLING... and I just kept talking.. it felt like someone else was talking because whatever I said.. she totally understood and needed to hear it. I even turned to some random scripture I didn't even realize was there and read it to her and it completely fit. Anyway I hope she someday starts to act because she is a great person.. she just isn't ready right now.
      Anyhow.. something cool happened.. We found a family! This guy Ian, his wife and two little kids Nova and Zane. . Ian is rad. There is just something about him, like you can tell he knows that he really needs to learn more. We are excited.. we're going to teach them tonight (Halloween) ha so hopefully not too many door bell interruptions occur. I just have a really good feeling about them.. so hopefully it works out! There is NOTHING better than helping people learn more about the gospel.. seeing them grow.. seeing their countenances change as they repent and feel the weight of the world slowly come off their shoulders. It's such a blessing to be a part of it. .
       Its getting COLLLLDD. Basically I am going to die.
Love you all! Happy Halloween!

Sorry this may seem like a journal entry.

  So maybe I am just a big mean Sister that drops everyone that's not progressing.. maybe I am too business minded? Not that missionary work is a business but I donno. Maybe you out there that have served missions know? So I guess I should explain. I came to this new area and was kinda disappointed with the area book.. and with the lack of investigators. I am not placing judgement on the prior missionaries.. but the bishop and ward council had made it clear that they were not too pleased with the missionary work that has been done here in the past. . which is good for me because that means I can drop all the people that aren't progressing and just move forward.. finding, finding, finding, right? Well yes and no. I sometimes forget that other people have feelings attached to their areas and what they have been doing. . so i guess me coming in and taking hours to completely update the area book and after meeting the so called "progressing investigators" dropping them is not very sensitive. So I am trying to balance it all. ha. The Lord loves to place me in growing situations.. which I am grateful for, but sometimes I'm like really? I somewhat knew that the missionaries here did not really live up to the bishops standards.. because my mission president had given me a slight clue.. he called me and said.. "So Sister Davidson are you ready to go to Kalispell? The Bishop there seems to be a little warmer than in the past, so are you ready to turn it around"?  Plus my last companion and the bishop did not get along.. and I guess he really chastised them for not getting anyone knew to teach. So I was a little nervous to meet the guy.. But I did and guess what?  I really like the guy! He is like me.. he gets to business and gets it done. For example if people aren't ready to come to church or keep any commitments and they have been taught all the lessons.. or in this area's case for 3 years.. then drop them.. other missionaries will see them in former investigators and pick them up at a later time when they are ready. I fully believe that missions are not just to go and share nice thoughts with people.. or to be their "church" each week.. there are people that are prepared and it's our job to find them and help them understand the amazing blessings that come from Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring on with all the great people around us, lifting and building each other up. Wowza the Church is true.. I may not know it all.. but I know enough to get that it blesses my life and makes me really happy. Sometimes I wonder why I was so blessed to be born into the church and have it as a foundation, there for me all throughout my life. I know that God really is there.. He knows what He's doing.. it's my hope that we all learn to let Him lead us.
    So guess what else? We found two new investigators this week! Jenna who's 14.. she is awesome.. and Melissa who's prob in her 40's. I'm excited. Sorry if this bored you to death. Love you all!
    Sister Davidson

  
                                                 My new companion Sister Aitkin

♥

Well this area is for sure different! I like it but I miss my old area a lot.. I was attached to the people.. and the investigators... I was well comfortable.. and anyone who's been on a mission knows once you get comfortable.. it's transfer time.. haha
I have my work cut out for me here... there are basically NO PROGRESSING INVESTIGATORS.. so it's a huge finding time. I guess the Lord doesn't want sissy's out on the mission field right?  Ha So Sunday was my birthday/my first time in the new ward.. ok the ward is huge.. I have gotten accustomed to 20-25 people at church not 150... so yeah I was overwhelmed! But I know if I work hard I'll be blessed.
  Thanks to everyone who sent me something for my birthday. Made my day better!
loves
Sis Rachelle

Welp

I made it here to Kalispell! What a change in scenery.. I feel like I am in a new country! It is way pretty here.. like postcard status.. but it is very city like. The houses have this colonial/east coast style-feel.. which I LOVE.. you know the wrap around decks, rocking chair on porch, classic vintage look.. I like it. NO more dirt roads! Which is different but refreshing in a way. I am excited to get to work with my new companion. This area will be super different from my last..
  1. because it is a city
  2. there are sidewalks
  3. only one ward instead of three branches that are way far apart
  4. I am now the "old senior comp" what the
  5. My new house is SO NICE and CLEAN and has a real shower and isn't freezing!
   So ya I haven't really met anyone or done anything yet.But I am sure it will be a great experience. The Lord makes me really work hard I decided He is just really trying to make me be a better person... cause wow my faults seem to be popping out of every nook and cranny in this woodwork. It will all be for my good though.
 Love and miss you all!
   Sister Rachelle

Hi Lo

Hi I can't write Monday cause I'll be driving all day.. but I will on Tuesday. I am getting transferred to Kalispell which is wayy west by Glacier National Park.. ahh to be Senior Comp t0 a new missionary - Sister Atkin from St George, Utah haha:) my new address is

89 East Nicklaus

Kalispell, Montana

59901

Hiii

Well conference was great wasn't it?? I love it sooo much. My favorite talk was Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Forget me Not" from the women's conference. . it was so good. If you want to read it click  here. 

  We shouldn't wait for some future event to be happy.. we should be happy now! Look at the the blessings we have. The messages from Conference help me recharge for the next six months.. they are so encouraging and I am soo blessed to know that we can hear from God today. . he's not some mystical force in a far off galaxy. hah and he cares enough to talk to us.. all we have to do is pray.

      So I talked to my mission president and It is very likely that I am getting transferred.. so If any of you are planning on sending me a card or something for my birthday it would be wise to send it to the mission home in billings. I have no idea where I will be going.. but I feel prepared to leave the area.. wow 6 months have gone by! it's crazy.. 1/3 of my mission is over. 

      I love and miss you all. 

    Sister Rachelle

Howdy Family.

This week has been alright.. ha we have an investigator that we tracted into a couple weeks ago that wants to get baptized! We picked her up yesterday and took her to church for the first time.. she enjoyed it.. she says she feels like we were sent to her right when she needed us. ha. 

So my birthday is coming up in a couple weeks.. what the? 23.. I am old. so old. oh and when my best friends all get married while I am on my mission it makes me feel older. ha that's alright. If anyone is interested in sending this missionary a birthday package I will tell you a few things I am dying to have. 

1. a mini george forman grill (ok these things are awesome)

2. Music!!! I can listen to anything I feel is spiritual. 

3. Talks on Cd.. any kind of gospel topic, conference, John Bytheway, Truman Madsen, ect.. these come in handy

4. There is this really cheap Camera called a "Diana" and it is rad. I have wanted one for some time now. 

5. Letters.. a simple note will suffice!

6. New glasses. I am blind. 

I love you!

Sister Rachelle

Things that make me happy to be in Montana:

    

 1.My companion

    

 2. The people I have met and the wonderful advice I get from a lady Sister Vonneida   

  

 3. Being able to attend the temple with the Wards and Jane for thier first time     

 4. Knowing I am on the Lords errand    

 5. Seeing people change becuase of the Atonement of Jesus Christ   

    

 6. Finally having the time to complete "Jesus the Christ" by Talmage     

  

 7. Being in the middle of nowhere and walking outside in pitch black to see the MilkyWay (for real)   

   

 8. Buying and wearing lipstick for the first time      

 9. Feeling like I am completely in the "Potter's" hands and being molded into something that won't crack as easily

 10. Understanding the importance of family

Love, Sister Davidson

Let Go. Let God

There are some things.. especially on a mission that make it impossible to "take care" of myself like I normally would. I am starting to try and worry less on these matters and let God take the reins- if you will. It is inevidiable that many personal things must be pushed aside while serving the Lord. .

      When I let God take over and show me the path I find myself to be a much better/happier person than I ever anticipated. God knows us. He knows our weaknesses, strengths, worries.. ect.
     Our life is not just a rote presentation of bliss with hailstorms of unexpected pain and misery. Sure life has valleys of sorrow.. but the gospel gives us the ability to use the Lord's sacrifice to lift our spirits. I am convinced that God recoices when we do.. and cries with us when we feel pain.

 I have had many people on my mission say.. "well if there is a God why would let all these bad things happen in the world"? We have all asked this question to ourselves.. if you think you haven't.. then you are not human. My answer to this would be that of course God has the power to take away all these problems from us.. but how could we grow if everything was perfect? I dont know about ya'll but for me I know that my trials have made me the person I am today. I am more compassionate, understanding of others pain, happier. . ect.

      I have seen many miracles on my mission. . and also many heartaches of those around me. I feel like my mission has been my whole life. I love the people here so much.

Marvin.. the 80 year old man we baptized this summer has been diagnosed with Lukemia.. we have been to the hospital twice this week to sing to him and read him a scripture. He is such an example of faith. The people here have imporoved the quality of my life so much. I would like to think that I am beggining to feel love for those around me as the Savior would. I mean these people in Montana are soo different from me in many ways, yet so similar.. they were strangers at first, but now they have become family.

Love,
Sis Davidson

Aloha

Well this week was good! I love my mission. I have decided that a mission is training for the rest of your life. I get to see soo many different people in their home element.. I get to see how they raise their families, what they love most, what they spend their time on.. how they keep their house.. what their interests are.. what and how they cook..and especially how they view and practice spirituality.

    I consider this a huge blessing because in what other situation can you just go into so many different peoples houses (strangers at first)  to just talk about the gospel, eat, just chat about family.. ect.. it is really odd I think that people just let us into their space! You really get out of your normal life comfort bubble.. I thought I loved people before my mission.. but now I love them EVEN MORE.. 

    I prayed and fasted this Sunday and asked if we could just find some new people to teach... well we did that night! We had been trying to get into this part-member families house forever... the parents were on the verge of divorce and moved into separate houses.. two weeks ago we were walking to an appointment and we saw Sister Bulski.. the mother.. and we were like.. Hey do you need anything? Can we help ya? and she says.. no unless you like cleaning.. Dan and I are moving back in together so I gotta clean the house.  Of course we were quick to jump in and help so we spent the time cleaning and talking.  So anyhow.. they were at church on Sunday and we asked if we could come that night.. they said yes. So we taught them the first lesson and it went great! Dan was catholic in his childhood but has since looked for something else.. He is reading the B.O.M now and since his wife and kids are members he said he may as well investigate. So we are so excited! The Lord answers prayers quickly sometimes.

    Well I love ya!

    Sister rachelle 

Am I Part of the Cure?

  Well I didn't get transferred! i am staying here in good old Roberts for at least another 6 weeks. I am happy about that... I have been very blessed here and I know that Sister Tuckett and I have lots more work to do.. 
  

    I thought about all the new converts that Sister Buchanan and I just had baptized and thought.. hmm I wonder if they can go in the temple to do basptisms before they have been members a year? So I searched and found out that yes they can! So I am planning a temple trip with all the recent converts September Friday the 16th.. I am soooooo excited! There is no better place to be on earth than the temple.. it truley is the house of God. It's a place where we can get away from all the noise of the world and feel peace. 

   Anyhow.. yesterday I was at a members house the Jacobson's and thier children were all playing thier instruments for us.. the oldest son was on the piano and he played Coldplays classic song -clocks-.. as he was playing I was really listening to the lyrics in my memory
        "Am I part of the cure? Or am I part of the disease"? and I thought to myself.. what am I doing? Am I here on a mission as part of the cure? Do I truely want to help all those around me to have happier more beneficial lives? YES of COURSE!! But I think all of us.. whether we are old or young.. on missions for the church, working, or just taking care of our families.. we should think to ourselves.. am I part of the cure or the disease? 
    We all struggle in our daily lives.. trying to fit into a mold.. going down our checklist and sometimes I think we lose sight of what those check lists actually signify.. As a missionary I have noticed that it is easy to jsut get into a cookie cutter routine.. but this does not neccesarily mean we are part of the cure.. if we just accomplish our list.. it is the journey and the purpose behind these items on our to-do's that really have meaning.. We can be doing a richeous routine and yet still be a part of the disease if we do not listen constantly to the promptings of the Spirit. I am trying to do better!
    I love you all and am soooo excited for everyone back home.. for whatever it is you are going through this week, month, and year.. I hope you are finding joy in your journey..
    So my mom sent me a picture of a mural I did in highschool. It brought back alot of memories for me.. while I can't paint on my mission for lack of time I am excited for the day i will be able to develop that talent further.. and while I am here in Montana there are so many new ideas spinning in my head for what I can paint later..
    I love the message from President Uchdorph "Create"..

We all have talents that are given to us to help us enjoy life more.. to learn more.. God doesn't want us to just punch in the clock from 8-6 every day.. he wants us to devlop and share what we can offer to others. I know that God has a plan for us all and that though we may have rough spots in our journey EVERYTHING we go through can be for our benefit, if we just look at the positives.
   Love you
  Sister Davidson

write to this missionary

Well this week is transfers.. I am terrified. I find out on Friday if i stay in my area for 6 more weeks or if I get transferred to somewhere else.. I really don't want to leave yet.. but since i have been here all my mission it is possible but if not I will have been in this area for 6 months by next transfer. I basically have a year left since i figured out I come home in the beginning of September 2012. wow! not that I am counting down or anything.. haha

The mission is great. I encourage anyone who is reading this who is thinking about going to stop thinking and JUST DO IT. there is basically nothing more fulfilling then completely dedicating all your time and energy into selfless service. It is the hardest task to do but a mission is basically the only time in your life where you can really set time apart and put forth all your efforts into the work. I love being a missionary. I meet the coolest people and get to teach them the most important things to know... basic simple gospel principles that make people happier than anything in this life.. life has so many fleeting quick fixes for "happiness" but the only real lasting happiness comes from keeping the commandments and enjoying life while expanding your talents to bless the lives of others. 

Love you

Sis Davidson

hello fam

Well let me just tell you. I have grown soo much on this mission it feels like 5 years have gone by. Especially in the knowledge of the gospel and all the scriptures. Things are going great with my companion and she has opened up alot. She's awesome. 

       This past week I was able to have the most intellectual/spiritual lesson of my life thus far with a couple the Williamsons. The Williamsons were raised in the Baptist faith (they are in their 40's) but have since determined that all churches have man- made properties involved which has transpired into them no longer affiliating with a specific religion. . but they are true lovers/believers of the bible and say that they are "saved". 

    I went through the lesson trying to teach about the restoration of the gospel.. that Jesus Christ had set up his church on the earth with all the ordinances and leadership necessary. That an apostasy had happened which can be read about in Amos 7- 11-12.. That there would be a time again when the church that Jesus Christ ( and the preisthood) had set up would need to be restored.. not reorganized or changed. We went through the possibility of a living day prophet.. I said that in Mathew 7 we can read that "by their fruits ye shall know them".. So what is the fruit of Joseph Smith?? We have determined two major fruits.. 1. The Church   2. The B.O.M.. now we must analyze these two things and study, ponder and pray about them to determine if the fruit is good or bad. If it is good then Joseph Smith was a prophet. . and everything else that goes along with that is true. If not the latter.. right?

    Well Mr. Williamson believes the bible to be the only necessary tool to read and therefore be saved.. and will not come to a church meeting until he embraces that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet.. So I thought.. well lets read in Alma 32. We read the whole chapter together.. analyzing the doctrine of faith. . that it is not to have a perfect knowledge.. but if we start to feel the swelling motions of a good thing.. it will sprout .. it will grow into something great. . So then He said.. Sister Davidson.. will you come prepared next time to answer What Jospeh Smith has revealed that is not in the bible.. and why we need a latter day prophet? I answered of COURSE!! 

I have studied and found many scriptures to back the truthfullness that the gospel needed to be restored and that the church is necessary and that we must take the sacrament weekly and continue.. that the preisthood needed to be restored and that a prophet is always the spokesperson for the Lord. 

But no matter what I have researched.. no matter how prepared I am to try to doctrinally prove that Joseph Smith was a prophet.. the spirit of truth.. asking God for yourself.. is the only thing one can do to gain a testimony of it. I am so grateful to know that personal revelation exists.. that we can actually pray to God and expect an answer back if we sincerely desire the answer. . and even that answer we receive may not be what we want.. but it WILL come. 

    I am excited to teach more lessons.. but more importantly to learn and grow more in the truth that i have found.. and the happiness and contentment that comes from living the principles of the scriptures. 

   Love you all

     write to me

    Love Sis Rachelle Davidson

Aloha Family

Well this week has gone by pretty smoothly. We finally got in with some new ivestigators! Marion and Tiny are in their 80's and we got in and taught them the first lesson.. watched the Restoration and left them a book of mormon with a chapter to read. It was pretty awesome.. they asked alot of good questions.  I am so happy to be out here.. Montana is great. We started teaching the Callison's sons yesterday and hope to get them baptized soon as well. Things are going along.. Sorry don't really have much to say this week... But I NEED YOUR LETTERS AND SUPPORT! 

Love you all

p.s. the church is true

-Sis Rachelle

p.s.s

Check out how beautiful Montana is.. all dirt roads and sunsets

p.s.s.

this crazy cat named Bessie is in love with me.. it jumps on my head and paws and pets my face.. and sleeps with me on the weekends.

The Sun Will Come Out.

Changes can be HARD can't they. Sometimes I wonder.. hey Heavenly Father.. can i just take a break for a second? I think missions and marriages both go through the same types of lulls.. where you have to work for a while and it gets really tough, then it gets tougher.. and then finally a break though and a burst of happiness and joy! haha At least all my married friends that write me seem to be going through these types of up's and downs alot.. I guess you call that life.. But isn't it fulfilling? I think so. 

    We have been working really hard at trying to find new people to teach. I have had to break out of my shell alot and be more outgoing, talking to Everyone.. since my companion is so quiet.. but it has been really good for me! I have grown alot! I am getting closer relationships with everyone because I have to be more persistent and outgoing. I am starting to like this trial. maybe i shouldn't admit that because it is rough at times. 

    I am so grateful to have the scriptures and prayer when things get hard.. when everything else isn't working the way I want.. when i feel lonely or maybe a little scared to do what I know I need to.. there is only One being who can truly and completely understand and therefore is capable of helping me to see the sun come out tomorrow. Our Savior Jesus Christ knows us. He went through our trials so that He could understand us. If you don't believe it pick up the New Testament.. read all about his life.. If you still don't believe it.. pick up the Book of Mormon read Alma chapter 7.. Jesus went through all our pain and afflictions by choice. He KNEW this life would be hard and He loved us enough to provide us a way to escape our pain and not just to endure this life but to have joy in it. 

Love and Aloha,

Sis Rachelle

Well I may look frumpy in these pictures.. but oh well. I figure this is about the only time in my life where it's ok to not be attractive. Plus I bought that skirt at a thrift shop for a dollar. whoop

Hi Loves! July 25, 2011

Well it's a new week and a very new transition.. I picked up my new companion Sister Tuckett on Wednesday. Let me tell you.. this week was difficult! She is VERY QUIET. Infact the only thing she has voluntarily said to me this entire week was "How do I turn off this heater". So ya.. huge transition. It is difficult talking over an area when you are so used to working with one companion and all your investigators know you.. then comes a new one who doesn't talk.. ha so I feel super burdened with having to give the WHOLE lesson. . She is a very sweet girl I just can't get her to say a word.. she has been out for 6 months and apparently in her last area she hasn't had ANY investigators or ANY investigator lessons/basptisms... which sounds very odd to me.. because we are supposed to have 20 lessons a week with at least 10 investigator lessons.. so since she has only spent the last 6 months giving MEMBER lessons at dinner.. just a thought.. not anything from Preach my Gospel I think she is a little overwhelmed at all the work we have to do here in Red Lodge/ Absoarkee. Hopefully she'll get used to it soon. I feel like she is from another country or something because she won't talk.. ha. I am sure it'll work out.:)  

   The work load on a mission is always alot easier when you love the people you are serving.. Let me tell ya I LOVE the people of Montana. I really do.. I have some great friendships here already that I am sure will last forever. 

   We helped a lady from one of our branches Sis Clark this last Saturday with her annual garage sale.. she aslways has a bunch on antiques and coool stuff. And she gave me the best present ever! It's a super old school polaroid camera.. you know the ones that instantly print the picture.. I am not sure how to get the photo paper for those anymore but if anyone knows.. let me know! 

    Well I am happy to be here and am feeling a bit better now than last week.. still not 100 percent but soon! Anyhow.. Love ya all! Write to me!

Love 

One of my favorite Families. The Roses

P.S. I forgot to mention.. remember that lamb I had fed? Yeah well a bear ate it yesterday!!! YES A BEAR ATE IT!!! ah

Sis Rachelle

Come what may, and Love it!

This week has been rather rough.. I had my gallbladder surgery and there were a few complications.. basically my stomach blew up like a 9 month termed baby! But one of the nurses said "dear don't worry, you only look six months pregnant". I can honestly say it was the worst week of my life.. really. The pain was awful, I was really struggling and I felt very alone without my family and friends around to give me some good laughs and comfort.. But I learned some of the most profound lessons of my life thus far.

 After days of agony and 6 visits to the emergency room (yes 6!) I was very agitated.. I thought hey you Heavenly Father! What's up with this!? I gave up alot to come on this mission! It wasn't part of my plan, and now this! I am working hard I don't deserve this treatment! I'm doing EVERYthing that I am supposed to! How could you do this to me?

Not all at once but one by one.. the spirit told me different things that are lessons I will remember all my life.

1. For once in my life I thought about the Mormon pioneers.. I didn't used to care much about them.. i thought the stories were boring.. mostly because I never understood what they were about. I realized that they went through hell and back to preserve our rights to live the gospel.. they traveled thousands of miles with nothing but the shoes on their feet and small wagons.. it was not the very elite in shape that left.. It was everyone. The women and children included. Many lost all their loved ones.. children died. They must have felt very alone at times but they kept going despite the persecution and look now and the product of their sacrifice! I grew a deep love for these pioneers.

2. My mother. My mother gave me some of the best advice I have ever had. Since I was upset at God and my situation.. I was impatient.. I wanted to go to work. She encouraged me "DONT GO TO THE DARK SIDE! GOD is trying to teach you something, be patient, He is there, He loves you". I am so grateful for that because it is true.. when things get rougher than we think we can bear we should smile. I turned to the bible to the verse that says " Blessed be they who cry now, for they shall laugh".  It's so true!

3. My brother Jared wrote me a very sweet letter. He said that he knows how it feels to have surgery and that he hopes I get better. ( He has spina bifida) This meant so much to me. I realized wow I am such a jerk! My brother has underwent I believe around 10 surgeries, ten! He has to put up with so much pain and the after affects of all these medicines. I have been able to feel a small amount of the pain that I am sure my brother has had to endure all these years. Through Jared's thoughtful letter I was able to think of my Savior Jesus Christ and about his atonement for my pain as well as everyone else's around me. God gives us these trials to refine us.. so that we can have more compassion towards others.. and so that we can better understand the power of Jesus Christ's life and atonement and be grateful for him. 

4. The scriptures. I did a study on patience and read alot about the sons of Mosiah and the trials they underwent.. and about their missionary work. Alma 26 is one of my favorite chapters of the Book of Mormon because it shows the sweet product of the sons of mosiah's change of heart and diligent work to bring others to Christ. Ammon glories in God as he looks at their past, He is so happy to see the change in himself and all the blessings of all the people that joined to Church of God and started to commit to living happier, more fullfilling lives. As he is rejoicing his brother Aaron rebukes him saying.. hey brother, you better watch it.. I think you are boasting.. and Ammon replies.. Oh no no you got it wrong.. I do not boast in myself, but in my god.. for look at all he has done! Look at all the blessings he has allowed us to have after we had committed so much sin before. 

I love the scriptures.. they have so many examples of people just like us.. doing their best and going through hard times. The fruit of our labors will come.. but sometimes it takes a while.. BUT IT DOES COME! I am so glad to know this. Alma 34:40-41 tells us to have a firm hope that one day we will rest from our afflictions. I know this is true. It starts with hope. A little seed of hope. 

         The last thing I want to share is that we had two baptisim's this last Saturday! The Callison couple had a few things they had to work on and they pulled through! I was a little worried that some of the issues may need to push their baptism back a few weeks, but no it worked out great! I was even well enough to go! I was pretty sick but I made it through the whole thing. I feel so blessed to have been a part of this blessing. On sunday My companion and I both gave talks on missionary work, we watched the Callisons get confirmed.. and guess who showed up at church for the first time in his life? AL!!!  I couldn't believe it!  I am also very excited because I start teaching the Callsions two sons who are 14, and 12 the lessons next week. I am hoping they decide to follow their parents footsteps. 

My companion is leaving and I am getting a new one on wednesday! I am a little worried.. My health still isn't very good but the last two days I have gone out to work. I can't carry anything so my companions been doing that.. ha  i hope this new one is nice! I'm sure she will be. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for good family and friends who have written me and helped me though the hard times. I love you all sooo very much. 

Love Sis rachelle Davidson

Happy Fourth!

Well this week was good!  I have to tell ya'll about a man named AL.. He's a veteran and prob around 65-70 years old.. He's a grump and a woman hater. . somehow we are teaching him.. hah anyhow.. I have really tried to get him to pray for the past couple weeks.. infact, I am kindof pushy with him because I know he can take it.. So on Saturday I was being my usual pushy self.  So at the end of the lesson I said "Hey AL, what's your problem? Why don't you want to pray?"  He replied.. "There's a few choice names I'd like to call you, but I haven't used those since the war. Your a pushy one!"  So I said.. "Alright sweet call me what you will I still think you should pray". .. (not really thinking he would do it).. after several grunts and grumbles.. But then he took his hat off and said just about the sweetest prayer I've ever heard.
   It is truly amazing to see people's countenances change.. I feel sooo blessed to be on a mission. I can't tell you how many times people will say "i am so happy you two come over to our house, we always feel so good when you come, and for days after".  . and we're like what the? We aren't even doing anything! We just go.. that's about it. . But hey the Lord knows what he's doing! I have never felt more fulfilled in my life. I am sad that my companion is going home in a couple weeks.. and also terrified to get a new companion and take over the area.. it's a lot of responsibility.
         Oh ya.. well I am having surgery on Friday. .. there yanking out the gallbladder... I really don't feel like doing it, plus not sure how neccesary it is but oh well, I could use a prayer or two! Oh ya my Mission President says we can watch fireworks tonight! woop!

Love Sis Davidson

p.s
Kari/Robert: I hear you had your baby!!!!!! AHHHHHH I am sooo happy for you and Robert! Mummi says you were gonna call her Eliza Jane maybe? tell me what the name is!!! Send me a pic! Congrats... I love you!
Kaylene: thanks for the letter I loved it, hope to hear from you again soon
Kirsten: how is Texas?
Kevin: Thanks for the letter, Ill write ya back
Hannah? hannah?
Stephanie Boinay????!

June 27, 2011. Give oh Give

This last week was amazing. Jane Noblitt...  One June 25, Jane's Birthday she was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Baptism program went as follows.

   * Sister Davidson (me) ha gave a talk on Baptism. I had my comp. sing "Give said the Little Stream" because that is JANE

   * The three Ward girls sang "When i am Baptized"

   * Sister Buchanan (my companion) gave a talk on the Holy ghost

   * Jane bore her testimony of how she came to know the church was true

This baptism was the best event I have been to that I can remember.. because the spirit was so strong in the room and throughout the entire program it seemed there wasn't a dry eye. I want to make a little tribute to Jane Noblitt. 

     Jane had 9 brothers... her mother died when she was four.. She grew up in Massachusetts. She had an extremely difficult childhood

    Jane took care of three triplet girls until they were from the time they were babies until they were 18, because their mother couldn't.

     She always wanted to have her own children but could not.. so she adopted one boy. She said she used to cry alot and ask God why He didn;t allow her to have her own children.. then she finally decided that there were so many children around that needed her love already that weren't getting it. 

  Jane was a nurse for many years... she prides herself in caring for others.. it's her favorite thing to do. She always talks about how god made us to serve others and to help and love one another.. if there is anyone she comes in contact she says she tries to give them as much love as she can.. so they can feel the love God has for them.

   She opened a Bakery in Columbus, montana and also a cleaning business

   She can build things because she grew up with so many brothers.. she built her a shop for her late husband all by herself and shingled the roof of her own house.

    She was in a serious car accident that caused her jaw to shatter and had to have many back surgeries and was told by doctors that she would be a vegetable her whole life.. But after many years she taught herself to walk again.  She also had a stroke which caused her to lose her some of her memory.. she forgets names because of it.

     She lost her "hubby" as she calls him a couple years ago... And ever since went into a little slum of deppression because she feared he was gone forever and she'd never see him again.. she prayed for something to happen.. She asked God to help her make things right again...

   Sister Buchanan my companion.. (a few weeks before I came) was walking down the streets of Columbus doing missionary work one day when her and her comp at the time passed A lady in a blue coat. on the street... they passed her without saying anything and then Sis Buchanan felt very strongly that she needed to talk to the Lady.. So they ran back awkwardly and talked with Jane.. they asked her if she wanted to meet them and learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ.. She cried and said yes, I just lost my husband and am having a very hard time..

     They saw her a few times before i came to the mission... the first time I met Jane I felt an instant connection with her. I tell my companion.. maybe it is because she is so similar to my Mummi (grandmother) and is so Christ like and loving.. you can't help but love her back. 

   In my talk on Baptism I said that Jane had changed my life. She taught me more about love and service and coming closer to Christ than I taught her. I saw a change in her since we started teaching her the lessons.. I witnessed her depression fade.. I saw a new hope and renewed faith.. with every visit. She now has courage and knowledge which she says she had once forgotten.. but now remembers. . That one day she can be with her husband again. 

   I know that God must REALLY love Jane. I figure He must love me too for allowing me to be a part of her life. . and apart of her experience of being baptized.