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.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
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
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
Monday, December 12, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, December 5, 2011
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
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
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