Monday, April 28, 2014

DON'T EAT PETE!

haha.. I had a memory of this game yesterday... I tried not to laugh out loud but it was too funny.  So then I made the Zachary's play with Sister Stiles and me last night, don't worry it's still fun. 

How are you all doing?  Did you enjoy your week?   I thought it was a pretty solid week...like a rock kind of week ya know?

So here is the goal of today's e-mail, tie the game Don't eat Pete into the gospel.  I tried to yesterday with several epic fails so bear with me.  Oh speaking of bears, we went to a Fireside with Kim and her grandkids (recent convert and non-member children)  about the bear guy!  Remember Michael Dunn? He got attacked by a bear and lived to tell the tale?  Yup he is pretty awesome.  I'm pretty sure I listened to this story when I was like 10... don't know why the memory takes me back that far.  Dad did we have a recording of it or something?  anyway it was so cute.  Little Madison was so mesmerized by the story and was super excited at the end and told Sister Stiles "I don't know what it is but I need to find the holy ghost, I need to find it!"  She wants to start coming to church with Kim!  (she's 8)  so that could be a cool teaching opportunity.  Have I told you about Kim before?  She's fantastic and we love her a lot.

Another cool moment from this week, we were on an exchange so I was with Sister Stutler, she's a sweetheart from Arizona, and we were out and about searching for Miracles when all of a sudden we decided to knock on a door of a less active member (back story I have previously knocked on the door and meet an elderly Turkish lady that didn't speak English thinking I was brilliant I started to speak Spanish to her (because I pretend I speak Spanish on my good days) only to realize that not everyone that doesn't speak English speaks Spanish... Sister Youngberg thought that was hilarious)  So we knocked on the door and asked for the member who wasn't home yet again, but the girl that answered seemed nice so we asked her if she knew anything about the book of mormon (because we're missionaries so that's what the habit is that we do)  She said no but she would like to know more.  I was stunned... that doesn't happen like ever.. usually they just say no and shoe us away... I didn't even know what to do when someone was so sincerely seeking the gospel... Poor Sister Stutler must think I'm crazy but we got her phone number and will hopefully start teaching her and her sister.

So pretty much the Fairview ward is starting to sprout miracles yet again.  It never ceases to amaze me how good the Lord is to us.  He blesses us so much in our time of need.  So here is how all of this relates to "don't eat pete"  Sometimes as missionaries we knock door after door with the mentality that perhaps this next door will actually be pete... sometimes we are afraid to pick our next step perhaps we fear because we don't want to fail?  But as you press forward you will find that we cannot live in fear we must have the faith that Heavenly Father will direct our paths.  (so maybe that's a really pathetic attempt to tie pete in... you try!)  How has the Lord directed your path this week?   I love you all and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as a missionary right now :)  Make good choices and don't eat pete!

Love Always,

Sister McMaster
One more temple picture! aren't these sisters adorable? Yup I thought so too!


Monday, April 21, 2014

The Moral of the Story is: Care.

Hello family that I love!

How are you all doing?  Good to hear from some of you, I hope you all know how fantastic you are.  Did you have a good week?? It was a pretty crazy week here in the middle of corn fields (that are currently being planted!)   We got to go to the temple!  I love the temple so much.  It was such a spiritual boost that was so needed.    Being Easter my thoughts were very focused on the Savior.  He is the key to the plan of salvation.  He is so central to everything.  I am so grateful that he fulfilled his calling, I'm so grateful he paid the price for us, because he loves us.  How incredible it is that the reason he did what he did was because he cares.   1 Peter 5:7 is one of my favorite scriptures lately, we must cast upon him all our cares because he cares.   How powerful is that?  He loves us, so we need to let him carry us through our problems.  Sometimes being a missionary can be overwhelming, but when I remember to turn to the Savior, to cast upon him all my cares, everything is better.  He doesn't want us to suffer, he wants to teach us to turn to him.  For that reason I am grateful for the trials he has given me.  I'm so grateful that he is teaching me to become strong.  I love the Savior so much.

Did you have a Happy Easter?  Such a remarkable holiday, I hope you were all able to reflect the gift that the Savior has given to each one of us.   Sister Stiles and I gave a training this week at our Zone Training, it was exciting to bounce up and down (because that's what I do when I'm excited)  and bear testimony of our Savior's love, and his promise that he will help us return to our Father in Heaven as we do our best and never give up.  I love sharing the gospel, it's invigorating.   You should all do it everyday.  You'd have no bad days because the spirit will turn it into the best day ever.  That's actually a goal I set with myself, to write down why today is the best day ever... It's an ongoing competition with yesterday.   I know though that as I've focused on the Care, of this work that my attitude has changed.  We share because we care... (creative slogan vaguely familiar?)    I hope you know how much I care about each of you.  I love you all so much and am so grateful to call you my eternal family.  

Love you forever, 


Sister McMaster




Monday, April 14, 2014

Back in Tights!

Hi!  it snowed last night, so yay for freaking weird Nebraska weather!

This week was a really good week.  We were all over the place, we've been trying to get Sister Stiles all situated with the ward and help her know who everyone is.  We're doing pretty well actually!  We took invitations to Jason's baptism to everyone and their dog (because we didn't have church so they didn't get to make an announcement)  They're the coolest invitations ever, I'll show you one day okay?    


Jason's baptims!! :)


Jason's Baptism was so cool!  It was such a humbling experience to see someone making sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven.  I got to speak about baptism and it was awesome because Angie was there and I felt like I was able to direct my thoughts to Jason but also to Angie who wants so badly to be baptized but has things in her way still.   I shared my favorite water skiing story (mostly because I really like telling stories... I think I told this story in my farewell talk... who knows...)  but it was cool to relay how accepting the gospel and being baptized is how we can put our trust in God, it's how we trust his plan, we accept his will and we take a leap of faith.  I am so grateful that we have such a loving Heavenly Father that patiently waits as each of his children struggle and fall down of their faces as they come to find that his hand has always been stretched out for them to hold.  

Jason's confirmation was another story.... There we were sitting patiently in the chapel... I was pointing out and telling sister Stiles the names of lots of people when  weirdly familiar faces walked in... after like a triple take I recognized it as Kim and Joseph... what little turds!  They found me!  haha it was weird how normal it was to see them.  Then after being kind of shocked we realized that Jason still hadn't shown up and it was time for the meeting to start.  The bishop was sending us worried texts and looks and we frantically tried to go find him....  He showed up after the Sacrament!(because the member that was his ride slept in oops!) Phew.. I was stressing out.  But the best part was that Brother Brown got to be a part of the ordinance.  He is so incredible.  You all need to meet Brother Brown.  He's simply fantastic.(80 year old man have I told you about him?)  He was so happy he was like bouncing up and down.  And he wore my favorite tie because he's a Stud.  It's yellow so that's why it's my favorite.  

So pretty much that's what happened this week.  It was crazy and fantastic as missionary life always seems to be.  I'm glad to hear your all doing well.  Thanks to all of you for being so supportive and fantastic.  I love you all soooo much.  I am grateful to have you for eternity.  I hope you know how much I really do mean that, Like I don't just say that... I really do appreciate all that each one of you has taught me.  You have made me who I am and I can't take any credit.  You simply are fantastic.  Have a good week!  take care of yourselves and choose the right :)

Love Always,


Sister McMaster

Leadership Council with AMAZING sisters :)

Weekly Planning with Sister STILES! We went to the park and I got 8 bug bites on one leg... then it thunder stormed the next day... snowed the next... go figure!

Monday, April 7, 2014

No More Tights!

Happy Monday Morning! I hope you are all smiling and loving life!  Life flipped upside down again, but what else is new?   Transfers are such a pain! But really their an incredible opportunity for miracles.  So crazy news!  I am staying is Fairview, I was expecting to be booted off the island, but nope they booted Sister Youngberg instead.  You'll never believe it though, She's serving in Pioneer now!  Weird right??  All the people I love serve there so it's okay :)   

 
Parting picture with our dear trio.  I love these Sisters :*)

Birthday party with the Browns and Hartigans (some of my favorite people ever!)

We celebrated Sister Youngberg's birthday the day we found out she was leaving (not going to lie kind of a rough emotionally draining day...)  It was amazing.  The Fairview ward is so wonderful.  I've never crammed so much cake into myself like ever... I am going to miss Sister Y a lot because she is probably the best missionary in the world, she taught me so much and I will always be so grateful to have been her companion.  But I'm excited for the future.  It was time for change, and even though change is hard it helps us grow! :)

So I have a new companion, her Name is Sister Stiles! (Apparently I don't have enough style... ha ha)  She's fantastic! She was serving in KANSAS!  I'm mildly jealous but I'll probably get to serve there eventually.  Anyway, she is from Gettysburg, PA and is the oldest of 9!  So she's basically a rock star and I'm really excited to work with her. 

SISTER STILES!   (blue eyed companion #2)


(Yes it is now warm enough to wear no tights... that was reason for celebration!)

We have a baptism this week!!! Jason was interviewed yesterday and he is ready to be baptized on Saturday!  We are so excited!  We've been going crazy trying to make invitations (since it couldn't be announced in church because we were all at conference) I can't even explain how amazing it is to see someone so excited and prepared to be baptized.  We had a super awkward lesson that perhaps I can someday express to you... (i'm turning red thinking about it)  I wish sister Y could give you the low down... basically the Law of Chastity was a hoot.  Yup.  that's it. 

So conference!  Raise your hand if you feel spiritually fed!  (I'm raising my hand...)   I loved all of the talks.  They were so fantastic and seriously answered all of the questions that have been on my mind lately.  It blows my mind how inspired their messages are.   I loved Elder Hollands talk!  It is something I had been studying lately so It was awesome.  How are you being a defender of the Faith?  As a missionary we defend the faith the best we know how every day.  It's hard sometimes but every time you call upon the powers of heaven for strength to testify your testimony grows.  I have seen that happen so many times I can't deny how true this gospel is.   Another favorite was Elder Scott, he so simply taught how to love those we serve.  That is basically one of the single most important things I have learned as a missionary, to pray for the Charity and Love to serve those that Heavenly Father places in our paths.  I loved his council, and I know I'll be studying that one a lot! 

  Did you all study Preach my Gospel?  I hope so.  I love it.  Study if forever and let me know your insights for how you are able to personally apply it.  Deal?  ;) 
So miracles are happening here in Nebraska and I know their happening all around each of you!  I'm excited to hear that everyone is doing well!  Keep pressing forward.  It's so amazing how the Lord uses us as his instruments in everyday life.  Don't underestimate your influence.  I love you all so much and am always so grateful for you love and support.  Remember who you are!
I love you all and I love this gospel.  Choose the Right!  Agency is your ability to become, let the decisions you make this week help you become the person our Heavenly Father hopes you will become.  Love you forever!

Love,

Sister McMaster