Family and Friends,

Good day! I am alive and doing very well compared to last week. It truly has been a miracle of how I am still alive and working hard. I received my new little missionary on Tues. and she is SOOOOOOOOO AWESOME! Her name is Sister McKenzie Hall, from Kaysville, UT, and is one of the greatest missionaries ever. I just love her                                                          .Tuesday...

I was really nervous about the whole training thing with my headaches, etc. All day I would pray and pray, I don't think I stopped praying for the strength to do this. I truly felt like I was at my weakest point and If I were to train a new missionary I wanted to do the best or I did not want to do it at all. I was waiting in line nervously waiting for the AP's to call my name and again...praying. I ran into the room with biggest smile I could give at the time and as soon as I met her I felt the overpowering grace of God. I'm pretty sure this is how love at first site feels. ha ha.  A couple days before I had received a priesthood blessing for my concussion and in that blessing it mentioned that my new companion and I would become best friends and we would be able to carry forth the work in the way we needed.

Sister Hall exhausted and fell asleep writing in her journal.

That night as we were driving home we stopped by the house to pick up a coat and we immediately started tracting. As we were knocking doors I realized that I didn't have a headache. :D What? It truly was a miracle. I made a big seen and jumped up and down a couple of times and thanked Heavenly Father for strengthening me in my weakness. The strength to carry on continued day after day, after day. Everyday this last week I have been able to put forth my best effort into the work and feel good. I am still a little foggy, cant read any books, and get baby headaches, but its the greatest feeling ever to BE MYSELF AGAIN.

I found a new light in myself that I never felt. I was humbled and learned that by letting people help you doesn't mean you are weak. I had to let go of a lot of ego that was holding me back to do the Lord's will and try to see what the Lord was trying to teach me out of all of this. As I tried to change my attitude and humble myself, I truly felt as though I could call upon the powers of heaven and ask for the strength of angels. I will testify that, that was the only way I was able to put one foot in front of the other and have so much success this week. The scripture in Ether 12:27 has gone to deeper meaning to me;

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Smiling Through The Pain!

Thank you for all the prayers that have gone my way. I felt them everyday heal me and remind me that I had many people back home that love me. I am still banned from any sport in the mission right now, he he. But I am grateful that I could learn eternal truth from this experience. God truly calls us in our weakness, but will ALWAYS qualify us. I am grateful that our Savior died and over came death for us, so that we could have that same hope of Eternal Glory. I know that when no one else knows how you feel, our Savior Jesus Christ does. That is one of the greatest gifts of the Atonement. He will know how to help us perfectly. Ahh...makes me smile every time I think of that!

D&C 35:13; " Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised to thrash the nations by the power of my spirit; 14. And there arm shall be my arm, and I will be there shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them."

Feel better/Valentine's Flowers

Sister Hall is outstanding! I cannot say enough about her. When I heard all the new missionaries bear their testimonies of the Savior at our training I felt so confident in handing over the WA-TAC to them. The Lord has prepared them well, they are confident and ready to work hard. I am so excited for anyone who is preparing for a mission. It will mold and change their life in ways you wouldn't think possible. He will help you become who he needs you to be as you work in your weakness and give your all to him,  He will always make up the difference.

 

Tierra's Baptism from last week.

I love the WA-TAC, but even more I love my Savior.

Sister Phillips

Spirit of God

Hello everybody,

 

Oh my goodness where do I even start. This week has been a roller coaster to say the least. I found out on Tues. that I did not just have a minor concussion, but that it was pretty bad. The doctor put me on strict orders to be pretty much brainless for the next week. They call it "brain rest". I couldn't tract, read-including Scriptures :(, watch TV (restoration of course), or write. It was HORRIBLE. I told the doctor, who is my bishop, that I wish I would have broken a bone because at least I could still think.

 

It's been a week since it's happened and it's gotten a little better, but not much. I tried to read the other day and that was a BAD idea I ended up having the worst headache ever. Concussion + Missionary do not mix well together. I am go go go and this has made me really give up my pride and realize that missionaries can have breaks too. It was sad at church yesterday that everyone commented that they knew Sister Phillips wasn't feeling well because her smile was fake :( I even got escorted out of ward council, ha ha. My bishop could tell that my head was hurting and I was annoyed with the situation that was going on. So during the middle of someone talking he said, "Sisters you probably could leave now." And my stubborn self, I said, "NO bishop we need to stay." Then he gave me the fatherly look that said, "you better get your bumb home right now and rest." I didn't argue after that. ha ha.

 

It was amazing this week to see the help of the Lord in my life this week when I was so down. Because I haven't been able to have my usual personal study which consits of the Book of Mormon and PMG, I had to find another way to study. So I found a CD player and have been listening to general conf. talks :). At first it was hard to listen so intently to remember what I had been taught throughout the day, but now I have turned into a pro listener. :D Each day I pray that I can hear the promptings of the spirit and that the Lord will bring things back to my remembrance.I told Sister Nanto I am convinced that God has a funny sense of humor. I needed to learn to slow down and she needed to learn to let people help me and she needed to learn to be more sensitive.She agreed.

ha ha.  

 

We got our transfer calls and I am staying in Steilacoom and training :) Sister Nanto is going to the one place she didn't want to go, Tacoma, but I know she is going where she is needed. She will also be training and new little girl. We actually got them while we were eating dinner at Outback steakhouse. I was great! Our bishop gave us a gift card there for Christmas and we haven't been able to use it because there never open for lunch, so we went with them sat. night after our baptism. yum yum!

 

At the end of the week the Lord blessed us with an amazing Miracle. Tierra Smith was baptized!!!!! I have talked about her a lot because we have been teaching her for about five months and I am convinced she is my kindred spirit, ha! Her dad agreed that he would sign it-she did not want to wait until next week,  so she did it that night. All the youth from her seminary and YW class came to support her. My heart is so full for this girl. I look at her more as my little sister than anything else. Her baptism was something that I will never forget and have been still pondering on the spirit that touched me there. I told Tierra before the baptism started that when she goes to sit down to sometime look back and see all the people that are standing behind her and remember that she is not alone. She did not have any of her immediate family there, but she had her ward family.

 

This has been a long journey for her, the adversary has constantly been attacking and throwing road blocks in her way, but she does not move. Her feet are planted in the Gospel, her testimony is in her Savior, and she knows that she is a daughter of God. As I look at her I see many opportunities that she will have in her future to change lives of others when she can share her story with them. The closing hymn that she chose that night was not chosen by chance. As we sang the Spirit of God I felt an overwhelming presence there and I  knew without a doubt that there were angels there with us that night shouting for joy!   

The latter-day glory begins to come forth;
The visions and blessings of old are returning,
And angels are coming to visit the earth.
We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven,
Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!
Let glory to them in the highest be given,
Henceforth and forever, Amen and amen

 

I know that the armies of heaven will be round about us as we are fighting for righteousness. As we go forward throughout the day remember that you are not alone and believe it. (2 kings 6:17-18). I have a firm testimony that is still flowing through me this day that God is a God of miracles and that he will always stand beside us as we are in his army.  I know that trials are always an opportunity for growth and sacred experiences that help us become who he needs us to be. Even though I may feel scared to death to train because I am not as healthy as I should be, I know the Lord will make up the difference through his Amazing Grace!

 

I love you all,

Sister Phillips

 

Why Why Why!!!!

Family,

Well I am writing you today recovering from a minor concussion. Yesterday (pday) we always play dodge ball with the Spanish elders. I am the only sister that plays with 15 elders who throw the ball extremely hard. I am actually pretty good and have almost won like 3 times. ha ha. But yesterday dang Elder Bryce who is 6'10 through the ball so hard and didn't see me. Well guess where is hit me????? Directly in the face! Oh man I swear my face is a gravitational field for dodge/volley/basketballs. Every time! My face swelled up like a cherry and my lips felt like I just received botox injections. Last night my R. eye was swollen and I have two little green/yellow eyes. Its awesome! My head hurts today and feels foggy, but my comp is a great care giver and makes me take meds.

Besides that the week was GREAT!

For the past couple days Lakewood has been really smoggy, which makes Western States (mental hospital) look REALLY creepy. I tried to get Nanto to walk around it with me in the dark, but she wouldn't. Probably a good idea! I'm ready for the sunshine to come back!

We had a great lesson with Isto, Cindy and Ameria last Tuesday. We found out that Cindy is actually a member (mom). She was baptized as a youth in Sipan and when she was split from her mom she never had the chance to go back. She also has a brother that she has been feeling like she needed to contact and he served a mission for our church. We are now helping her find him :) That will be a great reunion and hopefully he can help them come back. Isto came to church by himself this Sunday because everyone was at home sick. He is a great guy. When we taught the Resto. you could just see the light bulb come on when we talked about the prophet and twelve apostles.

This weekend "everybody loves Raymond" was baptized and confirmed. It was a great baptism. We had a lot of ward there to support and it was amazing to see this young family come together through the gospel. At the end of Raymond's baptism our ward mission leader asked if Debora, his wife, would share with everyone her testimony. There wasn't a dry eyes in the room after she finished. I was so proud of her. As a missionary it is so fulfilling to see them voice so confidently there own testimony of the restoration. I remember the exact day when we knocked on Debora's door and the promptings that lead us to her and eventually to her husband. My testimony is always strengthened when we decided to follow those still, small, quiet, sometimes unrealistic, but true promptings the spirit gives to each of us. I've learned to trust and follow. God promises us that if we will DO, the power will follow. I have to work on that everyday and be reminded constantly, but the knowledge and strength that comes from Acting to me is priceless. Always ACT. Be your own agent and not an object!

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught;

"That faith is the principle of Action and of power in all intelligent beings."

I hope that we can all remember that even though not everyone is set apart to be a full-time missionary or ward missionary, you are always a missionary!

I love you all and hope you have a great week full of spiritual promptings that you take courage and act upon!!

Love,

Sister Phillips

  

Hello...

Wow, I saw the pictures of Vernal! It looks like Disneyland there. I wish we had snow so bad. I am praying for another crazy snow storm like we did last year. :) The Washingtonians are praying they will never have snow. They are so bitter towards it. It has been a lot colder here. My toes are usually frozen every night and I have to come home and un thaw them. The plus is that when it's this cold that usually means the sun is out during the day...so that makes up for the cold weather.

This week in the beautiful wa-tac has been a hard couple days leading up to a great ending. All week Sister Nanto and I were sick. We both had sinus colds, coughs, and hardly any energy, but we didn't stop working. We knew that we could do it and with everything going on with our investigators we needed all the extra help we could get. Thank goodness for awesome people who serve us warm tea door side ;)

During the week it seemed that a lot of our appointments kept falling through or everyone was sick. Only half of our ward was there on Sunday because everyone either has a cold or the flu :( Sunday rolled around and when I woke up that morning my first thought was, "today is going to be a good day." As we went to church there were two families who weren't able to make it, Tierras fellowship left for church without her (seriously?) and Sister Weaver ended up getting really sick, so she couldn't speak in our ward. I decided to push through it and remember what I thought that morning.

President Weaver still spoke and gave a great talk. I don't know what I will do without that guy. Everyone should have a P.Weaver in there life. The best part about sacrament was when President started to speak he choked up as he was expressing how sad he was that he didn't have his companion at his side. He really missed Sister Weaver because they are never apart. She goes everywhere with him. We love it! Throughout this week we have been working with a lot of families that are struggling with there marriages. It has been very discouraging. Some nights Sister Nanto and I would come home and be convinced that we are NEVER to get married. Then on Sunday when I heard my mission President speak about his wife is such a tender and respectful way, it reminded us that there is hope!! feew!

One of our awesome ward missionaries left church and picked up Tierra. The Hull family magically appeared at church. They had the hardest time coming at 1 pm and they came at 9 am??? I had to rub my eyes to make sure it was really them. I was so happy and it ended up being exactly what they needed. The Garcia family (Raymond, Debora and Bridgett) came to church in there little matchy outfits. They are the "talk" of the ward right now. Everyone loves them and are already planning there temple date.

After leaving church yesterday I was reminded why we work hard EVERYDAY. When it's 5pm, twenty degrees outside and the last thing we want to do is knock doors...you do it anyway. I love when we are finished because you have the greatest feeling of satisfaction. Even though we may not have found anyone who was interested, it doesn't matter because God will always bless you. Weather it be that night or the next week, blessings will always follow.

After Church we went finding for a couple of hours. Froze. Then we had a lesson with Tierra. She had told us that her mom said she wouldn't sign the baptismal rec. because she wouldn't sign anything she didn't believe in. BUT she didn't say she could send it to her dad and he could sign it! Her dad and her mom have joint custody. We immediately called President Weaver and he said if she could get it signed by her dad that she was good to go. MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why didn't we think of this sooner?? I truly believe that her mom's heart was just soft enough to allow her to have her dad's permission. So today she is sending the record off and we are planning a baptism for Jan. 26th. I have a strong conviction that Tierra's faith has led her to this. She is a remarkable young women and I recall a scripture that made me think of her journey thus far....

".....know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7)

We then had a lesson with the Garcia's. We invited Dawn and her son Kaunu to our lesson and when they got there they brought there whole family. p.s. there Polynesian. It ended up being so much fun. The lesson was great. We taught the gospel and the Macuguys bore wonderful testimonies of there conversions that brought the spirit so strongly. I asked Raymond If he would be baptized this Saturday. And he said that he always wanted to be baptized because when he was younger the other churches told him until he got baptized he wore the devils tail. ha ha. Raymond is a great guy. I am so thankful for that cute family. I am even more grateful for the powerful influence the spirit can have upon a heart. (2 Ne. 33:1-2)

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I invite you all to read Alma 5. Look at all the questions that Alma asks and ask them to yourself. I love the Book of Mormon and I know that it is true. I love you all.

Sister Phillips

This picture was the day before it dropped to the 20's

I was so happy that day and had no idea what we were in for haha.

Family,

I hear it is frigid in Vernal :/ Well I will not be complaining about how cold and wet it is here in Washington anymore! lol.

I hope you all had a great New Years and week. Sister Nanto made a new years resolution last year not to drink any soda. So guess what we did on new years??? Drank root beer haha. It just so happened that when we went to the island the Higgenbothoms gave us these cool glass mugs with root beer in them. Worked out perfect.

On Dec. 5th Debora was baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was so great. She was so excited and prepared for this. Her husband came and really liked it.

I remember feeling prompted that we needed knock our apt. bldg. Past sisters had told us not to because we couldn't, but I couldn't ignore the constant promptings I was receiving. So we knocked and the last door we knocked on we met Debora. She invited us over the next day and it was only up hill from there. It is so rewarding to hear her bear her testimony to her husband now about how she knows that it is true. Raymond came to the baptism and really enjoyed it.

 I can't even say enough about how influential members are.

When you have new people coming in, they are so scared and out are of there normal surroundings. It is up to us as members to go out of our way to help them feel Christ's love. That is why grandma allowed us to start teaching her. Because when she came to church the warmth and love from all of the ward members softened her heart to allow for the spirit to speak truth to her!

On Sunday it was a bit crazy. We had to be on the Island that Sunday, but because of the time change we were no longer able to go to both. So we went on a split this Sunday. The summit sisters came with us. I prepped Sister Gurr for this Sunday because I knew if we weren't on top of it, it could be a disaster. We had 4 confirmations that morning and by the time they were done it only left about 15 min. for testimonies. It was AWESOME!!!!! Who wouldn't want a whole sacrament full of confirmations, me, me, me!!!! We then had two families came and this is where our ward members become Celestial members. We didn't even hardly have to worry. They took them right under there wing and made sure that everyone got to where they needed to go. It was a beautiful Sunday.

We then went to the Stower's for dinner. They are a really big Samoan family. Sister Gurr didn't eat all of her dinner and one of the kids totally called her out. They made something that is very traditional Samoan food. I didn't think it was bad, but Gurr did not like it. So, if you know Samoans, they will cause a riot until you eat it. Gurr is a very funny person and very strong willed. So she grabbed the whole thing and shoved it in her mouth. She was ready to loose it on the dinner table. And it didn't help that we were all laughing our heads off. But she let it sit in her mouth for a good 5min and then she had to spit it out. I wish I would have had that on video. hahaha. They now respect her!

We then went to the Tacoma fireside and poor Gurr was feeling so sick. I just had to laugh about it. The fireside was amazing. It was great to see some of the ward members from my ward. Sister Weaver gave me the opportunity to share my testimony about Jesus Christ. It was very special to me. I think I needed that more than anyone. I shared a story about my mom and about this beautiful picture of Christ she got for Christmas that is now in our home. When I saw that picture, Christ spoke to me and reminded me of the Love he has for our families and for ALL of his children. Christ came to this earth to be like us, so in return we would one day want to be like him. He asks us to come to know him, then to Do. When you know something you act upon it. Then he asks us to to let him make of us something extraordinary. To transform us, to use his Atonement and BECOME like him, so that we can return home to the live with the father.

I will forever be grateful for Christ. My testimony isn't much, but I am learning and it will continue to grow. I know that his gospel is true. That is the Book of Mormon has power and will soften a heart. I love you all and for all of you examples. Sister Phillips 

At sister Lyles farewell.  She was has been called  to serve in Japan.

Family,

I cant believe that we will be rolling in the new year TOMORROW! Will it really be 2013?

The year of 2012 has been one of the greatest years of my life!

So many lessons learned that I know could not have come in any other way.

My testimony has been transformed

I have learned to love and...not love some things

Found myself in a different light

Pushed the limit

New friends

Learned a lot about pain

Listening to the spirit

How awesome my family is...that was already a given!

Over came adversity

Climbed new mountains

Found new loves

I now love peppers!

Not a lover of meat

Gone green

Learned to appreciate the SUN

Overcame fears

Be BOLD

Love all, hate NO ONE

If you seek...you will find!

Becoming is the greatest of all.....

Faith isn't as easy as people say

Just DO

Giving up is never an option

God loves all his children

The atonement is infinite

TRUST in the Lord Jesus Christ

I have leaned so many things that I feel I couldn't adequately express myself.

" Yea, who can say too much of his great power and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering

towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel."

(Alma 26:16)

This week has been soul searching for me in many ways. But one of the greatest miracles was that the Perkins family was baptized. Bill received the priesthood that Sunday and then that evening he was able to baptize his mom, wife, and daughter. It was a very tender moment to see a family come together through the sacred ordinance of baptism. It was so cute. Bill was so nervous, but at the end they all hugged and were so happy. Grandma Billie has a special place in my heart. She reminds me a lot of Radmilla with her sweet innocent spirit and there little fragile bodies. It's been a blessing to have been apart of this modern day miracle. The greatest thing I love about this family is that they all sought for an answer and they all got it in different ways. Not one of them followed behind because that's what the family was doing. Instead they all individually asked God if this was true and they all received there individual answer.

It reminded me that God is very mindful of his children and what they need. It also took my mind back to the story of our prophet Joseph Smith. When he went into the grove of trees that day to pray and ask God what church to join, he had no idea what God was going to tell him. If God had told him to be a Methodist  baptist, or catholic, that's what he was going to to. He had something that the scriptures refer to as, "real intent". He had faith that whatever God told  him to do, it would be right!

When we go into prayer with that same "real intent" God will answer us. I know he will. It might now be in the way or in the timing we imagined it to be, but He will. Have patience and trust that he is there.

I love you all and with you the best NEW YEAR EVER!!!

Love,

Sister Phillips 

Family,

I am staying in Steilacoom another six weeks with Sister Nanto. The ward is already planning on killing me, so I hope I can stay next transfer too! :) If you haven't noticed I have a track record with staying in areas for six months, so hopefully it will stick. I am excited to stay with Sister Nanto-I come to love her more and more every week.

This week has been really fun! We had our ward mission party, which is always the talk for the month. President and Sister Weaver really do spoil us here in the WA-TAC. I really believe I have the BEST mission president in the world. So I hope everyone gets called to the WA-TAC :D I will be looking for the little Vernalite who will arrive in this blessed land today. I will make him feel EXTRA welcome!!

Spencer and Bill were both confirmed on Sunday! It was a really special Sunday. There blessings were so beautiful and perfect for them. Bill's talked a lot about missionary work and the example he would be for his family in bringing them to the gospel. After sacrament meeting I went to shake Bill's hand and he asked us if we could teach him cute mom. She came to Church to watch him get confirmed and was touched by the spirit. I know this family will one day be an eternal family, so as we do His will I know that it will all work out in His own timing!

Brenda Pearson also came to church. This is Ben and Sid's mom. She has been really less active and every Sunday we go by to see if she will come and she is always sick or cant go. But this Sunday we didn't do anything and she got herself her own ride and everything. :D Ben told her that she needs to go every week. ha ha. Those boys are the greatest examples!

Thursday we went to Anderson Island to teach a man named Jeff. He is a really cool guy. He said he's always wanted to be a Mormon, but he can't stop chewing his "tabaka" not Tabasco ha ha. He is a character. We gave him confidence that he could, so he is starting to cut back so he can prepare for baptism.But on our way back one of the deck hands, Doug who we are teaching slowly as we ride on the ferry  let us go up top to see the captain-THEN- Captain Bruce then let us drive the ferry!!!! It was so cool. As I was driving a cute little seal swam in front of us. I was so excited because everyone tells me they see whales, seals and all kinds of sea life in the sounds, but I never see anything. So now I know they are not lying and there really are animals in the sound :)

This week is Christmas (almost). I have been pondering a lot about what that means to me. When I was younger me and my younger brother would come home from school everyday and count the presents under the Christmas tree. If we did not have the same amount we would get all upset and our mom would have to explain to us that we were fortunate enough to even have these, but as kids that went through one ear to the other.

As I have gotten older and realized more and more about what Christ wants me to understand about his holiday, I reflect back to the scripture in Luke 2:12;.

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

 While being here in Washington I think that Christmas on your mission is the BEST. It's because I have had the chance to be held back and to see the Christ in Christmas. I am someone who loves, loves, buying gifts for others, and could easily get lost in the worldly sense, but this year I have found Christ. I have come to experienced that  the greatest gifts we can give is the spirit, so that he can help people see Christ for themselves. He lives! I know that to be true because I am living proof of his reality and Atonement. Look for those signs that Christ has given to you to "come unto him" and you will to be given the greatest gift this Christmas season as well!

I invite you all to read Luke 2 and 1 Nephi 19 with your families before Christmas or on Christmas day.

I love you all,

Sister Phillips