Practical Solutions To Everyday Missionary Problems!

What to do when...

• Somebody runs away from you because they know you are LDS Missionaries: Run after them. They are still children of God. Ha, just kidding, don't do that. They don't like that.

• People throw things at you out of their cars when you are on your bike: Smile and throw them a pamphlet. If  you make it in their window, you win. Ha, just kidding, don't do that either.

• Someone slams their door in your face: Leave a picture of Jesus in their door jam with your number on it. They will definitely call you ;)

• Someone feeds you something really weird for dinner: Eat it all, and then write about it in your journal, so you can tell your kids. Weird food builds character!

• Someone brakes into your car and steals all of your favorite things: WHY are you keeping all of your favorite things in your car? Stop it. Park in the garage.

• All of your appointments fall through: Pray! Heavenly father knows where you need to be, and who needs you.

• The bishop announces from the pulpit that you and your companion will be the speakers for sacrament meeting because the speakers didn't show up: Pray harder! You are going to need it.

•  You have 9 hours of church every Sunday, because you cover 3 wards: BRING SNACKS (and stickers for the children) Enjoy the Air Conditioning!

To all the missionaries out there (full-time, part-time, or free-time) Keep your chin up. Things will work out!

"Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good."
       -D&C 90:24



Love,

Sister Snyder

 

Park in your garage, everybody!

Top 5 Reasons Why Missions Are Pretty Cool

I don't think it's a secret that I LOVE being a missionary. But, let me explain myself.

1. THE MEMBERS. The members of the Church that I serve with are absolutely the most wonderful, delightful people you will ever meet. Everyone deserves a chance to come and live in Mesa, Arizona for at least 18 months. These people know what it means to fulfill their callings. They know what it means to be Christlike, they know what is important, and they know how to live the Gospel faithfully, throughout their whole lives. They are all my heroes.

2. THE PEOPLE I "TEACH". Wow. What can I say about the people that I have the opportunity to sit down and share the Gospel with. They are brave and strong, and I have seen some of them change their lives so completely, because they want so badly to be closer to their Savior. They have certainly taught me more than I have taught them. Change is not easy. Conversion is not easy. But, it's not supposed to be. The people that I have taught, and especially those that have been baptized have given up so much, but they only did it because they had faith that God would give them so much more for their sacrifice. I hope to someday have that kind of faith.

3. OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS. Guess what, being obedient is fun! Yep, that's what I said. All we have to do to recieve blessings and see miracles is be obedient.Being a missionary has given me a really good opportunity to try my hardest to be obedient, not only to mission rules, but also to the principles of the gospel. A good example of this is scripture study(WHOO-HOO!). Every morning, we have 1 hour of personal study, and 2 hours of companion study. It's the best part of my day! Before my mission, studying in general(school/scriptures) was a hard concept for me to grasp... to say the least. The blessings that I have received from studying from the scriptures every day have been so great! I've recieved answers to my personal concerns, answers for my investigators, and I feel my faith and knowlege grow every day. Those blessings are priceless, and I'm only able to receive them through being obedient. Also, I'm looking forward to being a much better college student, with higher grades :)

4. MY COMPANIONS. My companions have been amazing. They have all been different, and we've had our different struggles, but I have learned from each of them. My current companion, Sister Bickmore is the best. She's brand new to the mission, but she has taught me more about being a missionary than I have taught her. We are together 24/7, but I haven't gotten tired of her. Yet. ;)

5. MY MISSION PRESIDENT & HIS WIFE. President and Sister Jenkins are the most inspiring people I have ever met. They have only been in the mission for about 4 months, but they have been very influential in my life. A few months ago, Elder Cardon of the Seventy came to our mission, and told us that we had one of the best Mission Presidents in the world. I believe him! They both do anything and everything that they can for us. I will use things the things that they have taught me for my whole life.

So, that's why I love my mission. Oh, and Arizona has the most beautiful sunsets in the world. So that's good too :)

Love,

Sister Snyder

My Testimony

I'm leaving for the Provo MTC tomorrow morning! OH DANG! I'm very, very, very, happy. That's all I can say about that. Why am I leaving everything behind for 18 months to teach Arizonians about the gospel? Long story short, here’s why: 

I know that God lives, and that He has a plan for all of His children. I know that He sent His only beloved son, Jesus Christ to this earth so that he could bleed from every pore in The Garden of Gethsemane, and die on the cross. I know that He felt the pain of every sin, and every heartache. I know that He was resurrected from the tomb, and lives now. Because of this Atonement, He paid for our sins, and we have a chance to return to our loving Father in Heaven. We have a chance to go home. This is why I need to go on a mission. There are people who don’t know that God loves them. HE DOES! He knows us and wants to see every one of us again. I also know that we are not here by coincidence, but that we were planned and we have a purpose. I know that God loved us enough in the time that we were with Him before this life that He created a plan for us, the Plan of Salvation, which centers around sacrificing his own beloved son. If anything should make you feel loved by god, this selfless sacrifice should. I want all of God’s children to know who they are, and why they are here. Life is hard, but we don’t have to be lost. The gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has brought me so much happiness and direction. I know that there is someone in Arizona who needs that happiness and direction in their life too. I love my Father in Heaven. I love my Savior. Because they live, we can live. I think it will be 18 months very well spent.  

Love,

Sister Snyder