11/10/09

Hey Guys!

Well I have been in the MTC for a full day and oh man, it's exhausting! But very...fun?...OUr schedules are pretty tight --for the most part we spend most of our days in class, learning. How to teach to our Investigators needs. it's pretty cool because it requires us to be intuned with the spirit.

In my classroom, it's called a district. There are 2 other sisters aside from me and my companion and get this, we are ALL going to Rochester NY!! The Elder's in our District are awesome. 4 Elders are goingto Jacksonville Florida, and 2 Elders are going to Anchorage Alaska. It feels like we have been here forever, but we haven't and we are kind of already close. It's weird, but I know it's because of the spirit.

So let me tell you about the first day. I'll just tell you the 3 coolest parts because I only have 10 minutes to finish this. Okay.

1-My Companion is Sister VanDenBerghe, and she rocks my socks off! Honestly her and I had this instant click and we get along SO well and have so much in common. When Iget time, I'll try to send you a picture of her and me. She is from Riverton and know's Andrew. Such a small world.

Oh. And this world get's smaller. So again in my distric there is an Elder Stone from Burley Idaho...We tried comparing ancestors but come to find out his surname was once "Stone."

Oaky so experience 2-The first night we were here, we attended this crash course fo "How to teach the Investigators' needs. So the stories they have are true. True people and it was them, who were here. They did it sort of like a play. The investigator would sit there and 2 missionaries knock on the door and do a discussion but would ask questions. So the guys name is Jon Stone. Retired Fighter Pilot and volunteers at the Red Cross, and the 2 Elder's knocked on the door and asked some questions. Every so often they would pause and have us, the audience, discuss what we know about the investigator. The whole time I fel the spirit so strongly. And we would stop to talk to our companion about what we know so far and which principles of th Gospel we should start off with. I remembered him talking about his wife in the past tense and so I mentioned it to my companion and without my knowledge she raised her hand and said what I mentioned to her and the look we recieved...just rocked me. Well to make a long story short....Afterwards, Jon Stone pulled me and my comp aside and kind of started talking family geneology because of my last name, but what he said next totally moved me in a way. He said "Sisters, I have done this many times and I havge never felt the spirit so strongly then I have with you two." This hit me really hard because I had no idea. Then he continued on to say that whatever he said after what my comp had asked him was true. We asked, "You mentioned your wife before, but not now. Did she pass away? Or do you have feelings of resentment to Heavemy Father for the passing of a loved one?" He responded "You know I do have quite a bit of bitterness because I am tired and I feel so alone." --Right here he looked at us--"A year ago my wife did pass away and ever since then there has been this void and that was why I decided to seek the missionaries again." It was such a cool experience! Wow. and seriously each day gets cooler!

It has been so crazy! Just always on the go from 6AM-10:30PM. I really never have much time for anything. But I love you guys! And hope to hear from you soon!
*uma*
Sister Stone

11/12/09

Hey!

Okay so today is my frist P-Day and it has been pretty sweet so far. We woke up and got all our laundry ready to go, got breakfast and that is where we are right now. We are sitting in the Laundry room writing letters or taking care of our clothes.

Something cool really happened just yesterday actually....um I've been waking up every orning and my throat has just been killing me, and I thought maybe it was just because it was dry...Well not that isn't the case. I'm starting to get sick...and yesterday I had asked Sister Childs (she is our roommate and has been like the mother to us, she is really awesome!) well I asked her if it was possible to recieve a priesthood blessing..and if so who can minister it to me... it had to be our District president or someone in our zone. Well she asked and Elder Malohi'fou told her that him and our other zone leaders could minister it to me, and so we did that yesterday. --I can't even describe the feelings that I had felt when they did the blessing for me...I felt the spirit so strongly that I actually started to cry...and it was so wonderful...afterwards I knew we aren't supposed to but I even told all the Elders who did the blessing...(Elder Hall, Elder Steele, Elder Whisenant, and Elder Malohi'fou) that I really wish I could give them a hug to thank them...Really I can't express to them just how thankful I am for what the did for me. Well something else happened yesterday...So Sis. VDB got a package in the mail and when she was going through it and I was doing some studying and I was reading a verse and...I couldn't concentrate like I couldn't comprehend what it was saying...and then I just felt really off...So I turned to Sis. VDB to see what it could be, and she was just in tears...body shaking...tears...and right then I grabbed hold of her and told her to come with me and we left the classroom and went into an empty room and...come to find out...her Takewondo teacher had a baby a few months ago..bu the baby was in adn out of the hospital...and the baby passed away last week and her parents sent her a clipping of newspaper. So...I did the momly thing I could do...I gave her a hug and we just held onto each other...and the other sisters came in and we all said a prayer...I know there isn't much we can do, but I just wish I can do so much more for Sis VanDenBerghe..because seriously in the last week we have become more like sisters...and even now we just call each other "sister."



The MTC is really nice. It's a really spiritual place. My companions in my rooma nd my distric are just SO AMAZING!! I love them all...they are like my family and it's crazy that in one week we are so close.



I love you all with my heart and I miss you guys!

I will talk to you soon.

*uma*

Sister Stone

11/09/09

It's been almost a week and I love it here at the MTC! My companion is amazing. My roommates are amazing. And 2 of my roommates and my companion are going to Rochester! So I will be able to see them there. There is another Sister in room, her name is Sister Childs, and she is going to Fiji! How cool is that!

Life here is incredible, learning the gospel is hard, but the Teacher's and my district as well as my companion have made it so much easier and kind of fun as well. Yesterday for Sunday we did our Temple walk. It was so much fun! I am truly blessed to have an awesome district and zone. It was crazy fun up on the Temple. We took pictures and I'll send them in the next letter.

I love you guys so much!
Can't wait to hear from you!
*uma*
Sister Stone

MTC Pics Pt 1

PostMart

Hey Everyone! Just so you know. While Jasmine is in the MTC, you can send her stuff and have it get there the same day. Just go to PostMart, by Shopko and Buy Low in Provo. You don't even need a stamp if it's a letter. All packages are $2.00 no matter the size. If your sending her delicious treats, just make sure that they aren't going to spoil because they won't call her out of her classes to get her packages. If you want her to get something that day, just make sure that you go there before 3:30 Monday - Friday and 10:30 am on Saturday. And of course, it does not apply on Sunday's. Thanks guys. Send her lots of letters!!

Random Things About Me that I should have posted along time ago.....

My favorite colors are dark red and green. I am right handed but I am working on the leftie. I sleep in the middle of my bed.I love music! My favorite season is Fall, because I love the many colors that are out. I love chocolate. I love cookies. so therefore I love chocolate cookies! muahaha onto a more serious note.. I was raised by two wonderful, loving parents who did everyting in their power to raise me right. I have 3 brother's and 1 sister, by blood.Around 25-30+ brothers and sister's through adoption over the years. I love my immediate and extended family, they are the solid foundation in my life and I am forever grateful for them. My friends are just as dear to me.Friends are the family members you couldn't have here on this earth. On to more recent news, I am preparing myself to serve as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I will be serving in Rochester, New York at the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center. I am so grateful for this oppurtunity I have to serve the Lord and bring my fellow man onto Christ. I look forward to working hard and getting my hands dirty for the next 18 months!

MTC Address

Hey Guys! Jasmine's Address at the MTC is:

Jasmine Charmaine Kalehua Stone
MTC Mailbox # 109
NY-ROCH 1130
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

She will be there for 3 weeks. Thanks everyone!

My Farewell Talk

Brothers and Sisters, Talofa!

First I want to thank all of you for coming today. Secondly, the last time I can recall ever giving a talk in church was at my older brother’s mission farewell... which was over 10 years ago, so please forgive me if I am a little rusty…

Bishop Toelupe has asked me to talk to you about what helped me come to the decision to serve a mission.

To give you some back ground on my life, as a child I was raised in the church. However the importance of the gospel wasn’t stressed in our lives. Going to church was something we did because my mom wanted us to. So we never really developed an appreciation for the gospel. So as I grew up from my adolescence to my teenage years, I just didn’t really care much for the church and its role in my life.

But looking back on it now, I am grateful for my mother and her persistence in trying to raise us in the light of the gospel.

I can recall a story that I can relate myself to in the scriptures. This young man, like me, was raised in the church. His father was a prestigious leader that had a strong testimony. This young man was Alma the Younger. Something occurred in his life to turn against the church and invite others to do so as well. Like Alma, I had gone through an experience that caused me to turn my back on the church.

I can recall the exact day my life changed for the first time. March 13, 2002. I was only 13 years old and a dear friend of mine had taken his life. This loss struck very deep cord in me because I had recalled being taught that if you are ever in need, the Lord will always be there for you. After hearing the news about my friend, I grew bitter and angry towards the Lord for not being there for my friend in his time of need. I began to believe that if Heavenly Father didn’t save my friend that he didn’t care much for me or would let alone help me in my time of suffering.

From that time on I pushed anything and everything that had to do with the church out of my life. My family didn’t know how to help me; whenever they tried to reach out for me I revolted and closed myself off to them.

Pretty soon I forgot what it was like to live with the spirit… the constant feeling that I carried with me was, Pain, Anger and I always felt a great void; I tried many things to try and fill it but whatever I tried… it could never take away these feelings.

When I was 17 almost 18, I had found that I had slowly allowed the gospel back into my life with the help of a group of people I had grown very close to over the years; as well as my parents and their understanding hearts in allowing me to take me time to heal. They didn’t judge, or ever make me feel like an outcast. They accepted me for who I was and offered me their love. Though I as healing, I still kept my walls intact for fear of being wounded again, and I didn’t want to have to go through that pain all over again, because I didn’t know if would be able to handle it a second time around.

Another moment I remember that changed my life again was when my parents approached us kids about this new ward that had been formed. It was the Samoan ward. They had heard a lot about it and were hesitant at first because they didn’t want to force us into something that we wanted nothing to do with.

But us kids had agreed to go and visit that ward for a day and check it out.

Walking into that chapel gave me a feeling that I had never felt before. The best way I can describe it is like coming home after a long trip. When we had gotten home, again my parents pulled us aside individually and asked us what we had thought. I told them, that I have never experienced anything like that before. I remember having the feeling of peace with me that whole day, it was amazing.

When my parents asked us how we would feel if we transferred our records there, I told them, for that ward, I would attend. So they next thing I knew, we became members of the Orem 9th ward. Then eventually the ward grew and got split and became Provo 10th.

I had been serving in the youth for a while when I found myself in rut. The best way I can describe this is, I had a mid life crisis. Within the very depths of my soul I felt like I needed to be doing something, but I had no clue as to what that was and it got to me pretty bad. One night I called my sister and we were talking and she was trying to give me some comfort and she was like, “I know you never really had a desire to do this, but would you consider going on a mission?”

I was at a loss of words when she had said that to me because the truth is… I never wanted to go on a mission. But for some reason… it felt right. And at first I tried denying it, you know like it was indigestion. But I kept thinking about it and I wanted a confirmation.

So I approached my parents and told them about some concerns I had. Such as my knowledge of the gospel or rather the lack there of. But my dad reassured me that if I work hard and do my best, the Lord will provide a way.

We decided that I should get my patriarchal blessing and that it would help me make my decision… A little under a year ago my parents and I went and got that blessing. Long story short… It mentioned me serving a full time mission. And again I denied it… because it could mean that I would be serving a mission in my later years... so I prayed about it, asking for an answer that it was now that the Lord wanted me to serve a mission.

Well as it turns out, later into that week, every person I had spoken too; “mission” came up without fail. So, I got the picture. The Lord was trying to tell me that He needed me on the front line, bringing the gospel to his children whom are struggling. Like Alma, I hope that I can be the instrument that helps bring the Lord’s children onto Christ.

Not too long after, I got my papers started. And ever since I made the decision in my mind and heart, it had felt like I have been on cloud 9.

My life in general had just felt amazing; I have my family and my friends whom have been the biggest help to me and I am grateful for all that they do and putting up with me. I also have my ward family to whom I am grateful for. You gave me the experiences and the friendship bonds I had missed out on. Serving in the youth gave me the bonds of brothers and sisters, with mother like figures whom I look up to greatly.

I would like to share with you something from my first temple experience. Walking through the doors I was overcome with a feeling of great peace and love. All that I could think about was, “I can’t believe I’m here, I can’t believe I’m here, I can’t believe I’m here.”

Because from when we are young, we are taught that the temple is the house of the Lord, the most sacred place on earth, and I couldn’t believe that I was finally there, I was home. Looking back at my life, I never thought that I would be here. Sometimes we ask ourselves, How can I be forgiven, or I’m not worth it. The lord does not expect us to be perfect. We are bound to make mistakes. That is why our Savior atoned for our sins. The ultimate sacrifice has been paid. And despite what we may think, the lord knows our hearts and the greatness in them. He knows we are worth it.

I am grateful for this opportunity I have to serve as a full time missionary for the Lord because I have never thought that I would get here. 18 months is but a small time frame for the glorious works that will be done. I have hopes that with this mission I can do my part to share the knowledge of the gospel with those who are searching for the truth. I know the path laid out before me will be hard and challenging, but by being steadfast and immovable and have great faith in the Lord, he will always be there for me to give me the knowledge I seek and the strength I need to rise above any obstacle that may come my way.

I encourage the youth to keep an open mind and heart to the Lord, one day he may call on you for your help and your testimony to bring others onto the light of Christ. The Lord works in mysterious ways, you never know of the great plans He has for you, and the blessings that you shall receive for your work.

*Testimony of Atonement and Gospel*

I am so grateful for our Lord and savior for his atoning sacrifice he did for me; I know that it is through our savior Jesus Christ that we all can return home to our Heavenly Father. I’m grateful for Joseph Smith and the role he played in and all his hard work in restoring the true church here on earth. I don’t know where my life would be without the gospel in my life, not only has it brought me happiness but also brought me closer not only to my Heavenly father, but to my family as well. With this I leave you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

First Blog Post EVER!!

Good Day and Salutations!
Well I guess this is sort of like a diary.. right? I'm not gonna lie, I haven't been much of a fan for writing a journal and if I have.. well I'm not that consistent. The last entry I remember writing was.. well over 6 months ago. so please bare with me.
I have little over two weeks left before I leave for my mission! AAHH! it's so crazy that time is slowly going fast. Back in August when I got my call I thought to myself, 'Oh yea, I got plenty of time to get things done and get ready for it.' Yea that flew out the window this last Sunday when it hit me. I have to speak in a week. Crap. I've had three weeks to write this talk and I still haven't written it out. Now don't get me wrong, I know when I want to say.. it's just writing it all out is mundane work for me, and I can't wait for my sister to come back because she can write it all out for me ;D haha jk. But I am excited for her to come home because I can't figure out how to do this blog thing to save my life and I need ALL the help I can get.

But anyways, hopefully tomorrow will be the new day that I finally get my butt into gear and start getting my hands all dirty and get things done! Well Cheers for my first post! and I'll catch you guys on the flip side.

- The one and only, The Incredible Jasmine. (muahaha)