My crazy week!

P day is so busy so sorry that I can't even think straight. My companion and I are sitting here reflecting how awkward our week was we went to a house to see a Hispanic lady that ended up being the house of a very large angry man, with the biggest and scariest dogs I’ve ever seen, that informed us we woke him from his well-deserved nap.
Then we met two men in Wal-Mart today that said they worry a lot, they asked about sex with Mormon women, and then talked about maybe they can convince Mormons to buy stuff from them. Then two families were home and wouldn't answer their doors (we could hear them talking). I lost my planner. A crazy anti-Mormon man came in and was speaking gibberish and shouting “repent ye deceivers!” the police came for this young man. A man called asking 1000 times if elderly people in electric scooters can work in the temple (how would I know?).  ANGRY BIRDS! There was a real life Angry Birds game going on in a home and the little boy threw one at my companion’s head! A bird pooped on a guy yesterday. A homeless woman came in and started crying because she didn't want to be pimped out. There are three large cats that look like they ate a small child that scare me to death. Then last night we went to find a referral and the other missionaries showed up and we all stood there awkwardly and confused not knowing whose house we were both at. Then a drunken man came up to me and started complimenting my looks and I had to get my companion to help me and then he wanted to be taught, but he kept talking about how beautiful we were.

Oh man that's the mission life right there!

 

With love - upward and onward,

Hermana Clark 

JUMBO June!

It's JUMBO June!

 This week was one of the hardest yet best weeks of my entire life. As I went through trials and tribulations I truly began to learn to turn our will to the Lord's will and trust in His plan for us. I am so thankful for all the prayers and blessings I received this week and I am a walking miracle. (Not in a prideful way of course!)

 So the start of the week I got a phone call from a RM our served at the Visitor's Center as well who told me she lives with my friend! She told me that my friend needed to come in and talk with me about something important and I said, okay and told her when I would be there. I waited and waited and waited and finally I saw my friend. We appropriately had a seat and he informed me that his dad had died. I was crushed. His dad was one of the most loving and amazing men i've ever had the chance to meet. I had an even more special second visit last night (Sunday night) at the Visitor's Center with his mom and little sister. I felt the spirit so strong and as we walked through God's Plan and talked about the binding power of the covenants we make with God, there was so much comfort in the fact that Families are Forever. I have so much love for this family and felt so blessed to have been able to be part of this sensitive time in their lives. I have learned so much from their strength and faith in the gospel and the comfort they have received from the truthfulness of this gospel.
  I also had confidence this week! I am learning so much about how to have confidence while here. Confidence is hard sometimes... especially when you are new, don't know a language, etc. excuses right? No. Confidence comes from being obedient and having the spirit with you. I am so happy here and doing so amazing. I have an amazing training whom is the Big Cahuna at the Visitor's Center and she is teaching me how to be Dignified. I have this problem with talking about zombies, bacon and batman sometimes.. and saying the word "guys"... that have a a problem with is now a Had a problem with~the amazing thing is that I want to be dignified for my Savior not my trainer. I am a witness of Christ. (so much growth!)

 Also, Transfer news came this week. It was big news because it would decipher who was going to the Scottsdale mission and who was staying in Mesa..my mission president expressed to my trainer that I was a full field sister and I would not being staying in the Visitor's Center and that she was not going to finish training me or to "not count on it", "it's not happening". So transfer news came Saturday night at 10:22pm and guess what,
I AM STAYING AT THE VISITOR'S CENTER and with my trainer! The Lord loves me! I feel so blessed. Unbelievably blessed. 

 You would all be proud to hear that I ALSO had a 20 minute conversation in spanish with a dinner appointment about potatoes. Specifically about the Potato Museum. The museum that I haven't entered since the 1900's! She laughed and laughed and laughed about popas though and my trainer was so unbelievably proud and I was too. My spanish is progressing so much and I had about 7 people compliment it. So I can do it!!!

 

I love you all! Thank you for the love and support so much! Upward and Onward!

Hermana Clark 

In the Feild!!!!!!!

Hola mi familia y amigos!!

 I made it to Mesa FINALLY! I feel so blessed and excited to be here. I'm in love with Arizona. I was born to live here. It's my bread and butter. Every morning I wake up to sunshine, palm trees, and the opportunity to preach the gospel, what could be better?? I flew out of Idaho Falls on Tuesday and then had a 4 hour layover in Salt Lake City, which is a really long time.. and I was sitting there alone just listening to music and a man came and sat down and I felt SO impressed to take my headphones off immediately. So I did obviously and I had my name tag on my coat and my shirt. Being in Salt Lake I just kinda assumed everyone knew I was a mission for the LDS church but this man across from me was staring at me and then said, "You must be extra special since you have two name tags." So I naively thought, Oh he's making a mormon joke and just kinda awkwardly laughed. Then I told me I had two in case my other one got covered by my shirt and that it was my missionary name tag, then the most amazing thing happened, he said, "Oh what church are you from?" Who says that?  That's the most perfect conversation starter that missionaries dream of. Well to say the least we ended up talking for TWO HOURS. He is awesome and I felt so comforted. I'm an incredibly awkward person and at the end of the conversation he said, "Well you are very mature and this was very refreshing conversation, you are a great representative of your church." How kind is that? He was an angel sent from heaven to comfort me while I was at the airport kind of freaking out. Then it gets even better. I got on the airplane and as I was walking past him he gave me his card and said, "If my wife and I can do anything for you, you just let us know!" Pretty awesome!
I got to Mesa at about 9pm and President Ellsworth came and picked me up with 2 of his kids and his wife, and then I stayed the night with Sister Javed (she's from Pakistan and was an amzing missionary) at the Nielsen's (I love them!) then I went and got to go to the meeting with all the new missionaries and met my Two companions. We're in a crazy awesome trio. Sister Newton and Mearns are awesome! Newton goes home after this transfer which is super sad but Mearns and I will have each other until the end :)
I just love Mesa. Everything about it. The sun, heat, palm trees, people, everyyything. Spanish is difficult but we teach a lot of english. We get to go to the Mesa temple Visitor's Center everyday and I couldn't ask from more in life :) We had our first baptism on Saturday for Eduardo, he's 9 and such a spiritual giant. He made us each a paper rose and said, you're giving me a gift to be baptized so I made you a gift. <insert an awwwww>

I love that kiddo. So much. His baptism was so spiritual and amazing. It hasn't really hit me that i'm a missionary, but that night it really showed me that that's what it's all about. Bringing others unto Christ.
Eduardo's whole life changed Saturday and it felt amazing to be part of that process.

The gospel is true and brings the most amazing happiness. I love being a representative of Christ and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to preach it to the whole world (well the world in Arizona until after my mission:)
I love you all!

Upward and Onward 

Hermana Clark 

Update :)

Hola everyone!

 Well in case you've seen my wobblin' around Blackfoot, I am home. BUT I am only home for about two weeks. Being me, I let myself get dehydrated and then had a fall and hit my head really hard and have a major concussion that is going to take a few weeks to heal from. The MTC isn't really a place for healing, and so i'm home to sleep, A Lot. All is well though and i'll hopefully be back ASAP!
 In the meantime while i'm laying in bed feeling completely unproductive, I thought i'd share some pictures of my amazing district that became mi familia :)

 this is the lovely curling iron burn I received from trying to iron my shirt..on...with a curling iron

Saturday morning conference! Hermana White on the far left was my companion and then me, Hermana Andreason (who also has a concussion) and Hermana Snow

 Elder Sessions Hermana White (my companion) and me. Don't mind my sickly appearance, I went to the ER right after this jajaja

                       My amazing district. Hardest thing in the world to say goodbye to them!

Elder Afu told me I looked like a cancer patient. This was the heart monitor I was stuck wearing for two days

The infamous, "lets point to where we're going" picture. Elder Sessions, Hermana White, and I are pointing at Mesa and then everyone else is going to Argentina! I secretly hope they don't quite have their visas yet when I get back so I can see them! 

4th week already?!?!?!

Hola!

Holy Batman it's week 4 already! I leave the 23rd and am soooo excited! Easter was amazing! We had the Presiding Bishop come, Elder Causse, and then SHERI DEW! She´s now my hero. She is amazing. The days are so long here but the weeks fly by. There just isn´t enough time to do everything. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary though. I´m finally getting into the groove of missionary work and this is by FAR the BEST decision I have ever made. I have grown and learned so much already and am truly developing a deep appreciation for the gospel, The Book of Mormon, and my Savior. The Atonement can lift us all up and make us whole. Any weakness you may have can be made into a strength through the Atonement. What an amazing and loving gift from our Savior, Jesus Christ.
My spanish is getting a little better. Last week was very frustrating and I felt like I was plateauing, and I was really struggling. I has to humble myself and really pour my heart out to the Lord for strength and this week has been amazing.
I love love love love being a missionary and feel so blessed to be part of the work rolling forward :) I love you all and hope all is well!

Upward and Onward, Con Amor

Hermana Clark

1st letter!!!!

hola mi familia y amigos!

FIRST OFF HAPPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHANDLER, HAPPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHANNNNNDLER, HAPPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CHANDLER. HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY BIG BOY! (insert singing)

 I can't believe I'm already on week three at the MTC! Ahhh so exciting. I've never been so busy in my entire life. we study, study, and study some more. spanish is coming along, slowly but it's coming. So I was thinking about what to talk about and I decided that the number 4 has a big role in my stay here at the MTC so far. I taught our first investigator Juanna 4 times..in spanish... I eat 4 oranges a day which sounds really healthy but I also eat 4 cookies a day. The darn chocolate chip cookies here at my kryptonite! NO BUENO. No wonder we're all going to gain 40 lbs by the time we leave. I have been hit in the head/face 4 times by volleyballs in the last week, I have to change my clothes 4 times a day. Not by choice. We joke that half the day we're changing out clothes. I have 4 people in my room. We'll have two more join us next week week though. The MTC is a very spiritual and special place and I love more things about it everyday. I can't believe my stay here is halfway over! YAY! It snowed this week..so i'm basically freezing since I only brought warm clothes since i'm going to Arizona where it's ALREADY 96 degrees!!!! WOOO!! CAN'T WAIT.
We talk a lot about how to be effective teachers and our purpose. It made me think a lot about why i'm here. I can 100% say that I am here to grow and and be converted to the Lord. To do His Will. I'm here on His time. Doing His work. What a truly special blessing. I'm also here to invite others to come unto to Christ. Help them receive the blessings of the Atonement and be baptized. The gospel blesses everyone's lives and EVERYONE has a universal need for Christ. Let's just hope i'll be able to share that message in spanish in three weeks!
Thank you all for the letters and prayers! I can feel them help me each and every day! I love you all and miss you like crazy!

UPWARD AND n 
ONWARD- love, HMA Clark :) :) xoxo

The Countdown is ON! 20 Days!

 The days are quickly (yet slowly at times) DIMINISHING! I will be entering the MTC in 20 DAYS and will be set apart a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ in 18 DAYS!
 I wish I could say the past few weeks have been full of Just smiles and excitement but that would only be half true. I've never experienced so many different feelings. Feelings of Happiness*Stress*Sadness*Excitement*and pretty much every other feeling under the sun :) My family would completely attest to that.
Each week I have experienced a weird circumstance and road bump. My body, mind, and spirit test me continually and most days I have to truly work on thwarting off Satan and just staying positive. I was feeling pretty discouraged and felt completely inadequate when I finally got down on my knees and Pleaded with the Lord to help me be strong and patient. I know the Lord is aware of me and I know Satan does not want me to go, at all. Sometimes I forget how well Satan knows me and he loves testing us. As difficult as it is to ignore him, the Lord is always there to help and strengthen us.
I've been so grateful for prayer and the Atonement of Christ and the strength they both give me. They're key to eternal happiness and I can't wait to share my testimony and experiences with the people of Arizona!!!! I know these experiences are for my own good (D&C 122:7) and I know i'm never given anything I can't handle. As intimidating as it is to be an ambassador of Christ I am willing to go and do as the Lord commands!!!!!!! (1 Nephi 3:7) With my whole heart!!!
  I guess my message of the day is: Life is short, so find what you believe and LIVE IT! Also Stay positive and find something each day to be grateful  for. 

The Decision

  I decided to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about two years ago. I  knew that waiting for my 21st birthday would be a challenge in itself, but here I am 21, and headed off to the Arizona Mesa Mission! I am so excited to start this journey. Although, Getting here was an ordeal in itself. 

 I have learned so much through this mission experience and I haven't even left cold ol' Idaho yet. I have learned to rely on the spirit {the still small voice} to guide and help me. I have also learned that prayer and faith get me thru every day life and especially the hardest experiences I have had.

I'd like to share a more personal experience that may help others but is the biggest reason I will be serving a mission. About 7 months ago, I was engaged to be married. I was excited to get married and was looking forward to being both a wife and mom. I was set on going on a mission but didn't know what decision would be best. Every day going on a mission was in the back of my mind, especially since I knew I wouldn't be the kind of wife and mom my husband and kids deserve without going. 

About a month into my engagement I was at a baptism. I was sitting next to my dad and he looked over to me and said, "Lex, you're going to go on a mission." I rolled my eyes, glanced over to him, and pointed to the ring on my finger and disagreed. Deep down though I was full of confusion and uncertainty about my future. Ironically, there were three beautiful sister missionaries that were conducting the baptism for my sweet cousin. As the sister's spoke, I began to feel the spirit. The more I tried to ignore it, the more I felt the overwhelming power of the Spirit touch my heart. When the sisters were done speaking they all sang a song together. I immediately began to start to cry. Not out of sadness of course, I just knew that moment that I had to go on a mission. I wasn't exactly in a place to just go on a mission since I was currently planning a wedding but knew I couldn't ignore the prompting. I went home and knew I had to pray. I've never prayed so hard and sincerely in my life. I didn't know what to do. As soon as I opened my heart and mind the answer was clear as crystal. 
                       "Give the ring back  and everything with work out." 

The next day, I gave the ring back, not knowing if it would still work out, or if I was going to be able to go on a mission. I knew that I had to listen to the spirit and act on that prompting. The was by far the most difficult decision i've ever made. I know that the Lord knows exactly how each of us feel though and is completely aware of our lives, decisions, desires, and questions. My engagement didn't end up working out, because it wasn't right for either of us. Heavenly Father has a plan for me and I know that without a doubt and a mission is part of that plan. 

I started my mission papers in July. Exactly 120 days before my 21st birthday. Obviously, they decided to change the age limit a few months later. It took me until Halloween to finish my papers, and then I waited 6 1/2 weeks for my mission call. THE LONGEST 61/2 WEEKS OF MY LIFE. I got it the day after Thanksgiving after finding out it was delivered to my neighbor's mailbox instead of mine. {the Lord really wants me to learn Patience}

To my relief I was called to the Arizona Mesa Mission :) Relieved mostly because I was so scared that I was going to be called somewhere cold. I feel so blessed and my call was  another testament of the Lord being 100% aware of me. I am leaving in just 51 short days, on March 13th, 2013. I will be heading to the MTC to learn spanish and improve my testimony and my ability to preach the gospel. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and can't wait to go to the people of Arizona and share my testimony with them and share the happiness I feel living this true gospel. 

Life has a lot of storms but with the Lord's help we can get thru any storm or hurricane that may get in our way with patience and faith in the Lord, our Redeemer and Savior. 

I'm a Mormon, check it out!

Hi I'm Lexi Clark | happiness, sister missionary, Batman, young adult, college, Mormon.