August 17,2015

Goodness gracious, this week went by way too fast!! And again, I don't have any time to email, so it may be a little bit short again... But who knows, I type a lot..

But, a lot of y'all asked how the hike went last week with Maddie and Gabby! And let me just say, it was awesome! I'm super out of shape, but it was way fun. There were about 6 of us, and once we got to the top of the mountain we took pictures and then read from the Book of Mormon. 

   There is something special about nature, and something special about being at the top of a mountain. And being able to read from the scriptures in both? Pretty great! I just love tender mercies like that where things are just good and spiritual :) #Ilovebeingamissionary

As for this week, it was full of meetings! Seriously, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, we were in meetings all day, then Saturday we were on exchanges. It was crazy! But I learned a lot this week! Thank goodness for study journals though because otherwise I wouldn't be able to remember it. 

   I feel like I don't even know what to say because I learned so many things, but something that really stood out to me was in our Tuesday meeting. I learned about faith and fear, and fear is a normal thing, everyone has it, everyone goes through it, but we have been given ways to combat that fear and turn it into faith. 

   One of the ways that was suggested was to replace those fears with happy thoughts, or thankful thoughts, because when you put those happy thoughts into you mind, there will be no room for negativity.  

    In our Wednesday meeting we actually got to drive up the hill to the desert! It was a dream come true! :) I got to see a Joshua tree one more time before I go home, I took plenty of pictures of the dirt that I've missed so much! Everyone around me was super confused as to why I was so happy to see dirt, and honestly I'm not sure, but I really love it, it was like I was home again.. Well mission home. I don't go home home for another 3 weeks! ;) But anyways! It was kinda cool, in our meeting Sister Stagg and I demonstrated a fun way of talking with someone about the Book of Mormon, it was in front of all the missionaries serving in Rancho, and Victorville, I'm pretty sure I could talk in front of a ton of people now and wouldn't freak out. Its actually a lot of fun. 

   But I learned at the meeting more about finding the prepared, and if I'm going to invite others to come unto Christ, I have to come unto Christ in the process. 

Which leads me to my next part of my email!! 

    I am so thankful for Christ, I'm thankful for his patience, and for his love. I'm thankful to have him as my friend. I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father and I know that he loves me, and so many others. I know that he knows whats best for me and for so many others. 

    One of the biggest things I've been able to learn on my mission is just being able to build a strong relationship with Christ, obviously it can still be strengthened, and grow, but as for right now, I know that my testimony of Christ has been strengthened in so many ways! I know that he lives. I think I've said that in everyone of my emails for the past 17, almost 18 months, and why do I say that? Because I know its true! I know that it is, and I know that as I share that, my testimony of it will be even more strengthened. Which is something I strive for everyday. Even when I'm not perfect, I know that I can become better, and that's because of Jesus Christ, and because he lives.

For the funny moment of the week it was basically just kinda a crazy/creepy/weird/awkward/I don't know what to say kinda experience, but I figured it was funny enough I would write about it! So, once upon a time, we were leaving an appointment with a less active, and we were walking to our car and the house we were at is inside a gated community, and is super fancy, and next to the sidewalk are some bushes... Well, as we were walking to our car that was parked in front of the house I see this 20 something year old guy just laying in the bushes with his eyes WIDE open. I legit thought it was a dead body for a second, then I saw his eyes move. They kept going back between me and Sister Stagg, which was kinda creepy, so we got in the car and felt like we should call the family and tell them that there was a guy laying in the bushes in their front yard.. Well, as we do so, we hear some yelling in the phone and find out that it was the daughters ex-boyfriend. Later that night we get a phone call saying that this guy is on parole, and found his way here from LA, and was shooting heroin in their front yard. Needless to say, this guy is now in jail. 

   You meet the craziest people on  your mission! :)

Anyways, life is great! I'm thankful for all the miracles that are around me everyday. I know that they are everywhere, there have been so many times this week that I just felt the love of my Heavenly Father. Going home isn't the most fun thing to do when you love something so much. But I still have three weeks! So its gonna be good!! :)

Love y'all!!! Thanks for being the best people ever! I hope y'all have a great week!

Love,

Sister Bond

August 10,2015

Hey there everyone! I don't have any time today, but goodness gracious this week was crazy!! But we do have a super cool miracle!!! 

   So you know Maddie? Our investigator that's getting baptized on the 22nd? Well, she has a best friend named Gabby that has been coming to church for years but has never gotten baptized. Well.. Maddie being the awesome person that she is invited Gabby to be baptized, and Gabby said she would pray about it.. Well, next thing we know, we get a text from Maddie saying that we hit the missionary jack pot and that they will BOTH be getting baptized on August 22nd!!!!!!! MIRACLE!!!!!!!! How often does it happen that your INVESTIGATOR invites their friend to be baptized? Let alone they say YES!?!? It was just a testimony builder to me that this is The Lords work, and that as we have faith in him, and trust in him, miracles will come, and that things will always work out.
 

As for the rest of the week, not a whole lot happened, we went on some exchanges, both times were crazy days. But I learned from one sister that you can be thankful no matter what circumstance you're in, and the second sister how important it is to trust in the spirit as you go about your day.

We also had MLC (missionary leadership council) this week! It was my last one, so they had me stand up and share my testimony, as I shared my testimony I didn't cry.. But as soon as I sat down the tears began to fall.. Rapidly. It looked like a waterfall, but I guess it was a good thing because California is in a drought and they need more water. 

   Anyways! MLC was all about finding, and talking with people. I learned that I'm put into an area for a reason, and I'm here to talk to everyone here about the gospel, because if I don't do it, what missionary will? 

   I'm so thankful to be a missionary, and to be out here to teach something I hold so dear to my heart. I know that this is the Lords work, and that we are not alone in assisting him in this great work. 

    I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each of us, that no matter how dark times may seem, no matter what kinda drought we may seem to be in, I know that light will come. I know that we wont have to be in a drought, because our spirits can be full of the living water. 

    I know that The Lord can use us as instruments in his hands, I learned that with Maddie and Gabby this week. We literally didn't do anything but act with faith, and next thing we know, our investigator is inviting her friend to be baptized! There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon that words this so perfectly it says "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will notboast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."   And I know that this is true. That as we trust in God, trust in his strength we can do all things.

As for the funny moment of the week, we were at our ward mission leaders house, and we were talking about how I'm planning on going to BYU-I in a year, and he looked at me and goes "Oh? BYU-I? That's where the field is white already to harvest.. And I'm not talking about potatoes if you know what I mean!" I was dying. I love funny moments like that.

Anyways, sorry this letters kinda short. But hopefully next week I'll have more time! Today we're going on a hike with Maddie and Gabby and are going to have a lesson on top of a Mountain. #we'recool #I'mexcited #madgabbaptism

Love y'all!!! Have a great week!!!!

Love,

Sister Bond

August 3, 2015

Well y'all, this week was simply crazy, and flew right by! Why must time go by so fast? But, things are going good! Its great being with Sister Stagg again, and being able to go out and work so hard! I love missionary work, its the greatest! As for this week, we were able to meet a lot of people, and start teaching a lot more people, a lot of the people we're working with aren't active in church, but being able to see people progress and grow in their faith in Christ is simply beautiful.

Tuesday we had a miracle though! So you know our investigator Maddie? The one that wants to finish reading the Book of Mormon before she gets baptized? Well, she set a date for baptism!!!! Shes going to get baptized on August 22nd!! Which means I'll still be here to see it happen!! MIRACLE!!! Shes making tons of progress in the Book of Mormon, so I know that she can make it! When we were setting a date with her, she got out her planner and wrote down in blue pen her "mormon drowning" haha! I just love her! But really, Heavenly Father blesses us so stinking much! I just love him.

Thursday was crazy busy! We met so many people that day! But it was cool, there is a family in the area that's not super active, and haven't really showed much interest in having missionaries over before, and we met with them, and then ran into them later in the week and the mom told us that her daughter wants us to come over for dinner!!! Miracle! I think yes!!

Friday was also a little bit crazy, mostly just because we were biking and had a lot of appointments that we needed to get to. That night we had a lesson with Marleen, who is one of those people that I just love! She just loves everyone and wants everyone to feel loved. In our lesson we planned on teaching her one thing, but as soon as we got to her apartment we knew that we couldn't teach her the lesson that we planned. In stead we were led by the spirit to something totally different! But it was one that we all walked away feeling Gods love for us. We mostly just taught about how God is real, and how he hears our prayers, and how much he loves us. But it was a good experience because my entire mission I had a goal to be able to know my scriptures, and to know where to turn to if someone expresses some sort of concern, and I know I'm not perfect at it, but the spirit was guiding me to all sorts of scriptures! I know I can still improve, and I can still work at it, but it was one of those tender mercies when Heavenly Father allows us to see a little bit of progress in ourselves.

Really, this week was so crazy, and I don't even know what to say! I have my planner, but writing about missionary work just doesn't do it justice. I'm so thankful for the miracles that I see everyday, and for the joy that I feel as I do the Lords work. I know I'm not perfect, in fact I know that I'm FAR from it, but there is nothing greater than seeing Heavenly Father taking your imperfections, and turning them into something he can work with. Its like play dough in a way, by itself it looks like a blob of whatever you want to call it, but as you let the sculpture mold, and form whatever he wants to make, it turns into a beautiful sculpture. It may take time, it may take bits and peaces off of you to mold it into something better, but it always turns out to be something beautiful. 

   Yes, I did just compare myself to play dough, but I know that as we trust in God, and trust in what hes doing, he will be able to mold us and form us into the perfect people that we can become. I know that we can be instruments in Gods hands, and that as we do so we can come closer to him, and we can feel joy! 

   This morning I was studying Joy, and I learned a few things, so I've always seen joy as something eternal, opposed to happiness where I see that as being momentarily,  but today I learned that the things that bring us joy, are eternal principals, the things that bring me joy in this life are things like the gospel of Jesus Christ, my family, education, things like that, and they never have to end, because joy never ends. We will always have Christ, we can have our family for eternity, and we can always continue to learn and grow.  

   I may be rambling, and I'm not sure if I make much sense. But if you take anything away from this long message, I want you to know that Jesus Christ brings me joy. Sharing the gospel brings me joy, and knowing who I am brings me joy. I know that Christ lives, and I know that he loves us and that he is constantly reaching out his hand to help us through our fears and shortcomings. I love Christ and I know he is my friend.

As for the funny moment of the week, we were at church yesterday, and we were in testimony meeting (like it sounds, where members of the congregation get to stand at the podium and bear testimony of Christ) and the meeting went way over, and we're sitting there waiting for the last person on the stand to walk up and share her testimony when the guy that was conducting the meeting stands up to close it, he didn't realize that there was one more person.. So he stands up and starts talking, when all the sudden the girl we were sitting with jumps up and yells "WAIT! What about Natalie!!!!!" In the middle of the chapel. So he sits down and Natalie shared a really good testimony. Maybe it was a you had to be there moment, but goodness gracious, I was laughing super hard.

Well y'all, I love you!!! Thanks for all you do for me, and for all the love and support y'all send me! 

Y'all are the best!!

Love,

Sister Bond

July 27, 2015

Well y'all, this week is full of exciting news! I don't even know where to start, so I'll start with the transfer news! Sister Vainuku went home, she finished her 18 months and is now enjoying time with her family! I stayed in the area, but my new companion isn't so new! Its Sister Stagg again!! We were companions 6 months ago, and is one of my best friends from the mission, so needless to say, I'm pretty excited to be her companion again! :D 

    With stayin in the area, we still cover the young single adult ward, and a family ward, but they took the elders out of one of the wards, so now we cover one ward by ourselves, and the other one with elders, so its going to be interesting to see how things play out this transfer, but I can tell you already, that this is going to be super crazy!! But, its my last one, so its expected. 

  But really, I'm so excited to be with Sister Stagg again!

For some service this week we were able to help out with the special Olympics!! They're hosting it in LA, but they were doing some small field games at one of the local church buildings. So we were able to take the groups from station to station and help them them and guide them to where they needed to be, so Sister Vainuku and I were in charge of a group from Africa, and it was so much fun! They were so positive, and so cheerful! It was the best. It was also fun, they were playing music, and they played the cupid shuffle, and we were able to teach the group we were helping how to do it. It was the first time I've actually danced or called out a dance since I've been on my mission, which was kinda weird, but really fun.  Anyways, it was some of the best service I've done on my mission, it was also nice because there were a lot of people there from my first area, so I was able to say hello to some of my favorite people! It was a great day.

We're still teaching Maddie! Shes moving along in the Book of Mormon, she said she wants to finish it before school starts back up again, which means that she would finish before I go home if she finishes. So I have faith that all will work out! You wanna hear a funny story about her though? So this describes her personality, and she gave me permission to tell you this! So she has a moss ball- yes, a ball of moss.. And she keeps it as a pet and has named it Thomas S. Moss-son! Shes not even baptized and shes naming things after the prophet. It made me laugh super hard when she told me that.  I just love her.

We also had a lesson at coldstone this week! So I had colstone for the first time in 17 months! It was a beautiful day. The lesson was also really good, it was with a less active in the YSA ward, we taught it outside with our ice cream, which I love outdoor lessons, they're my favorite, something about being outside just brings the spirit.

Really that's most of the week, so we're working super hard. I'm excited for this next transfer. 

    With there only being 6 weeks left of my mission, I want y'all to know how much I love missionary work, and how thankful I am to be a missionary. I know that this is the Lords work, and that as we have faith in him, and trust in him, we will be enabled and will be able to grow. 

I've adopted a scripture for my last transfer from the Book of Mormon which basically says "Ye must press forward with a steadfast faith in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men" and the reason why I've adopted that scripture is because I know that with Christ miracles are possible, I know that having faith and hope in him brings brightness into our lives. I know that we must press forward with Christ, when we take steps to follow Christ they may be hard, they may be challenging, but as we press forward, even when, and especially when its hard, we will have brightness in our life. 

    I know that Christ is with us always, and I know that he loves us. I know that this is the work of the Lord, and nothing will stop this work from moving forth.

As for the funny moment of the week, I don't remember the really funny things, so how about I just tell you an awkward experience? So we were teaching people how to dance at the special Olympics right? Well, next thing I know, they're playing a Hawaiian type song, and a guy just put my hand in the guy next to his and asked me to dance with him. So, I ended up dancing with him because I would've felt rude if I said no.. Maybe it was bad, I'm  not sure, we were pretty far apart but it was still super duper awkward. I'm going to be super awkward when I get home. I hope y'all know that!

And on that awkward note, I love y'all!!! Thank you for all the love and support y'all send me. Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Bond

July 20, 2015

Hey there everyone!!! Another week has come and gone, things are pretty much the same, always crazy busy, but this week it did end up raining! Which was very refreshing, its also pretty funny watching Californians drive in the rain. But enough of that! This week includes:

Exchanges, one of the sisters is from New Caledonia, I'm not sure of exactly how to spell it, but its and Island just about Australia, and they speak french! Really shes just super awesome and we had a great day of biking all over Rancho! The other exchange was with one of the Spanish sisters, but we stayed in our area, apparently she knows one of the sisters that served back home, so it was one of those small world moments. It was also a fun day of going out and doing missionary work! :) Really, missions are just the best, I'm super thankful for mine and all that it continues to teach me everyday. 

We were able to teach Maddie some more this week! It was also her birthday, so we heart attacked her door, and I must say, it looked great, all sorts of neon colored paper all over someones door always wishes people a happy birthday! ;) She is still progressing really well, she is the one who wants to finish the Book of Mormon before she gets baptized, and shes getting close to being halfway there, so its really exciting being able to see her excited about the gospel.

We weren't able to see Tia or Samilya,  they're the ones that are moving to Georgia.. They were busy this week, but said that they'll hopefully meet with us this week. My fingers are crossed and I'm hoping all works out!! I have faith that it will!!

It was also our last week of having Sister Crandall with us, she was our two week missionary, we dropped her off yesterday and I miss her already! She was just a joy to have around. I'm gonna miss her!

Really the rest of the week was pretty usual, lots of appointments, tracting, crazy drivers, almost getting hit by a car while biking- don't worry, I was perfectly safe. And simply seeing Heavenly Father placing people in our path to talk to, and people being willing to learn more! When we were tracting we found two young single adult age people that said we could go back and see them, and one guy that would go to the family ward, all within the same day, so it was just a day full of tender mercies. I'm thankful for my Heavenly Fathers hand in all things.

Y'all, I want to testify to each of you that I know that my Heavenly Father lives and that he knows us personally, he knows what we feel, he knows what we need. Without going into detail, I had an experience this week where I felt my Heavenly Fathers love so strongly, that there is no doubt in my mind that he knows me, and knows how to help his children. 

   I came across this scripture in my studies this week,  its John 12:35-36 and it says: 

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.  

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.   Christ gives us light, and lights up our world, and life, and as we walk in his light, we will have a clear direction of where we want to go, like it says in that scripture that when we walk in darkness we don't know where we're going, and if we don't know where we're going, it doesn't matter how to get there. But as we walk in the light of Christ, we will have peace, comfort, solace, and more blessings then we can comprehend. As we stay near Christ, and reach out for his help, we will be able to grab his hand, and we will be able to withstand the power of the darkness.  I know that Christ is with us, helping us stand, and as we stand in his light, we will walk in the light of his love and we will receive strength and power.

Well y'all, as for the funny moment of the week was right before we came to email, so once upon a time we were at target buying our groceries and this man that was very high came up to talk to us, which you know, being missionaries we talk with everyone!So next thing I know hes hugging my companion and simply walks away.  I never know what to do when men just hug us, thankfully he didn't hug me, but its always an awkward situation. Haha!

Well y'all!!! I love y'all, thanks for all the support and everything y'all do for me. I'm thankful for your example and for all the emails.

Love y'all!!!Love,  Sister Bond

July 13, 2015

Goodness gracious this week was crazy! Three exchanges, one two weeker, and just the regular day to day life of being a missionary. Things are super busy. 

   I'm pretty sure this week was just one long day with a few naps when the sun went down. 

But I saw miracles and learned a few things this week! 

So for starters, do you remember Tia? Our investigator from Georgia? Well, we haven't been able to see her lately because she was super sick, shes not scheduled for baptism anymore, but we were able to see her and guess what! We're going to start teaching her sister as well! Her name is Samilya (Sa-mill-yuh) when we we met them, we were on exchanges, and the sister I was with is already a super hilarious sister, and Tia and Samilya are the funniest people ever, so all of the people combined made up to be one of the funniest lessons I've ever taught. Well, let me change that, before the lesson it was the funniest visit ever, then when we taught the lesson it was back to being serious, and the spirit was super strong. What I'm getting at was that it was a great miracle and I'm excited to teach them!! :)

As for the rest of the week, we had our usual appointments, nothing too out of the ordinary, I think we're getting pretty good at teaching with three people, we all get along super well so we're able to communicate pretty well. 

    Really this week was chaotic, but I don't know how to explain it without it just sounding like a normal week, or having it make sense.

So I'll just get to the spiritual part of my email!! How does that sound? 

   Yesterday in church, someone gave a talk, on doubt and faith, which made me just think about how great it is to have faith, and to have hope, and the things that give me the most hope is Jesus Christ, and knowing that I can improve and grow. And knowing that because of him everything will be made right, that we may not know everything, but we know enough, one of my favorite quotes  says "Doubt your doubt before you doubt your faith" by President Uchtdorf, because fear and doubt are opposite of one another,  when you have faith, your fears will be dispelled, its like putting a candle in a dark room, the light that the faith brings into our lives with conquer the darkness around us, and I know that having faith my be hard sometimes, but when we have it, miracles occur, and things happen. I know that when we have faith we can overcome the obstacles of our everyday struggles,  and I know that when we have faith in Jesus Christ, we truly can overcome our fears. I know that he knows how we feel, that he knows our fears, our weaknesses, our shortcomings, all of that, and if we but believe in him, and trust in him, we will see miracles. I don't know if this made much sense, but if you get anything out of this, I want each of y'all to know that I have faith in Jesus Christ, its not perfect, it may be simple, but I believe in him, I trust him, and I love him.

As for the funny moment of the week,  so once upon a time missionaries set goals everyday. All day everyday. And every six months we have a zone baptismal goal. Well, our last six months we had the baptismal goal of 40 baptisms. We had 12, well, we were going to set a new goal because its the start of a new six months, and so in order to set a reachable goal we all came with a number for our area in what we could do, then we were going to add up the number. 

   Well, we were all talking about how excited we were to reach a new goal, and then we had a great lesson on goals and having faith, and then we added up all the numbers and its still at 40! So the funny part was just the fact that its the exact same goal that we had for the past  six months. But I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and that when we have faith, we can see miracles happen!!!

I love y'all!!! Have a great week!!!!

~Sister Bond

July 6, 2015

Hey there everyone! Another week has flown right by. But things are still going great here in Rancho Cucuamonga! :)

We found out the other day that we're going to have a two week missionary with us, which I'll explain what that means! So the youth in the mission boundaries can go out with the missionaries for two weeks, they get to live with us, and are set apart to be missionaries for two weeks, they get to live the same standards as us, and get to be with us 24/7, is exactly the same as being a regular full time missionary. So for the next two weeks we're going to be in a trio! I'm not sure how this all is going to work seeing how we still have the same responsibilities of being an STL, and covering two areas and what not.. But I'm way excited! The sisters name is Sister Crandall, and shes actually from Hesperia! She went to church in the same building that I went to when I was there, so we know a lot of the same people. I'm excited for this experience, I know that I have to rely on the Lord for help, but that's the best kinda help we can get.

As for this week, things are pretty similar to last week, Most of our investigators were sick, but we were able to still see Maddie! And goodness gracious, every time I see her I just get so excited. Shes the best. Shes been reading from the Book of Mormon daily and is reading super fast!

We were also able to do service this week and help our ward mission leader move, it was really good to be able to serve him and his family in building a better relationship with them.

We also went on exchanges this week, I went to another area here in Rancho, and I went with a Sister that I served with in Hesperia, and goodness gracious, its amazing being able to see how much someone grows in just a couple of transfers, our day was mostly filled with knocking doors, but we were able to have some good one on one time and being able to talk with some great people.

As for the 4th, we were able to help out with a 5K! We didn't get to run it, but we were able to great people, after the 5K we were able to serve everyone at a pancake breakfast. So basically people went running, then ate all that they burned off. But, it was still great! All the missionaries in Rancho were there, so it was great seeing everyone serving people in the community.

We also had one of my favorite meetings as a missionary! Yup! MLC!! I seriously just love MLC. It was on chapter 8 of peach my gospel, so using time wisely, setting goals, and accountability. 

   And I learned that setting goals is a 24/7 thing to help us grow. And that they not only help us to stretch, but help us to have direction, which direction is key because if you don't know where you're going, you can take any way to get there. 

  When they were teaching about accountability I was thinking about agency, or the ability to choose. Which we know that agency is one of the greatest gifts Heavenly Father has given us, and its an eternal principal, and when they were teaching, I was thinking about missionaries, and how missionaries follow-up on everything, or at least we're supposed to. And I was thinking about how accountability is a way for Heavenly Father to follow-up on how we used our agency. 

   When we make choices and decisions, there is a consequence to everything we do, good or bad, there is a consequence, and each of us are going to be held accountable before God on what we did in this life.  

    But then I've been thinking a lot more about agency the past few days, and how thankful that I am that Heavenly Father created a plan, and from the beginning hes let us make our own choices. That he never forces us. But he does have a plan, in which he invites us to follow, he is always inviting us to come unto him, and to come unto Christ. And I know that the plan that he has created for us is a plan of happiness, and it brings us joy. That is one of the purposes of life, is to have joy! And as we follow Christ, I know that we can have joy.  Which, y'all know me, joy is one of my favorite things, I can't imagine my life without joy, and I can promise you that the things that have brought me the most joy in my life is knowing that My Heavenly Father lives, knowing that he loves me. Knowing that Christ lives, that he died for me, and that he lived for me, and that I can grow and become better. And knowing that because of Christ, my family can be together forever. This is the plan that Heavenly Father has given us, and the plan that I go out and share, and I know that it is a plan of joy, which is eternal happiness.

As for the funny moment of the week, it actually happened this morning. 

So on Mondays we go over to another companionship's apartment to do our laundry, so I throw all of my stuff into my laundry hamper and take it there, well, I threw in a load and went to go do my studies.. Well, I sat down and grabbed my scriptures and then I realized that I didn't have my study journal.. Yup y'all know where this is going.. I looked around and couldn't find it, and then I had the thought come to mind to check the washer! And sure enough, my study journal was sitting perfectly in the washer with the water beginning to fill it up. Thankfully it was fine and nothing happened to it, but I swear, sometimes my blond roots come in and I just throw my study journal into the washer! Haha, good times! :)

Well y'all, I love y'all!!! Thank you for all the love and support! 

Have a great week!!! 

Love,

Sister Bond

June 29, 2015

Hey there family!! I hope y'all had a great week, things are getting nice and hot in Cali! And I'm getting more and more red everyday! Sometimes I think its a tan, but then when I look closely, I realize that my skin is just red. Haha, its pretty great!

Not a whole lot of super exciting things happened this week, we did go on exchanges though! Really, every time I go on exchanges I just realize just how mindful Heavenly Father is of each of us, and in each of our lives. That there are people all over the world, different circumstances and Heavenly Father is aware of each and everyone of us, and providing miracles for each of us. 

    I learned while on exchanges that Heavenly Father sees us for who we can become, he wants us to grow, so he sees us as who we can become. Where as normal people, we tend to only see the little things, or we see who we were, but Heavenly Father sees our growth and continues to help us to reach our potential.

As for the miracles this week, the biggest one would probably be with Maddie, our investigator in the YSA. So, we texted her for our lesson this week, and she ended up texting us to see if she could bring her friend Gabby with to the lesson, we of course say yes, and get there and then Maddies boyfriend Kyle calls and asked if he could come with to the lesson too!!! So we taught all three of them! Maddies boyfriend is a member and is going on a mission, but Gabby has met with missionaries on and off for a super long time, but seems like she wants to take the lessons again. She said that she wants to get baptized within the next year, so we'll see what happens!! Either way, it was a super great miracle to start teaching Maddie and Gabby!! Life is great!

Another miracle, while we were on exchanges I was in our area with one of the Spanish sisters, and we went to see a less active in the YSA ward, and we get there and find out that this is a family that the spanish sisters have been trying to get in contact with for a long time and here we are on exchanges and they let us in! Then the sister I was with asked to share a scripture, so she did and the sister we were visiting told us that it was exactly what she needed to hear, and she started crying because of how the scripture touched her heart. The spirit in the room was so strong! 

   It was one of those moments when you realize just how aware Heavenly Father is of you.

We had a leadership meeting this week, that was good! They did it a little bit different than what they've done in the past, so I feel like I learned a lot more of what I can do to help others, so I was very thankful for that meeting! :)

There is a quote on my planner that I feel has helped me a lot on my mission and in becoming who I am today. It says "All of our feelings of inadequacy dissolve when we link arms and do the Lords work, serve him in his glory, and live as his disciples." -Rosemary M. Wixom

    I have learned so many times that I can't do things on my own, that I can't become who I need to be without the Lords help, and I know that with the Lords help I have grown so much, but I also know that I can grow so much more, and that there is no limit to our growth as humans, that like I said earlier, that Heavenly Father sees us as who we can become. I know that as we live as his disciples and act as his disciples, we will serve him, and serve him in his glory. I learned more about conversion yesterday, more of being converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how conversion never ends, but that we always need to work on it, that its a never ending thing that we can always progress in. I know I've grown a lot on my mission, and I know that there is even more growth ahead of me. And I'm excited to grow with my Heavenly Father. 

    I know that Heavenly Father loves me, and that he is aware of me, but also everyone around me. I know that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of who to become like, and as we take steps every day, we can get closer to him.

Well, for the funny moment of the week, once upon a time my companion goes home in about 3 weeks, and we were talking about how awkward her first date is going to be. So missionaries, we do these things called role plays, where we act things out to try and become more confident in what we're doing or teaching. So I had the great idea that we should role play her first date, well, me being really awkward, and both of us being awkward missionaries, we realized that when we get home we're going to be the most awkward RM's in the history of the world. I don't even know how to explain how the role play went, but just know that it was really funny, and that I'm still an awkward missionary. Haha!

I love y'all!! Thanks for being such great support! I love y'all! Have a great week!

~Sister Bond

June 22, 2015

Hey there everyone! This week was a little less eventful than last week, but there were still miracles!!!

Miracle number one: So every Wednesday we go to the nearby college campus and set up a booth so young adults can come and ask us questions and we can answer them, its a great finding tool that we've been blessed with. Anyways, last week we met a guy named Robert that said we could teach him, well, this past Wednesday was when we got to teach him! And something that I've learned that I love about teaching, is being able to watch the spirit working through the people we teach, and seeing it touch their heart, its like flipping on a light switch, there is just a whole new light about them. Robert seems pretty solid, he lives in the Elders area, so we'll be passing him off to them, but it was a pretty cool miracle to teach him! He has a few concerns, but I know that the gospel can help him with any question that he has.

Another miracle! So going along with the last one, so during the summer time, the college is normally pretty slow because there aren't as many people, but this last week when we were there, we were so busy talking with people! One lady even felt bad that we were out in the sun and bought us ice cream. But it's always such a blessing when people are actually really nice and we're able to talk with lots of people.

We were also able to teach our other investigators this week, Maddie and Tia! Maddie is still super solid. I just love her, I could seriously just spend the day with her and be best friends or something. We talked to her about baptism, and she said that she wants to read the entire Book of Mormon before she gets baptized, which we of course respect, so now its nice being able to know some of her concerns. I just hope I'm still here when she finishes the Book of Mormon! :) 

    Tia is still just as prepared as ever! Whenever we teach her she just looks at us like "wow, that makes a lot of sense!" And I'm like "Yeah! Of course it does! Its because its true!" Haha, its pretty great. Shes still excited for her baptism, she found out this week though that shes not sure when shes moving, it could be any day, or it could still be in September, so I'm praying that she waits until September, that way I can continue teaching her! Maybe that's a little bit selfish.. But She is just so great! I love seeing her!!!

We were also able to teach a less active in the family ward, Sister Deighan, shes super awesome! We've been teaching her on and off since I've been here, and we went to see her this week and she ended up teaching us this week! She taught us yoga! It was pretty cool, we were just talking about fitness and yoga and stuff and she asked if we could do some with her, so we did it! We stayed in our skirts and everything! Luckily we were biking that day so we were already wearing pants under our skirts, but it was seriously so nice. It was super relaxing and simply perfect. Then we were able to teach her about enjoying everyday and seeing all the miracles heavenly father gives us. It was perfect!

This morning in my studies I came across this scripture and thought I'd share it, it's John 8:12 and it says "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Which lead me to study light, which is something that I've studied before when I was in Hesperia, but I was able to continue with that study, but first ask the question, what does light do? It dispels darkness, it gives comfort, in gives us a bigger vision, it gives hope, and so much more. Christ truly is light. As we turn to him, trust in him, and rely on him, we too can dispel the darkness that is around us. As we do so, we are able to see more light, we're able to see the bigger picture, and we receive more hope. Think about it, what gives you hope in this life? Everything that gives me hope is because of Christ. He is the true source of hope, and light. And I know that as we follow him, and walk in his footsteps we wont have to walk in darkness, because we will be surrounded by light. 

    There is a way to walk as Christ walked, and a way to not only believe in him, but believe him. To not only know of him, but to know him. And that way it to study his words, act upon his words, and live his words. That as we do so, we can develop greater light, and develop Christlike attributes. 

Hope and light are a gift from God, and I know that we can find that hope, as we rely on the light to lead us to it. Which is in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Friend.

As for the funny moment, one upon a time we were at the booth at the college, and while we're there, we give our number out to everyone, really we just do that everyday, and to everyone we meet, everyone has the number of missionaries.. Anyways, so we gave our number out to this one guy, thinking nothing of it, until later that day he texted us, and we soon found out that he thought that we were hitting on him and wanted to date him. We explained our purpose as missionaries, and why gave out our number.. He responded with a text saying that he thought he was special.. I'm pretty sure we crushed his heart. It was really sad.. But somehow it turned into a funny story.

Anyways! I sure love y'all!!! Thanks for all the love and support y'all give me!! 

Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Bond

June 15, 2015

Hey there everyone! Goodness gracious this was such a great week!! SO many miracles!!! 

We don't have a lot of time left, so I'll probably just write a few of the miracles.

So first off, transfers have come! Sister Vainuku and I are staying together again, so I'm really excited about that. She is a great Sister!

As for the miracles! 

So, on Tuesday we receive a text from a girl in the YSA ward, her name is Maddie. Shes been coming to church for a year now, reads from the Book of Mormon, prays and comes to church. She just hasn't been baptized. Well, she texted us and asked us to come and see her the next day, so we did and found out that she wants to start taking the lessons!!!! So, we were able to see her a couple times this week, she hasn't said anything about baptism yet. But I know its coming, its going to happen! I can feel it. She already has such a strong testimony of the gospel and knows its true. So I'm really excited to start teaching her.

Miracle number two! Once upon a time we received a referral for a girl named Tia, again in the YSA ward, some missionaries contacted her at the park and sent in the referral to go and see her. So we did, and found out that she is SUPER prepared!!! We taught her the restoration right then and there, and invited her to pray about the things we taught to find out if they're true or not, and she looked at us with tears in her eyes and told us that she already knows that its true. She then kept telling us about how she was feeling the spirit, and how God was working with her, and how he sent us to her. She will be getting baptized on July 18th!!! MIRACLE!!!!! Legit, she is SO prepared! But guess what else is a miracle with her! She is from Atlanta! And she will be moving back to Georgia in September. That's when I go home!! So even after my mission I'll be able to see her, and keep in touch!!!! #homegirlsaywhat? #miracle 

   It was one of those times where you just look at  your companion in total shock as to what just happened because you know that it was a miracle from God in knowing that he truly does love each of his children and knows each of us personally.

Miracle number three! There is a less active family in the family ward that we've been teaching, and they came to church yesterday! But the real miracle is that they have a son that's old enough to serve a mission and just decided that he wanted to go on a mission. #what? Yup. They've been on and off less active for a long time, and now their son wants to go on a mission!

Miracle number four we were out trying to find an address, so we were just on the sidewalk looking when we see a man trimming his bushes, so we say hello and start talking with him, and the next thing we know hes giving us TONS of the food hes been growing! Like peaches, tomatoes, pumpkins, lettuce.. You name it, and he probably had it! He said we could go back in the future, which nobody ever says!

Miracle number five, we were out knocking doors before our dinner appointment and met a guy named Ben, and he was super nice and said we could come back, next thing we know we're at dinner and talking to the family about their neighbor named Ben, and now we're going to have desert with them and Ben and hopefully start teaching him! #membermissionaryworkmiracle

Miracle number six, I guess this was more of a tender mercy slash just good day, we were able to bike an entire day, and were able to talk with lots of people! Simply just doing missionary work. Pure hard work! It was one of those days were half the day we were biking uphill basically the entire day and you're just super sweaty and just want to walk, but you bike the entire day and come home at night and just feel good because you knew you worked super hard!

Well y'all, those were just some of the miracles from this week, I'm so thankful for them, and I know that they are out there. I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and gives us miracles, Sister Vainuku and I were talking about how much joy miracles give us, and it only made me wonder how much joy Heavenly Father feels when he sees us so happy. This morning I was reading in my studies, and I came across this scripture, but some background to it, there is a man named Lehi, who was told in a vision that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, so to leave, and Lehi being kind and charitable, was prophesying to the people that it was going to be destroyed. Well, the people decided that they didn't like that, so they rejected Lehi and wanted to kill him. 

But they didn't. But I love the reaction of Nephi, Lehi's son, in stead of being angry with the people, he testifies of tender mercies. The scripture says "And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." 

     I know that like Nephi, that miracles and tender mercies are everywhere, I know that as we acknowledge the miracles, that we will begin to see even more miracles. I know that as we are full of faith, which means to continually act on our faith, that we can participate in miracles.
I know that Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and that we are here to have joy. 

  I love my Father in Heaven and I know that he loves me and that he lives. I know that as we begin to know him, we will begin to know our purpose. 

Well y'all, as for the funny moment, it goes along with my story a couple weeks ago with the dishwasher... Well, a little bit anyways. Once upon a time our shower floor is super gross. So me being the smart person that I am decided that since we didn't have bleach, toilet cleaner would be the next best thing! So I grabbed the toilet cleaner and poured it all over the shower floor and decided I would let it sit over night and it would be an easy clean in the morning. Well.. I learned that when you do that, your shower floor turns yellow. Yup. I don't really know why, but the cleaner turned it yellow! So now it looks even better than before! Haha! But at least now I'm learning these things now that will help me in the future! #goodtimes

Well y'all, I love y'all!!! Look for all the miracles and be sure to send them to me!!!!
Thanks for everything y'all do!!!
Have a great week!!!

Love,
Sister Bond

June 8, 2015

Hello there everyone! Another week has come and gone. Time is really flying out here, I love my mission so much, I wish time wouldn't fly by so fast!

As for this week, its been pretty great, super crazy, but great!

Monday was the usual, nothing big happened, we had a sisters activity and played ultiamte ball, but that's about it.

Tuesday was full of miracles though! So first we saw Lidia, a returning less active, and had a great lesson with her. Every time I see her my heart just hurts for her, but she is still pressing forward and keeps on trying. 

   As for the miracle, I don't remember if I told you about Jeovanna or not last week, so in case I didn't, I'll start from the beginning! So, once upon a time the Elders were really thirsty and needed some water, so they went tracting to go and find some water, and ended up finding Jeovanna, shes about 23 so they gave us the referral. They set up a time for us to go over, but she canceled the appointment. But she ended up coming to church on Sunday so we set up a time to go and see her, so we went over on Tuesday, and before the lesson we planned on teaching about the plan of salvation, because she had just lost her brother a few months ago, so we were going to teach about how she could see him again, well while we were getting to know her religious beliefs Sister Vainuku and I both felt super prompted to change our lesson to the message of the restoration, so Sister Vainuku changed it very smoothly with the spirit, and we ended up teaching a super powerful lesson, it was one of those when you KNOW that you're not the one teaching, and you know that its the spirit. 

    At the end of the lesson I invited her to be baptized and she said yes. SAY WHAT?!?! Yup. Shes going to get baptized, she didn't set a specific date. But she is so prepared and already willing to be baptized. Heavenly Father is great. I know that this is a miracle given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. #miracle #Godisgood #myheavenlyfatherlovesme

Wednesday we were on exchanges, so I stayed in the area with a sister waiting for her visa to go to Brasil. Goodness gracious it was such a crazy day! We went to visit a less active in Fontana, which is out of the mission, but because we're in the YSA we cover that area for the YSA people. But anyways, we went to go and see her and ended up getting lost for an hour in rush hour traffic. #thestruggleisreal #butsoistheatonement But while we were stuck in traffic, Sister Neilsen was a champ and waved to everyone and brightened many peoples days. And we ended up finding the house and were able to teach a super good lesson to Marleen! Who is someone I just love, we went in planning to teach one thing, but ended up teaching something totally different. #thespiritisthetrueteacher #ilearnedsomuch 

  Then that night we taught our Bible class, not very many people came, but I sure learned a lot!

Thursday we had MLC, and it was all on becoming more like Christ, and lemme tell you, I have a long way to go! But the good thing is, Christ gives us hope to become better. I learned that if I want to become more like Jesus Christ, I need to know Jesus Christ. So after MLC I was trying to find ways to know him more, and the spirit told me to do a 40 day fast, and I was like "I don't know how to do a 40 day fast!" But this is what the spirit has taught me! So I've picked 4 Christlike attributes that I want to work on, and  I've picked one attribute for 10 days, and I've picked one way for every 10 days to work on that attribute, so far I only have 30 days planned, but I'm really excited about this! I don't know if that made any sense, but I hope it did! If you'd like to do the same, here is the link to the activity and more about Christlike attributes: https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-develop-christlike-attributes.p292?lang=eng

   

Friday was pretty normal, we had cyber seniors and helped more people with their computer skills, and did some weekly planning! But we did have a really good lesson with a family in the family ward. #lifeisgood

Saturday we were on exchanges, I was in the Spanish branch in Upland, so it was fun. We ended up going to a bike trail and handing out free water bottles! It was good, we were able to talk with people AND do service! I still don't speak Spanish, but its nice going to their area. I did learn how to make tortias though!

Sunday we were in church all day, but I learned that if I want to be happy in the future, I need to choose to be happy now. It was a good lesson!

Well, like I said, I've been trying to find ways to be more like Christ, and so I've been studding more about Christ, and what I've learned is that Christ is perfect. And that I am not. Well, I already knew that, but it has strengthened my testimony on how even though I'm not perfect, I can become better through Jesus Christ. In The Book of Mormon in Moroni 10:32-33 it says: Yea, comeunto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

     I know that as we come unto Christ that we can be sanctified and made clean and pure. I love this scripture because it reminds me that his grace is sufficient for me, that I may be clean and pure, that as I put off the natural woman and rely on Christ, and develop Christlike attributes, I can be made perfect through his Atonement.  I love Jesus Christ, and I know that he is my friend, and my brother. 

As for the funny moment of this week, we were at dinner and the family we were eating with asked their 7 year old daughter if they knew where Georgia was, and her response was "uh... is it in Utah?" Maybe it was a you had to be there moments, but because everyone and their dog is from Utah, she automatically thought Georgia was in Utah! It was adorable!

Well y'all, I'm thankful for all the love and support y'all give me every day! Thank you for all y'all do!

I hope y'all are safe and have a great week!!

Love, 

Sister Bond

June 1, 2015

Hey there everyone! So once again, we're short on time. But this week was crazy. We were on exchanges almost the entire week, if exchanges have taught me anything, they've taught me that I'm thankful for my companion and for my area!

So since we emailed on Tuesday, I'll just start where I left off.

So Wednesday we were on exchanges, I went to the Victoria ward here in Rancho, and I was with a sister from Finland! It was way cool, she tried teaching me a little bit of Finnish, I learned Hei Kaikki! I think that means "Hey y'all"... Or at least that's what its supposed to mean. But That day was pretty eventful! I can finally say that I've been attacked  by a dog!!! Well... Not really, but its the closest I've come, once upon a time we were talking to a man from Jordan, and I commented on how I liked how fluffy his dog was, and he asked me if I wanted to pet her, so of course I said yes, so I have my hand out so she can sniff me like you're supposed to, and next thing I know the dog snarled at me and snipped at my wrist. It was great. I  just laugh because the dog was so cute and so fluffy that this had to be the first dog that bit me on my mission. #I'marealmissionarynow 

  We were also just out talking to people and a drunk man invited us over to talk with him. It was interesting, he started talking about how corrupt California is. #goodtimes 

Then I just ended up getting hit on by a random guy. But I did try fish tacos! They were alright, I probably wouldn't order them again, but now I can say I've tried them!

Thursday we were on exchanges again, this one I stayed in our area, and the sister that I was with Sister served in Lawrenceville! So I knew exactly who her sister was, and we were able to talk about that. It was lots of fun, this sister has only been out for about 4 weeks, and its amazing to me to see how prepared these missionaries are, and how strong they are. I look up to these new missionaries!  But the exchange was great, we went to institute that night and it was all about marriage. #awkwardmissionaryproblems but that morning we were able to teach a girl named Lidia, shes a less active and holy poo nuggets. I am so blessed with the family I have, and with so many things. Shes had a ROUGH life, but when we were teaching, the spirit was SO strong, I'm thankful for that experience in being able to feel to spirit, and being able to make such great connections.

Friday I was actually with my companion! Yay! We actually moved apartments on Friday, so we were packing and moving, but we were able to do service with Cyber seniors! So we were able to teach more elderly people about computers.

Then Saturday we were on exchanges again, this one was with a sister that I've served with her entire mission, so for the past 6 months. And its amazing being able to see such growth in her! And being able to experience the joy of missionary work. It was one of those days where not a single person answers the door, but one of those days where you know you're doing everything in your power to help the people around you.

Sunday we were in church all day, but I learned at church that no matter how many sacrifices you make, Christ has already done the ultimate sacrifice.

Which leads me to this. That Christ lives. Today I read a scripture that touched my heart, its in the Book of Mormon, in Moroni chapter 9, verse 25. And the scripture says: My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

   The background of the scripture is that this is a letter written by a man named Mormon, and he was talking about how much wickedness is going on in the world around him, and how hes loosing his strength and will pass on soon. But I know that like this scripture says, that Christ may lift us up. Not to let our trials weigh us down, but to let Christ rise us up. He was risen on the cross, so he may lift us up through our trials.  And I  know that he will lift us up, that  as we are faithful, and as we trust in God, we may be lifted up, because Christ will lift us.

As for the funny moment of the week, it was great. Once upon a time we moved into our new apartment, and we didn't have any boxes, so we packed our dishes in a trash can, and I didn't feel like washing the dishes by hand, so I just popped them all into the dish washer in our new place. Well, we didn't have any dishwasher soap, so I figured regular dish soap would work... Well... I put them in and started the dish washer and left for about 8 minutes to go take care of some other things.. Well, next thing I know I see bubbles ALL over the floor! It was just like in the movies where soap and bubbles seep through the dishwasher. All I could do was laugh. It was hilarious. As of right now, the dishwasher still has bubbles in it. Thankfully no more on the floor, just in the dishwasher. 

#nowourfloorisclean

Well y'all, I'm thankful for all the blessings that Heavenly Father has given me. I know that he is aware of each of us, and has perfect timing. I love y'all! 

Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Bond

May 26, 2015

Hey there everyone! So since the library was closed yesterday we have an hour to email today, so we don't have much time but I'll try to still make this a good email!! 

This week was crazy busy, but I feel like all weeks are like that now a days. Good thing I love it! 

Time sure is flying by though, I realized this morning that today marks my 15 month mark! Which is slightly depressing to think about how fast that is. But enough of that!

This week!

Monday was kinda the usual, we just had FHE with the YSA ward, so that's always fun, I think I'm starting to remember names, so that's been a blessing!

Tuesday we had interviews with President Hobbs, which was pretty great! I learned that as we're focused, and as we work hard, that everything we do will improve! 

    We also had a lesson with a less active in the YSA ward named Lidia, we normally do our lessons with her at the church, which is also the mission office, and Lidia was running late, so we went to see if there was anything we could do in the office while we waited, when we walk in and see Sister Hobbs! We talked to her for a minute or two and then told her we were going to see Lidia, and she asked if she could come with, which she did! It was great! We taught about the Atonement, and Gods love, and ended up singing I am a Child of God with Lidia. It was awesome! It's moments like these where I'm thankful that I'm a missionary. 

     Later that day we had a lesson with Marleen from the YSA, she's the one that just got Zumba certified, another member from the YSA ended up coming with to the lesson, which was super great! Life is good.

Wednesday  not a lot happened, we taught our Bible class that night. We also biked all day, I don't remember if I told y'all or not, but I'm using one of the mission bikes for when we're working in the family ward, and I forgot how much I loved biking! It's the best. Plus Rancho is a little bit busier than Apple Valley so I think I get twice as many weird looks from biking here than when I biked up there. Its the best.

Thursday we went on Exchanges! So I was in Upland for the day, I learned that being bold with people is a sign of your love. Because you're being honest and letting them know how much you care about them. It was a good day! We had a miracle that day though! So we walked to a former investigators house (which we had never met this man before) and he wasn't home so we left our card on the door, and about two hours later we get a phone call from this man saying that he apologized for not answering the door because he was in the back yard and didn't hear us, then invited us over. Miracle! That had never happened to me before, so it was pretty cool. We went over and we soon learned that this man knows A LOT about plants, more specifically Cactus. He has over a thousand plants in his back yard. It was crazy! But he showed us around and gave us some fruit, and we got a return appointment! It was wonderful! He was a little bit on the crazy side, but he was really nice, so I'm excited to hear about what happens with him.

Friday we did service! YAY! And its the coolest thing. So now, every Friday Sister Vainuku and I go to the community center and teach old people how to use computers! Its a program called cyber seniors, and we just go and teach about how to access facebook, or their email, or simple things like that. Its the cutest thing ever. I taught this old man how to use ebay.. I don't even know how to use ebay!  But we figured it out a little bit, which was a tender mercy, but it was so much fun! We're going to do that every week now.

Saturday we were on exchanges again, and I was in a biking area here in Rancho Cucamonga, and it was with a good friend of mine from my mission, I served with her in Apple Valley, and now again in Rancho, so it was wonderful to spend the day with her. And goodness gracious, I learned so much! Like 1. Singing during lessons is wonderful, I've only sung in a few of the lessons I've taught, but we sang in almost every lesson, it was great! And I also learned 2. To show your love to everyone, it was great being able to see the love this sister had for everyone we met and talked to. 

   We ended up talking to this one man while we were biking for like an hour, everything he talked about for his beliefs we also believe, and it was all found in the Book of Mormon! So they're hopefully going to see him soon. It was an exchange miracle! 

    That night was a little bit eventful though, we went back to their apartment to exchange back and found that the carbon monoxide alarm had been going off. So we had a sleepover at our apartment, we think it was just the batteries, but we all felt light headed when we got a few things out of the apartment. So the moral of the story, check your alarms! We don't want people to die.

Sunday was your average Sunday covering two wards. Lots of meetings, but lots of knowledge. 

I learned at church that as we keep a daily plan it helps us to become more like Christ, because as we plan our day, we're going to plan things that are good. So as we do things that are good, its going to make us want to become better. Cool right? I think I'm always going to keep a daily plan now!
  We also had Tongan food for dinner that night, so that was exciting!

Something that I'm thankful for is how much Heavenly Father loves me, it makes me want to love everyone so much more when I think about how much he loves me. Because I know that his hand is in all things, I know that he loves to bless us, I love looking through out my week and seeing the tender mercies everyday, it doesn't matter how hard a day may seem, but there are tender mercies in every single day. I was looking at one of my old planners a few days ago, and it was from one where I was kinda going through a rough patch, but everyday I write down 3 things that I'm thankful for, and one of the three things were just prayers on the bathroom floor, something so simple, but so meaningful. I've learned so much on my mission, and I've felt the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so strong. There is no doubt in my mind or in my heart that the Atonement is real, and that God is aware of me. I know that he is, and I strive everyday to become better.   I truly love Jesus Christ, and I know that he loves me.

Well y'all, I'm out of time, but I love y'all!!! Have a great week!!!

Love, 

Sister Bond

May 18, 2015

Hey there everyone! I sure hope y'all had a great week! You know those days where you just feel like you're working super hard and you're exhausted by the end of the night? Yup, it was one of those weeks, but it was also a week of miracles!! Things are super crazy here in California, but I'm loving it!

Some highlights from this week include:

Tuesday we had our zone meeting, which is where all the missionaries in Rancho Cucamonga got together to hear different trainings to learn and to apply to missionary work, Sister Vainuku and I were able to give a training on the Book of Mormon and how it answers our questions of the soul, and it was pretty great if I do say so myself! It was one of those things were everything just flowed together perfectly. I'm so thankful for the Spirit in helping us prepare. President and Sister Hobbs were there along with the assistants to President, so I was a little bit nervous, but it ended up being a great experience! I love the Book of Mormon, and I love when the Spirit testifies of the truthfulness of it to me. #Ilovethespirit #Ilovethegospel #missionarylife

Wednesday we were on exchanges and we had a miracle! So we were just walking down the street, and we were talking to a man, and he asked the questions of if Mormons were racist, which we're not, so we were talking to them and testifying about how we're all Gods children and he loves each of us, well next thing I know the sister I was with pulls out a scripture from the Book of Mormon that we used in our training about this very question, and the guy was super nice and said that we could continue to talk to him in the future, it was such a blessing because it showed me that one, someone listened to our training, and two, they were able to take that and apply it into their efforts! It was such a blessing!    

     

Thursday was great because we were able to teach our investigator Rudy, and it was in a members home and the member basically taught the lesson, and taught all about prayer. It was great! 

   But he texted us yesterday and said he's not sure if he wants to continue meeting with us or not, so we'll be seeing him on Saturday, so we're praying that everything goes well with him. 

    Then that night we had Institute, and was a great lesson on loving everyone, it was on the prodigals son from the new testament, it was great! I just love the gospel!

Friday we were able to go out and talk to some really nice people, not a lot were really interested, but it always makes my day when people are just nice. We also did our weekly planning, which will be a key in our miracle for Saturday.

Saturday! Okay, so y'all ready for a miracle? So, once upon a time during our weekly planning I we were talking and I just had a strong impression that someone was waiting for us to find them. and I was just thinking about that feeling, and I said to my companion that we were going to find someone named Jennifer, or someone with a J name, Sister Vainuku agreed, but said that it didn't feel like Jennifer, just that it was going to be someone with a name that starts with J. So we wrote in big letters on our white board under our finding ideas to find J.  Well, there was also a street that we felt prompted to knock doors on, so we had written it down a couple of different times.    

   Well, Saturday we were on exchanges again and decided to finally go and tract this street, and so the first two doors we knocked on didn't answer, but the third one the sweetest little old lady answers the door and is super adorable. Like, I just wanted to hug her she was so cute. So we get to talking and sure enough she asks where I was from, and I tell her that I'm from Georgia, well next thing we know shes telling us about how she grew up in Georgia and invited us into her home! MIRACLE NUMBER ONE! Nobody has EVER let me into their home when I've tracted, they've all said to come back on another day. So, she lets us in and we get to talking with her, and end up teaching her the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I invite her to be baptized, and she said that she would think about it and pray about it. ANOTHER MIRACLE! And then, guess what! Her name is Juliet. WE FOUND J!!!!!!!!!! #expectmiracles #miraclefromtracting #WEFOUNDJ Once she told me her name I did a happy dance inside and got really excited. And after we left we I told the sister I was with about how I felt like we were going  to find a person with a name that starts with a J and she flipped out too. We exchanged back that night and I told Sister Vainuku and we all talked about how much of a miracle it was to meet Juliet, it just showed me that miracles are everywhere!!!!

Then on Sunday after church we met with Marleen a less active in the YSA ward, and during her lesson, I got the strongest impression that I was sent to this area for her and that I had met her before, there is just such a closeness, its like we've been friends for years. #miracle! It was such a great day.

Heavenly Father has shown me so many miracles! There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon which says  "And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.
And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.
Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth." 

   I know that  our Heavenly Father is a God of miracles. I know that he gives us these miracles because he loves us, and that as we have faith in him, and in our brother Jesus Christ, we can see these miracles! I know that miracles are everything from rain, and grass to finding an investigator with the name that starts with a J.  I know that as we turn towards Christ that we can see all the miracles that God has bestowed upon us. I can't say it enough, but I know that God is a God of miracles. and that we can see miracles everywhere, and as we are full of faith, we can help to participate in these miracles. I love my Heavenly Father so much, I know that he loves us, and that he will continue to bless us with miracles every single day. There may be struggles and hard times, but I know that there are still miracles in everyday.

As for the funny moment of the week, once upon a time we were in our lesson with our investigator Rudy, well next thing we know in the middle of the lesson at a pretty spiritual point, we hear a knock on the door, and guess who it is! Its the Sister Missionaries!! The member invited them in and they helped in our lesson. It was just super funny that they stopped by at the same time we were teaching our lesson. 

    As for the other funny moment, last night I woke up to Sister Vainuku sleep talking in tongan, once morning came I told her what she said and we found out that she was calling for her sister! It was pretty funny.

Well y'all, I'm so thankful for y'all and for the miracle it is to have y'all in my life. Thanks for being so great! I hope y'all have a great week and see the miracles all around you!!!

Love, 

Sister Bond