Week # 79: The Final Countdown

This week is kind of bittersweet, as I am headed home tomorrow! So I
am both excited and sad- I will miss being a missionary, and it
definitely went by way too fast, but I am excited to go home and see
everyone!

It was also an eventful week! We had zone conference on Wednesday, and
it was awesome to see everyone and to feel the Spirit. I learned a lot
too. There was a lot about change and being okay with it, and about
trusting God, which, given what's happening this week, was a good
message to hear. I got to bear my "departing testimony" which was sad.

Sister Egger (88) We read the Book of Mormon with her every day!

We also had interviews this week so we got to see President McAteer
and Sister McAteer again! My interview was really short since normal
interviews were Thursday and my departing interview was Saturday so it
was more like "see you in two days." It was fun to talk with them
though- they are amazing people!

Julie is doing amazing- she even came to church! And stayed all three
hours! It was so good too. The Spirit was strong. She is really coming
along, and I think she does have a desire to be baptized. The real
question is which is stronger, her desire for coffee or the
gospel...we're still working on it, but she's so much closer than she
was. She is pretty incredible and the gospel can bring her so much joy
and peace.

With Julie!

And we got to see Angie! She is really showing a lot more real intent
and she had read from the Book of Mormon and so we read a little more
and said goodbye and all that.

Sister Knopp

Yesterday it poured rain, and both of us got soaked (but I was the
drier of the two of us) and we were out walking around during the
Super Bowl talking to people- it was pretty fun. Good times on the
mission. It felt just like Washington (none of that ice and snow
stuff).

Something that stuck out to me this week during zone conference was
the first phrase of Ether 12:27. Backstory- Satan has been trying hard
this week to discourage me, to tell me my mission was useless and I
made no difference, and reminding me of all these weaknesses. Then
this scripture was quoted four or five times during zone conference,
and I noticed something new. The verse starts with "And if men come
unto me, I will show unto them their weakness." On my mission I felt
like my weaknesses have been shown more than ever before and this was
the first time I recognized that seeing these weaknesses means I am
coming closer to my Father in heaven and to my Savior- He shows them
to us, and if we are humble and turn to Him, this same scripture
promises "I will make weak things become strong." So if you see your
weaknesses, don't ever get discouraged because it just means that our
Savior is trying to help you improve and to grow to be more like Him,
to be who He sees you can be. If there was one thing I could
communicate to each of you, it would be His infinite love. Even when
we mess up, when we are weak, even when we don't believe in His love,
it is still there. It is always there, waiting to lift us from our
sins and sorrows, to leave weaknesses behind, if we let Him.

I love you all! See you soon!
Sister Jacobs

A little mix-up in the Gospel Library App pictures!  What's up at DI?

Very Windy

Ice Capades!!

Cookie Monsters Strike For One Last Time

Sister Jacobs had to have one more run of Cookie Monsters!  Made cookies with Sister Hobbs and dropped them off and ding-dong ditched to lift and cheer others in need!!!!

Ding Dong Ditch!

Hurry up!

A few burned ones--Boo!

Week #78: Changes and Temple Blessings

This week has been crazy! In an awesome way. Hopefully most of you
have heard about the worldwide missionary broadcast by now, but if not
I'm going to sum it up anyway! So essentially they made changes to our
schedule as missionaries. Before, it was very exact, and we had to do
certain things at certain times- I have had personal study at 8am
nearly every day for the past 18 months except for when we had
meetings. But now the schedule is much more flexible- we just should
have studies sometime before 10, and now, daily planning happens in
the morning instead of the night before, and companionship study
happens during the day sometime. We've been getting used to the
additional flexibility- which actually is really nice, but is
definitely taking some getting used to.

The other really exciting thing this week happened on Friday- we had
the departing temple trip! So I and the other five missionaries going
home this transfer all got to go to the temple with President and
Sister McAteer (pictures to come). There's three English sisters going
home, one Hermana, and two Spanish elders. We took the big twelve
passenger van from the mission office to the temple, and luckily
didn't hit too much traffic at all! It was amazing too- the Spirit in
the temple was so strong. That's a testimony to me of regular temple
attendance- having gone two weeks in a row rather than going once
every six months as has been the case previously on my mission. I was
able to focus on the Spirit much more than trying to remember
everything- after six months, it's all pretty unfamiliar.

Besides that, this week has been pretty normal! We were able to see
Julie- she is doing well, coming along slowly but surely. We were able
to commit her to another baptism date in March (she said she wanted to
get baptized before either of us left so we had to break the news that
it was not possible at this point). Hopefully we can get her to church
next week- especially since it's my last Sunday!

Sister Jacobs discovers "Where the sidewalk ends..."

We were able to see Angie! And she was feeling better too. We actually
had a really good discussion with her.

Also, we took the bikes out this week! (I've only been kinda ignoring
it). We couldn't really find rides so we just decided to bike it, and
it actually went pretty well. The weather was nice too (or we might
not have done it). Both of us were a little stiff but nothing too bad.

Beautiful View

Yesterday at church, we had Sister Muraski's parents there- her dad is
serving as a mission president in Peru and was here to visit. He
taught the third hour for the youth so Brother Johnson suggested we
come and listen and we did- it was amazing. He talked so much about
preparing for a mission and how the best way to do that is really to
have a testimony embedded in your own heart. It was a bit of an
emotional roller coaster for me- this whole week has been, as I
contemplate going home and leaving this all behind me. Sometimes I
wonder what difference I've made in people's lives or what I've done
to really help or change anything and some days I feel okay about it
and others I'm not so sure. But I do know I've changed, even if only a
little bit, and that is something that will shape my future. President
Williams reminded me of what is most important- not numbers of people
baptized or of lessons taught, but of the change in hearts- our own
and others. And that can still happen to me when I return home. That
is all a choice I can make. And that was kind of the theme of the week
for me- I may not know exactly where I will work or what I will major
in or who I will marry but I know that God will guide me and
everything will work out even if I don't always see exactly how. So
all I have to do is to keep doing what I can- to study my scriptures
and apply them in my life, to serve where I can, to never be afraid to
testify of the gospel, of Jesus Christ, and of the Restoration. To
continue to try every day no matter what obstacles may come. To cry a
little and laugh a little. And it doesn't mean I'm not a little scared
or worried or anxious, but it means that those feelings don't hold me
back. So that's my challenge for each of you this week is to draw
closer to Him and trust Him, even if you are afraid.

I love you all! Have an incredible week!
Sister Jacobs

Week #77: Old Friends, New Miracles

Hola muchachos!

(Sister Layton just LOVES my Spanglish :))

This week has been amazing! Everyone has seemed to be home, and we
have had some neat things happen.

On Tuesday we went on exchanges! I went with Sister Arbon to YSA and
since the YSA sisters are covering the Mountain View Ward....I got to
go back to Mountain View for a day! It was the coolest and also the
weirdest thing. We didn't get to go by too many of my favorite people
(probably a good thing) but we did get to see the Baldwins! They are
pretty amazing. It was fun to be back for a day.

On Wednesday we had district meeting. I didn't realize until it was
over that it will be my last district meeting, due to a missionary
broadcast next week and zone conference the week after that.
Afterwards, our district (minus the zone leaders who didn't stick
around for lunch) went to Sonic. And then we went out and we had a
great day! We talked to and taught quite a few new people, and even
found a new investigator. We had a Laurel, Sophia, come out with us as
well, which was so fun! And we had dinner with a less active member
who is super sweet. She has two adorable and rambunctious boys. We
encouraged her to bring them to Primary sometime!

On Thursday, we got to go to the temple! It was so awesome. I love
being in the temple- it is so beautiful and peaceful. And afterwards,
we went to Deseret Book and I found Lamb of God! It's a really neat
oratorio (I think?) about the last few days before the Savior's death
and then His resurrection. The music so beautiful and really brings
the Spirit. So of course I got it and we listened to it on the way
home and also off and on for the next few days.

Also on Thursday we informally declared war with the elders. We're trying to see who can pick up the most cats! I think we're in the lead (Sister Layton picks up the cats and I take pictures so we have
evidence).

Thursday was also our Relief Society activity! (It was an exciting day). They had dinner and a white elephant gift exchange, since that didn't happen last month. And they introduced the theme for the year.
A lot of less active sister came which was amazing!

Friday was a little more low key. We weekly planned and then saw the Ells and Sister Knopp. They are awesome! And we had dinner at the
Bradshaws- they made us spam pad Thai - it was actually really good! Their kids are the cutest.







On Saturday we were also able to get in touch with a ton of people-
many that we had never met before, and many that we had but had
struggled to contact. And we had dinner at the Jones!

Sunday was one of He most exciting days. First of all, we were able to
contact and actually teach Monique- she was in our area book. We had
an awesome conversation and we are going back next week! And the most
amazing thing happened Sunday night. So after having our appointments
cancel, we decided for ease of rides we'd see if our dinner
appointment could give us a ride home and we'd stay in our
neighborhood. So we did. And I remembered this less active named
Kimberly who's husband I met back with Sister Sitala and he said to
come by in the evening sometime. So, what the heck right, we'll try
it. So we did! She was so nice, and let us in. We tale,d for a while,
helped socialize her dog by feeding her treats (she's a sweetie), and
then she told us about her struggles to find faith and how she wants
to find faith and to believe. And we shared the Mormon Message
"Mountains to Climb" (if you haven't seen it, I invite you to watch
it! It's so powerful. It's on LDS.org or Gospel Library). So I'm
watching the video and I look up and she's crying. She opened up and
we were able to have a great conversation about faith and prayer and
finding out for ourselves through nurturing that seed of desire.
Heavenly Father sent us to see her at that exact moment when she
needed it the most, when she was searching and her heart was open.

The thing that struck me the most was when we were reporting our key indicators to our district leader. We have what we call OYMs (open
your mouth) for the number of new people we talk to each day. Our goal is ten people a day, or seventy a week. Well after working so hard and doing so much, we had a grand total of........28. It really hit home to me that Heavenly Father is not so concerned about numbers as He is about His children and that we are working hard to reach out to each of them. I felt good about each and every one of those 28 people and we did our best to really share the message of the gospel and the
message of hope. We stayed positive, and because of that, we were able to see miracles! It has been an incredible and rejuvenating week- I was reminded of how much I love missionary work and how much I love this gospel and how much I love my Savior.





On that note, I invite you all to go out and open your mouth this
week. Don't be afraid to share what you believe and to share hope with
those around you. And if you need something specific, that video is a
good place to start!

Love you all! Had an amazing week!
Sister Jacobs

Week #76: Winter Wonderland (Stop it Elsa!!)

Wow!  Snow!

For the update on this week's weather: we had almost a whiteout on
Tuesday night. We got five or six inches of snow! And then it snowed a
bit more. And then it never melted- temperatures have been below
freezing all week. So the sun comes out, melts a bit of the snow and
ice, then it goes down, taking the temperature with it, and all that
melt just refreezes so the roads have been increasingly slick. We've
had a ton of fun playing in the snow- we even built a snowman! And
helped shovel the driveway.

Sister Snow!

Hey Snow Sister!!

Other fun things that happened this week- we had a district blitz of
our area! Our district came and helped us find potentials that we've
been unable to contact for a while. It was pretty awesome! That same
morning we had a fun zone service project- we went to Lacamas Lake and
helped take down English ivy. The biggest vine we had was bigger than
my fist! But usually they were small vines and easy to cut.

Beautiful Snow Scene

We had a super fun FHE with the Smiths- members of the ward- and they had us over for dinner later in the week and made us Costa Rican food!  It was so yummy. They invited another couple that just moved in so we had the chance to get to know them.

We saw Julie and had pretty good discussions with her- we talked a lot about repentance and tender mercies and tried to help her see how the
Atonement and the gospel can really bless her. She hasn't made it to church yet- 9am is a bit early for her usual schedule. We are hoping to bring her to see a baptism this week- one of the neighboring wards is having a baptism on Tuesday.









We also saw one of the other less active sisters that we've been out
of touch with for a week or two, partly due to weather. She really
opened up to us about her life and what's going on. Sometimes I wonder
why we can't just fix things for people so they could be happy but
then I remember that would frustrate the entire plan of salvation, to
take away someone's free will. We can't really help her but we
testified of the Atonement and how that can apply and help her in her
situation.

It's supposed to rain the next couple days and warm up, so hopefully
everything will be back to normal! Which is a good metaphor for life-
sometimes things get icy and stormy and the best way to deal with it
is to slow down, be careful, and pray a LOT. And once things melt we
can be grateful and move forward normally again. We can't follow the
example of the people who speed and slide through the ice because
inevitably they will eventually spin out and crash, which takes much
longer to fix.

I love you all! Have a warm and amazing week!

Ice!  Ice!  Ice!

Week #75: Frozen Ponds and Frozen Rain

I hope you all had an amazing week! Ours was pretty fun-

Julie prayed on her own! After our lessons previously we have had to
bug her a little bit to say the closing prayer but this time, she
remembered she had promised to say it (and said so at the beginning of
our lesson) and said it at the end without any complaints! She is
slowly progressing and feeling the Spirit. She ALMOST came with us to
another ward's baptism on Saturday, but overslept and so she didn't
make it.

Erin decorated this cast!!  Always teaching the gospel!

We saw Angie finally- she seems really stuck in a rut, spiritually and
otherwise. We, along with her member friend from another ward, have been trying to get her to do something besides sit in her house all
day and not feel good. We've encouraged her to read and pray and
invited her to be baptized and pray about a date. She's just got to
act!








It was really cold this week- either close to or below freezing- so
one night after dinner one of our ward members decided to take us to
meet her neighbors to keep us from walking around in the cold- which
was awesome! We invited them all to the upcoming Relief Society
activity.

Erin saw the heavens in the ice!

Ice!!

Speaking of the cold, it was oddly clear all week (especially for
Washington) and then Saturday the clouds rolled in and it snowed.
Then, Sunday we got some freezing rain. Church was cancelled by
Saturday evening and we ended up indoors all day- it was so icy that
even if we could get down our driveway we felt like we wouldn't be
able to get back up! It's still icy this morning, but starting to melt
luckily. It was a crazy ride!

Completely Frozen!

Other fun stories- we had dinner with the Rapiers in our ward. They
are the parents of Bailey's in-laws. (Bailey is someone I taught who
got baptized a little over a year ago). And she showed us pictures of
Bailey going through the temple!!! That was a cool moment.

This week I've been thinking a lot about plans and perspective. I know
when I don't have a plan I get really stressed- even if the plan
changes, just having a plan helps. And perspective- having eternal
perspective helps us plan for the greatest goal of our lives- to make
it back to live with our Heavenly Father and to receive all the
blessings He has promised us. He has laid out the plan for us to do
that, and showed us a path to follow. That is the gospel of Jesus
Christ- faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and enduring to the end. And he revealed the plan of salvation
and showed us what we can strive for. Heavenly Father makes it as easy
as He can for us to return to Him, and He will not take away our
agency either. So all we have to do is follow Him! And maintain that
perspective. And we will be okay.

I love you all! Have a great week!
Sister Jacobs

Week #74: The Way Things Work

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's already 2017. The year has flown by! And so much has happened. I feel like I have changed in a lot of ways but I'm also still the same. It's pretty crazy! For New Year's Eve, we had dinner
with Sister Schott.  We made homemade pizza! And then since we couldn't go out, we did our weekly planning instead.

This week we got a car! (Just for one day). Sister Peterson was going home-oh yeah, it was also transfers this week, We are both staying, so
her companion was in a trio with the other sisters and since their car wasn't being used, they let us have it for the day! So we got to go down to a part of our area that we don't usually get to go to, since
there aren't very many sidewalks or shoulders to the road. It was pretty fun! That part of our area is right on the river so there's some gorgeous views, and many gorgeous houses! It was really nice to
have a car for a little while.



We were able to see Sister Samuelson this week and she shared a pretty
amazing experience. The Relief Society Christmas gift this year was a
little ceramic tile with the words "Be Still And Know That I Am" on it
in vinyl. And we made them all- probably over 100 tiles. So she told
us that after an extraordinarily bad day she came home and she found
the tile hanging on the door, like a message from Heavenly Father. It
was pretty cool to see how Heavenly Father used that effort and those
little tiles to send a message to His daughter when she needed it
most. I love that verse too- "be still and know that I am God"- I've
seen that so many times on my mission, how God's hand is in the little
things in our lives. He reaches out in so many ways! And He
accomplishes miracles through His people.

I started MyPlan this week (it's a six-week training course for
missionaries in their last transfer). This week it talked a lot about
becoming and developing (something along those lines). It got me
thinking about the big perspective, kind of like those tiles. Missions
are so amazing and they help us become more who God wants us to be and
to learn to rely on Him. And there is still so much to life after
that- God has so much more perspective. Which reminds me about our
mortal life- it's kind of like a mission where we're cut off from our
heavenly home except for prayer and scripture study. We are here to
learn and grow, but we aren't done when we die. That is just another
beginning, and God has so much more planned for us than we can see
with our mortal eyes.

That's about all the cool stories from this week- it was pretty
normal! We took some good pictures too.

I love you all! Have an amazing first week of the year- make it good.

Sister Jacobs

Week 73: The Gift Of The Holy Ghost (is the best Christmas gift)!

Jeneva's Baptism

 Merry Christmas!

This week was long- probably because we were counting down until
Christmas :) Exciting things happened!

Jeneva got baptized on Thursday! It was pretty amazing. We almost were
late due to ride miscommunication but it all came out okay. Quite a
few people from the ward came, especially considering it was Christmas
time. And her grandpas from both sides came too! And she was confirmed
on Sunday which is the reason for the title of this email- she
received the Gift of the Holy Ghost on Christmas!

Zone caroling

We went caroling twice- once in the Mount Norway ward as a zone blitz and once to Avamere (which is a rehab place for old people with broken hips and the like). It was so fun! It really felt like Christmas. We went as a zone both times.

For Christmas Eve we were at the Marsdens and that was so fun :) we had lasagna! And garlic bread, yum. They are too funny. And we went to the Mays afterwards (President May is the stake president) and they had their family over so we got to meet all of them.

Christmas was awesome! We opened presents and had waffles for breakfast. And then we went to Iva's and had brunch! Lots of food. We visited some families, and had church- Julie W came! It was awesome!








And we came home and Skyped our families- that was awesome too. We
played Skip - Bo with Sister Schott and then had dinner at the Olsens
and then came home and played Phase 10 with Sister Schott. So it was a
good Christmas!

My thought for the week comes kid of from my studies this morning. As
I was reading I was trying to focus and just having a hard time
focusing on the Spirit and learning and then I had the thought "let go
of your fear" and I realized I'd been stressing and over analyzing
about this, that, and the other. And so I had to consciously let it
go, and after that I could feel the Spirit a lot better. So I invite
each of you to not let your fear hold you back this week!

Study Buddy!

Love you all! Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!
Sister Jacobs