The Spirit of Christmas

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Good Morning!!

This week was a miracle! It’s like Thanksgiving ends and suddenly everyone remembers Jesus Christ again and how much He has done for the world. Last night we went caroling and it was amazing! People opened their door to us when we sang to them when they would never do it normally and we got some solid potential investigators from it. =) One potential investigator's name is Swagat. He was so nice. He loved the caroling and said he'd watch the free Christmas DVD. Hopefully we'll be meeting him again on Thursday and sharing a Christmas message with him. The Christmas season is going to bring miracles. I have no doubts about it.

The real miracle is that we were able to add a lot of investigators. We added 5 new investigators. That's the most I've ever added as a Battalion Sister. It was a real miracle. The Lord knew that we were doing the best we could and rewarded us. The people we added are pretty awesome too. One of them is from India. The San Diego Battalion is the most international mission ever! Yep! I'm pretty sure it is. It’s just been a really incredible week. I know that we experience hard times because the Lord wants us to appreciate the good times even more. He is such a blessing to us. Yesterday, I got to use some of the Spanish I've picked up as well. Woohoo! In the past few weeks we've "put on the backburner" a lot of people we were meeting with and we've focused primarily on finding less actives and on getting the members more involved. But this last week we prayed with all of our faith for referrals. When we pray for specific things, we definitely get specific answers. The Lord has blessed us a lot with referrals and some of those referrals have turned into people who are investigating that we can meet with, most of them after finals though. Finals are this week which means that there is a finals breakfast every single day. We're trying to get non members to go like Swagat and a girl named Lisa. We get to go tomorrow. =) After finals everyone will be free! A Christmas/birthday present to me!

Max and a kid named Yoda came to church on Sunday. Ha-ha. They are both super funny. Yoda came with his friend Makani, and they came to the Battalion yesterday and we're meeting with them again tonight. They are just... funny. It’s the best way to describe them. Makani is less active but is forced to go to church because he's living with his aunt and Yoda is not a member. They are exploring ALL religions; reading the Quran and the Torah and the Hindu script. It’s impressive. Our goal is to get them to read the Book of Mormon. But the reason they are so funny is because they want to be Yak's. I'm not even kidding. They want to have a Yak farm. I think that was the single funniest lesson I've ever been in. It was great; spiritual, but also hilarious.

I did get to see most of the Christmas devotional! It was great. The movie clips they showed were awesome.

I got to go on exchanges again with Sister Burden! We're meant to be companions forever, I'm pretty sure, because in every single group (the Battalion is equivalent to a district), we've been together. So we've gotten to go on exchanges a lot, and it’s a party. It’s cool to see how much she has grown and how we can still learn and grow from each other. The mission is the best experience ever. I would never change it for the world. I've become so much more aware of how precious every person on this earth is, how miracles truly happen every day, and how faith brings specific responses.

This work is real, it’s true, and it truly brings happiness. I'm so blessed to be part of it here in San Diego.

I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

Temple Lights

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hey Everyone!

How was Thanksgiving? I got SOO full. I thought I was going to pop the buttons on my pioneer dress. Which is so cool, right? I got to eat Thanksgiving dinner dressed like a protestant pioneer. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity right there and I got to do it! =) Seriously, we were so taken care of on Thanksgiving. The senior institute couple, the Barnes, fed all the "orphans" and they cooked this magnificent meal with turkey and ham (SO good) and yams and real potatoes and we went and ate with them and some stragglers in the ward, and then literally like 30 minutes later we were changed into our pioneer dresses eating Thanksgiving part two put on by the senior couples at the Battalion. My goodness, I literally thought I was going to explode and then I got to go take tours. Ha-ha, it was like lugging around a load of bricks in my stomach but it was so good! Since there were so many leftovers, I've had Thanksgiving dinner every day from Thursday to Sunday. It was pretty awesome! People love missionaries and they love Thanksgiving.

The Barnes are leaving this Friday as they complete their mission. We are so grateful for them and their service towards the ward members and us.

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful lead into the Christmas season. We start by being thankful for all the many blessings we receive and we then get to remember all that Christ did for us. I'm so excited to be on the mission during this Christmas season. I know that there will be miracles, because just like during the black out, hearts will be softened and we have so many tools that we can use to introduce people to the church - including the temple lights that we helped put up! It is so cool, yesterday we drove by the Temple since it’s in our area and half of the lights were on. It’s going to be so pretty, and now for the rest of my life I'm going to be attached to that one tree that I helped decorate, ha-ha.

We had some miracles this last week. We've been praying for referrals, asking for referrals, and doing all we can to find people to teach. The Lord certainly answers prayers. In the last couple of days we've received 7 referrals and now we have the opportunity and blessing to be able to contact them - people who have had contact with missionaries before and actually want what we are giving them. We also were able to find people who are interested, ask intelligent questions, and will read the Book of Mormon. It’s funny because I'm like 10 months into my mission and I feel like I'm finally becoming effective. It might have been a long time coming, but I'm so grateful that I've been able to see the progress and the tools that I was able to use so I can progress and help other people to come unto Christ.

Derek is one of those miracles. He lives at a formers house so we just contacted into him and he is just a really awesome guy. We were talking about repentance and guilt vs. godly sorrow and he looked at me and he said "that sounds right, that feels right" It was a really amazing experience. He'll read the Book of Mormon. He has a 13 year old son and he's a bit too old for the singles ward so we're going to teach him one more time and then pass him off to the 10th ward elders. Max is another one of those people who is just fun to teach. We're praying he'll come to church on Sunday.

Some things I've learned in my Gospel study and with the lesson we had with Hugh is just about how much Heavenly Father loves us and wants to bless us. In Mosiah it talks about how even if we served God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength we would still be unprofitable servants. But he wants to bless us anyway, not because we deserve it but because he loves us and so we should never feel unworthy for blessings. Heavenly Father will bless us with those things that he chooses. Always we should know that we are loved.

Krystin is also leaving the ward and going home to find a job. We'll miss her but she went to church last Sunday! Woohoo! Even though she claims she's bored ha-ha. As she gets involved in the ward in LA she'll be a lot happier. She has a testimony of the Gospel and she knows she has to follow God. She'll be awesome there.

That's pretty much it in my life. One of the coolest things I've discovered for my birthday this year is that I'll be a palindrome for the first time in 11 years! It will last for a whole year! It's so awesome. =) I just love palindromes.

Funny story:  We have district meeting every week, and the zone leaders are late, a lot. So we decided to try an experiment to make district meeting half an hour later at 11. So we were sitting, waiting for the zone leaders and at about 11:20 they walk in. Elder Peck the district leaders says "we'll we've just learned it doesn't matter what time district meeting is, it will still start twenty minutes late." Ha-ha, so we moved district meeting back to 10:30. Heh. Good times. We've also started playing a game called Book of Mormon baseball. So funny. I'll play it with you all when I get back. =) So get practicing!

Anyway! I hope you all have a fantastic week! You are all incredible and I love you so much! =) You are in my prayers!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

Happy Turkey Day!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Greetings!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you have a marvelous time on turkey day with your family and friends.

This last week was great! A really cool part of it was that I got to shake hands with Elder Nelson of the 12 Apostles because he came to the Battalion. It really demonstrated the principle that sacrifice brings forth blessings. Elder Nelson came in the middle of a shift change at the Battalion so the Missionary Sisters who were in the process of guiding a tour had to be relieved. There was only one tour in process and I was the one to relieve them. While I was guiding the tour, I was praying for the tour, for charity, and for peace of mind because I was so sad that I was going to miss seeing and getting to shake Elder Nelson's hand. When I finished the tour, Sister Stallings (a Senior Sister) grabbed me, asked if I'd gotten to see Elder Nelson, and then pushed me towards where he was. So I did get to shake his hands, and because I had to wait until he finished his tour, to meet him, I got to take a picture with him as well!

We also had zone conference today. Zone conference was so good! I have so much respect for my Mission President, President Clayton, and his leaders in the mission. The zone leaders took about an hour to talk to us and they talked about following the Spirit and relying on the Spirit to do all things. It’s so true that with the Spirit we can do all things, but when we're prideful and try to do things our own way the work does not progress at the rate that it should. The Spirit is just so important in everything. Every time President Clayton talks he talks with the Spirit. I love watching him, especially when he listens to other people speak because you can tell that he's going heavenward and listening with the Spirit. I have a lot to learn from his example. I also got a candy bar because we've cleaned our bathroom, vacuumed the floor, did our dishes in the last 24 hours and made my bed. Woot! I'm getting all grown up, ha-ha.

We almost got dropped, then almost dropped again, and then ended up keeping Torino as an investigator. It was definitely an emotional roller coaster. But he still wants to learn and he's willing to keep commitments and progress now. So we are most grateful for that.

We had a miracle yesterday. We knew that this week was going to require miracles and a lot of prayers because we are at the Battalion every single night this week, and nights are the most productive times for finding and teaching people in our area. Also, it’s Thanksgiving, so most of our singles ward members are away at home, but the Lord gave us a miracle. My companion and I were just walking down the street to contact a less active and as we were walking I saw a man that I wanted to give a Mormon Battalion card to, and then I thought to myself "This is ridiculous. Why am I not inviting him to hear more about Christ?" So I did. He listened, took the Book of Mormon, has a return appointment on Saturday, and kept looking at his little baby son, Anthony, with the hope that he can be with his family forever. It was incredible. We're passing him off to the Elders in the family ward, but I know running into him was a tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father.

I am just so grateful to be a missionary. I'm grateful for this opportunity I have to share the Gospel with others, to teach and testify that families can be together forever. This mission has been the best experience on my entire life. I'm grateful for the Atonement and the knowledge and experience that I have so that I know and can testify that the Savior never leaves us alone, that he is willing to forgive us of any sin, no matter how big or small it is, when we confess and forsake it. I am grateful for you, and for your examples and love. I am grateful that I grew up the way I did with the experiences that I have had. I'm grateful for miracles.

I am just so filled with thanks for this Thanksgiving season. I hope you all are too. Keep looking for the tender mercies of the Lord.

I love you so much!

Keep smiling, keep going. You are the best. =)

Love,

Sister Steph

"Pass it on"

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Hey Everyone!

We had two members bring friends to church last week! Miracle.

So! The exciting news from this week is that Anna got baptized! Woohoo! But my goodness, it was a lot more stressful then it had to be, in a really hilarious way. We couldn't get a hold of Anna and we were planning on having her come early, explain more, give her more prep for the baptism and she slept in! So she was AWOL for like 3 hours. That's where faith comes in, right? Ha-ha.  She woke up about 10 minutes before her baptism and everyone was so worried about it, that we had to drive to her house. We had set almost everything up before everything got so stressful but we couldn't do the finishing touches. She showed up when her baptism was supposed to begin and we forgot to bring her a towel O_O hahaha. It’s so funny to look back on it, and embarrassing, but mostly funny. The sad part is that we didn't get any pictures with her in her white clothes. But really the most important thing is that she did get baptized and she has the Gift of the Holy Ghost and everything, everything is in God's hand. My favorite part of the experience was her receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. That part went perfectly. The Spirit was so strong, she was so prepared, so worthy and so ready for it. In her blessing it promised her that she would be OK in China and be a blessing to the people. She already is a blessing to the people there. She shares passages from the Book of Mormon with them and she is a gift to everyone that knows her. I really hope she goes to BYU for grad school.

Funny Story: Other than that, which really was the best part of the week, yesterday was another stressful day of hilarity. An investigator (who isn't even our investigator, or in our ward boundaries) wanted to come to our wards "Thanksgiving feast" since most of the people in the ward will be going home for Thanksgiving. But unfortunately his member friend told him the wrong time (an hour early) and the wrong address. So he called us, and told us that we had put him in "a hard situation" and expected us to fix it. Hahahaha. I think my face was turning red like dads when he's frustrated. We couldn't give him a ride, had NO idea where he was, and don't ride the buses in that area. *laughs* But sacrifice brings forth blessings. When we got to the place where he said he was, he wasn't there. However, it put us right next to a less actives house that we have wanted to visit which was way out of the way. We had a really neat lesson with him. His name is Yorbi. He's a special kid. I hope he ends up coming to institute and to church. He's ready, ready to repent, and start over.

Also, not really too important, but the Thanksgiving meal was incredible. =) My favorite part was obviously the mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce. I'm pretty sure the cranberries were from Massachusetts. =)

This last week we worked a LOT with the members. It’s our goal to individually talk to every single member and commit them to do missionary work in some shape or form. It’s been so fun. I love meeting them and seeing how awesome they are, becoming friends with them, and showing how they can best show their love for there friends by sharing the Gospel with them and letting their friends see that what brings them stability and happiness is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel so lucky to be in this ward. It’s been incredible to hear each of their testimonies and to testify to them as well.

OH! This seems like so long ago! BUT! Obviously I'm still in the La Jolla singles ward AND! Dun, dun, dun, dun! My companion is still Sister Steven's! I get to keep a companion for at least two transfers again! Hurray!! We were so excited! We have our own separate transfer meeting for the Battalion and the new missionaries take a tour while we sisters hear about transfer. They pick two sisters every transfer meeting to give that tour, and those sisters are the ones that are staying together. Well we were just innocently sitting in the transfer meeting, convinced that Sister Stevens was going to go back to Spanish speaking when out of the blue we were told WE would be the ones giving the tour! Best feeling ever! We were grinning from ear to ear. Almost all of the other sisters got changed. Only two or three companionships stayed the same out of the 11 from last transfer and we dropped a companionship. Life is crazy. Life is good. =)

Anyway that's a little snap shot from my week. OH! No, wait! There’s one more thing. We added a former investigator named Collin. Holy cow, he's another one of those investigators who is ready even though he doesn't know it. He plays the guitar better than anyone I've ever met in my life, seriously. A member who is fellowshipping him had us over to dinner with Collin and his family and he told Collin to get out his guitar and play something for us; so crazy, so good.

My spirits are high! I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father.

Have an awesome, possum week!

SMILE!

Sister Tardiff

My 7th Transfer

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Hello!

OK... crazy news of the week; It’s my 7th transfer starting tomorrow! WHAT? The people who have been here for my entire mission at the Battalion site are now gone. We waved goodbye to them as the bus came to drop them off at the airport. It’s really insane how fast the time has flown, and to be perfectly honest I had a nightmare about going home last night. I love you all dearly, but it’s a wonderful thing that I have so much time left.

This last week I would consider it being a week of refiner’s fire so to speak. We were doing everything we could to find people by working with members and meeting with people, but it was like going up against a brick wall. I'll be honest, I was a little bit frustrated, but it’s a good thing that I have Sister Stevens as a companion because she just has so much faith amidst everything and I love her so much for it. It was really incredible too, because when we talked about it, I was able to change my attitude from frustration to faith and endurance. Then miracles started to happen. I've learned a lot about personal attitude in this last week; about how faith and optimism are so incredibly important. I love a song “Walking in Sunshine” from the EFY CD “Courage to Stand Strong.” One of the lines says "Some times we forget how blessed we are. But it’s better when we remember, when we remember" It’s so true! I am so grateful for ALL the blessings that Heavenly Father has given me, and I am especially grateful for this last week because I've learned a lot about myself, and my weaknesses and just how very blessed I am. I just love this work so much! I'm grateful for the people and for the lessons and for church, and fasting. I'm just grateful for everything. I'd never trade it for the world. =D

This morning for companion study, since we're going to be at the Battalion after pday today, we decided to do the whole Battalion story. We were a little rusty because we haven't been there in four days but it was so funny. =) This Battalion and its story are going to be part of me for the rest of my life, and that is something that I am truly grateful for. They did so much because of their faith in Jesus Christ and their love for their Prophet, Brigham Young. I'm excited to give a tour again after four days. =) Bring it on world!

I've had some really good conversations with Sisters recently about the Atonement. The general consensus I've come down to is that we try to be as perfect as we possibly can - and then the rest - that's what the Atonement is for isn't it?

Some awesome things that happened this week: We got to meet with Will again. I swear he's just like Eric! It’s so fun to talk to him and teach him and help him understand what the Gospel is and how it can help him. He also went to the CES Fireside with us with Boyd K. Packer as the speaker and I think that was really good for him and for everyone else who got to watch it. Repentance is such a deep topic.  I'm learning more and more about it every single day.  We also got to teach someone named Maurisio. He's so cool. He has dred locks and everything and he has a deep connection with God and appreciates everything that he learns about God and our message. Also, Anna is just a gem as usual. She told us about how the Book of Mormon answers her questions and her friend’s questions and that she knows it’s from God and then she turned to me and said "Is that what a testimony is? Do I have a testimony?" I just love her so much and I'm so excited for her! It will be a great day indeed when she gets baptized.

My testimony of the Gospel is deepening each and every day. I love studying in the Book of Mormon and studying about Jesus Christ. I know this Gospel is true. I know it with all my heart and I know the Spirit can testify of it to each and every one of us. The Spirit is just a small taste of what Heaven will be like and I'm so grateful for it.

For this Thanksgiving season I want to say five things I'm grateful for every week and I'd love if you would do that too. =)

1) Being able to share the Gospel with others each and every day

2) My family

3) 7 - Eleven hot chocolate

4) Maps

5) Sister Stevens

Well... transfers are tomorrow, so for all we know life could be completely different next week. I'll keep you updated! I'm excited! I know the Lord’s hand is in this work, and everything definitely happens for a reason.

I am so happy! I'm so grateful to be here and I just know that I am having the perfect mission experience for me. Every step along the way is there because it’s exactly how it needs to be done. The Lord is just so perfect, and such a loving Heavenly Father in each of our lives. Sometimes He brings us low, but it’s only so he can lift us higher.

I love you all! Happy November 8th!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

Start of a new day

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Hello!!!

That's so sad that Halloween got cancelled in New England because of the Nor’easter. Also it’s hard to believe that snow is happening right now... because... well... we definitely don't have snow here. Hey. I feel like my blood has warmed up or something because when it gets below 65 I’m FREEZING. I'm not even kidding, shivering and everything. I've become a wimp! I’m sure you're all laughing at me right now, but I am very content here in the 70 degree weather.  =) Did a lot of the trees get blown down? Last I heard the leaves haven't fallen off so I imagine with the snow it probably caused a lot of havoc.

But Halloween here was super fun! At the Battalion since we were all required to be in early at 5:30 and were required to be on shift at the Battalion, we still ended up having a Halloween party. I'm going to send a picture because about six of us used the kazoos that you sent mom, and played "How firm a foundation" hahaha. It was so fun. The Halloween package was a great success! Everyone was so grateful and so happy! The favorite was definitely the Kazoo's and the slap bracelets. =D They say thank you so much, just as I do as well. =) I also gave some of it to ward members and our investigators.

Speaking of investigators, at church it was so cute. People came up to Anna asking if she was visiting and she would respond "Yes, I'm visiting, but I'm getting baptized!" She's so excited! She reminds me of the people in the Book of Mormon who found the Gospel and just want it so much. Also, she finished the Book of Mormon last night. I think she might be my favorite person I've met on the mission. She's just so special.

Other than Anna, this week was decent. One of the other investigators, who I just love a lot, is named Melissa! She has so much real intent, but she also has a lot of questions. That's really what makes the difference in people. When people truly have intent and want to know that it’s true, that's when it makes all the difference, just like that promise in Moroni, if you ask with real intent. I'm excited to be learning from all these people, and to be teaching. I'm excited to keep teaching her.

We are still trying everything and anything to find people to teach. Singles wards are so different from family wards and it’s been a wonderful challenge to really learn how to rely on the ward for help. We've been able to find and teach people who are prepared to hear the Gospel, but we know there is always room for more ideas in finding these people. I just love being with people in this area. I love teaching people my age. It’s been an amazing 5 weeks!

I hope you are all having an awesome week as well! Enjoy the snow!

Well! Sure love you!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! TRICK OR TREAT!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Hey Everyone!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! TRICK OR TREAT!

Have you read the ensign/new era article "Do the Math?" It’s about this rock solid Aaronic priesthood holder who ends up (basically) converting 26 people because he was sick of being the only active Aaronic priesthood holder in his ward. I can't remember if I got that from you Dad, or not, but if you haven't read it, please do. It’s really inspiring. =) Also, I'm really excited for the fast that the ward is doing. That always brings miracles! Didn't they fast before the Perez family and bring in the Marcantano family? That is sweet! I want to suggest that to the ward missionary in my ward. I think that would bring great miracles if it was implemented. =D

How many missionaries are in our ward now, 2, or 2 sharing with Weston 2nd?

I am excited to hear that you'll all be home for Thanksgiving! That will be so fun! Have a fantastic Priscilla Steak and could you possibly send me some!?... I just realized that here in the singles ward most of the singles are going to be home with their families... so we'll just have to find and teach the people who are staying! I'm becoming an investigator/spy here in the La Jolla Singles ward.

So this week was incredible! Well... it might have been a little frustrating at the beginning... but it ended really well! =D We got in contact with Tyler and Jenna (remember those people I met at the funeral with the Elliot’s?) Well I was on exchanges with Sister Burden (We were COMPANIONS AGAIN for the day! Happy day!) and they are in her area so we went and talked to them and they invited us back! It just worked out perfectly! Actually that day was a miracle day because we also contacted a referral, his name is Tin and we invited him to be baptized! Also... we might or might not have gotten into a locked gated community... the things I'm learning on my mission. =) I just know from the bottom of my heart that the Lord’s hand really is in everything. He knew many reasons why I needed to be in San Diego, and I've figured out some of them, but I'm sure some I will never ever know... and that actually just makes it a ton more exciting. =D

So, I'm sure you're all wondering about La Jolla singles though right? Enough about exchanges and the UC 1st!  It has been challenging to figure out how the Singles area works and what strategies do and don’t work. I know the key lies in the members and we've finally figured out at least a little bit to get into their homes and talk to them. Woohoo! It only took 4 weeks, not that bad right? I'm excited to work with them. This ward is really incredible. The number of people at activities is actually rather small though so somehow (probably by working with members) we're going to have to figure out how to buoy up the numbers so that more people stay active.

We are pretty much trying everything that we can think of. We're probably going to set up a booth on Mesa College, and we tried the bus stop contacting thing which is actually how we found Choyi by going to the bus to visit Anna!

How are the missionaries finding people in Weston? Do they have any new ideas that they've tried? I'm always up for trying new things... obviously, ha-ha.

Anna is doing so well! She is so amazing, and teaches me so much. I think I'm going to end up visiting her in China some time after my mission. I hope that's OK with you. She'll be baptized the first week in November I think. =) We added another Chinese investigator as well named Choyi. He is precious. He already considers himself a member of our Church. The language barrier is huge though. I'm learning how to teach really slowly... and very simply...  in order to make sure he understands what he is saying when he says "our Church". The last person of note for this week is named Will. Will reminds me a lot of Eric actually, which means we automatically became friends.  The amazing thing though is that he knows the Church is true, he just has concerns about baptism. I pray and hope for him that he will, because he is ready. So the work is going along nicely here in the La Jolla Singles ward, I don't know if I'll ever want to leave... But I guess that's what it was like in Chula Vista too. We are sent to places because we are meant to be there. I just have so much love for them, and I feel honored to be able to teach people who could, so easily, have been me. It’s a bit of trial and error but I think that was to be expected.

I love you all so much! I feel so blessed to be with you! Thanks for your love and support! You really are amazing examples to me!

Love,

Sister Tardiff

PS HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!