Sister Sarah Owsley: July 2018

Homecoming/ Farewell Talk

Good Afternoon brothers and sisters. I am so glad that I get to be here with all of you today to give a homecoming and farewell talk. Doing both these things at once is a new experience for me and I’m sure for you too. But it is beneficial for me because you guys have no expectations.

First off, I would like to share with you about my time as a full time proselyting missionary. I absolutely loved my time in the MTC. It was uplifting, spiritual, fun, busy, hard, and for me it was also a trial. When you hear a homecoming talk you usually get to hear all of the amazing experiences that missionary had out in the field, and not about their time in the MTC which was far behind them. But for me as my time as a proselyting missionary was short, you get to hear about the amazing Missionary Training Center. I want to give you all a little overview of a day at the MTC, every day was not like this and other missionaries had different schedules. But here is what it looked like for me, wake up at 6:30am and get ready, have a planning session with your companion going over the day’s activities. Then breakfast! After you go straight to class which is 3 hours long. Then back to the cafeteria for lunch. After lunch, we usually did personal study, companion study and then we would have work out time, following that we would have dinner around 4:30 after which we would have another class from 6-9. At 9pm we would go back to our residence and get settled for the night write in our journal and go to bed at 10:30. Our days were busy, but going through the motion of the days and passing through the weeks I knew that this schedule was inspired and everything just worked.

There are so many incredible things that I learned, it was hard to narrow it down to just a few of my favorites to share with you today.

Something that I have noticed looking back at all of my notes and reflecting on everything I learned is that everything relates to the MTC theme which is “Become as He is”. This theme is everyone’s goal, to become like our brother Jesus Christ. I would like to share with you 3 examples of ways I learned this.

The First day in the MTC is just about the Longest Day Ever, yet I got there at 1:30 pm. As I walked from classes to workshops I couldn’t even count the amount of times other missionaries would say “Welcome to the MTC” or would offer advice – This may be because the new missionaries wear a bright orange dot on their name tag ~~(that may or may not be named a dork dot~~) and they got bombarded with similar encouragement when it was their first day, nevertheless I felt so happy and loved walking around getting lost. Even throughout my time there the amount of people who are there to help and who want to help you is incredible. Whether it be teachers, leaders or most importantly other missionaries, everyone, if they know it or not shows an immense amount of Christ like love.

I had an amazing district who taught me so much. During out first district meeting we talked about this theme. We thought of and talked about different ways that we can become like the Savior through teaching his Gospel. The Savior taught through parables, by example and my favorite by service. Every Sunday we come up with a district goal. And one week it was to serve, specifically your companion. In that week, I saw every Elder and Sister in my district try their hardest to accomplish that goal. I would find Sisters when their companion would step out of the room to go to the bathroom rush over to their bed and make it for them, I would see Elders bringing their companion their favorite dessert after a meal, And I saw my companion serve me so faithfully by writing me notes and buying me chocolate when I would have a hard day.

I had the wonderful opportunity of being at the MTC during the New mission president’s conference. This meant that for my first Sunday Night devotional we got to have 11 of the 12 apostles attend. We had the opportunity to hear from Elder Quentin L. Cook. He spoke about the 4 Loves for missionaries. Love your companion, the people you are called to serve, your mission president and his wife and most important Love the Lord Jesus Christ. He said this statement that stuck out to me, “When missionaries are more interested in their own progress, they will not have the same spiritual experience. We need to serve and focus on our investigators needs.” Looking back through this devotional this was my favorite thing I wrote down because although it is directed to missionaries it still applies perfectly to me and to all members as well, if you change just a few words. “When members are more interested in their own progress, they will not have the same spiritual experience. We need to serve, focus on (and I would add love) others.” This is the great commandment to Love others! And of course, how perfect that it all relates back to the MTC theme to “Become as He is” Do you think Jesus Christ was ever focused on his personal progression? No. In 3 Nephi 17: 5-9 it says, 5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ^ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with ^acompassion towards you.

7 Have ye any that are ^asick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or ^bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will ^cheal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your ^afaith is ^bsufficient that I should heal you.

9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their ^ablind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

Jesus Christ Loved and served others he focused on their needs rather than his own. To Become more like Christ, we need to Love, serve and minister to others.

So, to the big question of why am I here? Starting the 2^nd day of being in the MTC, I experienced depression, and throughout my entire stay it just kept getting worse and worse. There would be times when I would stare off and not be able to move, when I couldn’t physically or mentally get out of bed. It was hard and it was something that I have never experienced before. Before I had some anxiety, but I knew how to help myself when I would start getting anxious. But this was completely new for me. Right after that 2^nd day and talking to my branch president that night I immediately got an appointment with a counselor who was the biggest help for me as I tried to figure out this depression. I met with her and a doctor regularly trying to help me get better. During the end of my first full week I was told that I needed to stay 2 weeks longer in the MTC, this was so I could be more closely monitored as I had just started a new medication. This was very difficult for me when I first heard it, I was originally so excited that I only had to stay at the MTC for 3 weeks and that I would be leaving with my companion going to the field together. After I had some time to process this I knew that it was what I needed to do and that although it was a bump in the road this was what the Lord would want me to do. To take care of myself before going out and teaching his gospel.

As we all know that was a bump in the road before I took a complete detour. The day my whole district left to go out into the field I was having yet another bad day. Towards the end of this day after talking to my counselor, doctor, branch president and dad assessing that I was still declining and not getting better like I should have been, I decided that It was best that I come home to get all of this figured out, so here I am.

There were so many things that helped me get through my hard times in the MTC. One particular day I remember being so overwhelmed and that day I studied so hard during my personal study. I read Ether 12:27 and from that point on I tried to make this verse my kind of anthem for myself. Ether 12:27 reads… 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

After reading this verse I wrote down this statement for myself and on the top of this page I wrote in a big box “Always remember these things” the statement says, “I came unto the lord my becoming a missionary. He showed me my weakness that I am going through here at the MTC (depression). He gave this to me so I can be Humble before the Lord. Because of Christ’s grace I can become Humble. When I continually become Humble before the Lord and have Faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, He will make my weaknesses strength. And that gives me Hope”. I love that word HOPE. Hope means to have a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. While I was in Utah this past week I got a new ring that says Hope and the date that I entered the MTC. I know that no matter what trials we go through, no matter how hard life can be, whether we are having a good day or a just not feeling it, no matter what, there is hope. This gospel brings us So much hope. In this little book that I read when I got home about making it through the hard-middle moments of life it says: “If you are in a middle moment, if a dark cloud hangs over your heavy heart, if your mind is filled with worry, know this ‘You cannot sink farther than Jesus Christ can reach. I bear testimony that as long as there is one spark of the will to reach, he is there”. There is hope in this gospel because we have Jesus Christ, who is the Savior and redeemer of the World he suffered for each one of us. He loves each one of us and is here to help us return back to our Father in Heaven.

Coming home and being heartbroken that I didn’t get to serve in Omaha and finish my mission, I decided to talk to others like Alex Baker and Elder Bramwell to hear what this Service Mission is about. I decided that this is the what I want and The Lord wants me to be doing. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be serving a church service mission. Although I may be nervous because I don’t yet know all that I will be doing, I do know that I am excited to be able to continue my mission as I serve others here in San Diego.

Although it is hard for me to remember sometimes, I know that God is in control of our lives. I know with my whole heart that this church is true. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation, the Perfect plan of Happiness, that gives me direction and hope. I am grateful for temples and the sacred and beautiful ordinances that happen there, that families can be together for eternity. I am grateful for Jesus Christ’s Atoning sacrifice for me, that he knows exactly what I am going through. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who, helped me get through so many hard times through small and simple tender mercies, Weather it was through singing my favorite song or putting people like the McBeth’s and Hunters in my path in the MTC just when I needed that extra boost. I am grateful for this gospel and am so excited to serve the Lord as I serve others. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen

So first i should start with a subject line explanation. The Provo temple is closed all of July for renovation, our district was chosen to help clean is what they told us, but it was more like moving furniture and ripping out carpet which was satisfying.

This week we had a great devotional. It was with Sister Cottam and she was head of the committee for planning and doing all of the murals for the new buildings here at the MTC (which are amazing BTW). Her devotional was all about being ourselves on our mission. She made us all write down what we were/ who we are (like sarcastic ummm yeah thats all I got haha) and then told us to circle some of the attributes that we want to keep with us on our missions. It was so awesome and a good reminder to be true to who I am.

This week not going to lie has also been rough for me. But with all that I have been going through I have been so incredibly blessed with an amazing branch president (and wife), mission president (and wife), district, and teachers who all care so much and who are literally always there for me and are willing to help me in all the trials I have been facing.

I was finally able to have a good day yesterday and I was so grateful to be able to feel the spirit multiple times. The 3 main times were during class, personal and companion study. Each one of those times we were talking about the Book of Mormon, the word of God. I am so incredibly grateful for the Book of Mormon and how much guidance it can give. One of my favorite scriptures on this topic is 2 Nephi 32:3 I encourage all of you to go and read it, and to find a small way to appreciate or learn more about the Book of Mormon. It clicked for me the other day when reading this verse. For me I receive answers to my prayers when a random hymn pops into my head and it always gives me so much peace or when part of a scripture pops into my head also making me feel better and ready to handle a difficult task.

I am so grateful to be here in the MTC and absolutely love everything I learn. I hope you all have had a great week and are enjoying the heat back at home!

love,

Sister Owsley

P.S. Utah is crazy on the 4th fireworks never stop going off, also disappointed with the stadium of fire, firework ending not nearly as cool as grape day park haha.

P.S.S. Funny moment of the week our TRC (investigator) is from australia so she has a sick accent we were leaving and she was expressing to sister Tuala and I how she is super protective of us and she let us know that if anyone is mean to us she will kill them in the crouch for us. Haha it was so funny our teacher was also in our lesson and we laughed for a solid 20 minutes after.

1.our district with teachers

2. 4th with the sisters and all the decorations our moms sent us

3. 4th with our district president the Garlics

4. This one is for you dad

5 & 6. The sisters :)