September 6, 2016 - BEcome Happy for the "Small, But Big Things"!

HI YOU!

Are you having a good week? I hope so! And if not, I hope that after this email it will be(: The gospel always cheers us up!!

Well, this week was so fun! I think that it was one of the more unique weeks of my mission because we taught less than I ever have, but the people we are teaching are progressing! And we found other good people to teach as well! SO COOL!

When Sister Tippetts and I were together we were walking out of a dinner appointment and this little boy came up and asked us if we went to church! Haha kids are the best. As we were talking to him the thought entered into my head, "talk with everyone"! I looked back and noticed a lady sitting on the sidewalk. We went up and started talking with her. As we did she told us that she was a member of our church! It had been like 20 some odd years since she had been baptized or been to church. About a year ago she started trying to strengthen her relationship with God and had moved there a few months before. We have been teaching her for the past few weeks and it has been amazing to see and watch her testimony in the restored gospel grow! The more connections she finds to her personal life (and they are everywhere if we look) the more her testimony in Jesus Christ grows! Her and her granddaughter have been to church twice now and J (the granddaughter) LOVES it. She told us that she has noticed us walking around for a while but just didn't ever say anything. She said she would always tell herself, "they will find me!" ISN"T THAT SO COOL? I think it is. I really do know Heavenly Father loves his children and it has been so fun to see her come to believe this the more she prays, reads, attends church, and follows the commandments! I love this family. (this is the same woman I mentioned a few weeks ago (:)

Remember the Washington guy who I mentioned a few weeks ago? Well, for about 10 days he totally fell off the face of the earth. We would call and call and call but no answer. One night, we were calling as always AND HE ANSWERED AGAIN. He has moved to WV and just experienced the worst opposition ever through family and friends, but guess what! HE KNOWS IT IS TRUE. He has prayed and has read the Book of Mormon and been taught by the spirit that it is true. My favorite thing about him is how simple things make him SO HAPPY. The other day he told us that he saw a picture of the temple and the prophet in the same day and it made him feel so good! Haha. We pulled out the scriptures to teach over the phone and he just says in this excited voice, "aH! This is going to be good!" I really enjoy how happy this gospel makes him. I hope we can all follow his example and BEcome happy for the "small, but big things"! He truly loves Jesus Christ! He is excited to be baptized, but is not being encouraged by any loved ones! HE COULD USE PRAYERS. (: 

A few weeks ago we went to teach a woman who comes to teach her Sunday school class but who doesn't come to Sacrament meeting much. We taught about the importance of daily scripture study. At the end of the lesson we asked for a referral. She gave us one to her sister. We tried and tried but no one was home! Well, last night we had an appointment set up with a potential man to teach but he was a single male and we did not end up finding a member to come with us. I really felt that we still needed to go to his house and make a return appointment. I just really wanted to follow the plans we had made BY THE SPIRIT. I trusted that because we prayed and asked the night before for the spirit to help us! And all of our plans were in that area. Long story short, he didn't answer but when we were there I got a prompting to go and try the referral. To our amazement not only she was home, BUT the member who gave us the referral was there AND their other sister from out of state was there. We were obedient and we created a teaching environment. Turns out the out of state sister knew almost nothing about the church or the Book of Mormon. By the end of our visit the sister took a Book of Mormon and was excited to read it and we are going to set up a time to meet with the sister that was a referral (she didn't know her schedule because she travels back and forth to hospitals)! SO the best part in my opinion was the look of pure joy in this sweet members face because her sisters had been taught more about the gospel that she loves! AND she looks at me and says, "Sister Campbell, I have to tell you that I have been doing better on reading my scriptures"! BOOM. PURE HAPPINESS! I GOT SO EXCITED FOR HER! I felt so much joy to know that she felt the happiness that came from reading her scriptures! PEOPLE! READ THE WORD OF GOD (: Don't complain about your day until you have read and prayed! And if you are still complaining, read harder! God loves you and he wants to comfort you and give you guidance and help through your troubles and pains but he can't unless you ask! WHEN WE READ THE SCRIPTURES AND PRAY we are asking him to help! He will!

Remember that I love you (:

Sister Campbell

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

August 29, 2016 - PUSH HARDER (:

The update! I have a new companion. Her name is Sister Allen. She is from Queen Creek, AZ. She is straight out of the MTC!  We are super close in age and we get along well. She is the most proper perfect kind thing ever! So, she has the love and I have the bold. I am hoping she softens me up some (:

Last week: was crazy and we saw miracle after miracle. My favorite part of last week was when I was taught a principle of the gospel in the silliest way.

I really needed to use the restroom but when I went up the door was locked. I tried again and I was confused why it was locked because it had multiple stalls. Whatever. We sat down, ordered food and then I REALLY had to go so we got back up and tried again. Nothing. It still wouldn't open. As I was debating on going to the neighboring restaurant, a lady walked up right behind me AND WALKED RIGHT IN. I was so confused. I walked back up, pushed on the door a little harder, and it opened. In my defense, it was a really heavy door. I laughed at myself all night for that, but when I got thinking I realized a gospel principle: If the doors to miracles aren't opening, it probably isn't the door! It is probably YOU. Push a little harder!

So, yes! My challenge to you is to not blame our lack of blessings on the Lord, but to just push a little harder. Maybe that is having more faith, or maybe that is simply having more action or more power in what we are already doing. Or maybe: it is even in our vision. Are we looking hard enough for them? I think you get my point(: but really people, PUSH HARDER! The doors will open (:

Well, training is good! We love it and we are finding miracles. The last four days have been fun. I feel like everything semi fell through, but we made the most of it and are seeing great things!

I felt ​a lot of pressure this week​ because I watch Sister Allen and realize that I am the only thing she knows! THE ONLY thing she knows. And she has faith that I am an obedient, preach my gospel missionary who will teach her how to be the same. That is a lot of weight! But also a blessing. I have been able to really sift out the qualities I need to improve on and begin that process. I have also been able to teach her about my love for this work. I hope my love for hard work is scrubbing off some of the homesickness she is feeling.

So, just an update on our miracles: The Cooney family (I told you about them a month or so ago) decided that they were not interested in coming back to church or becoming members. It was so hard to watch them make this choice, but it taught me the importance of praying to know that it is true. They experienced family opposition and no matter how much we taught about prayer and bore testimony of the necessity of it, they just didn't pray! I have no doubt that IF they would have received a witness it was true that they would have accessed the power needed to push through that opposition. WE still love them and Sister Tippetts got to go and say goodbye to them.

We are working with a woman (Sister Rhodes) who at first was terrified to open the Book of Mormon but now….SHE LOVES when we come and she HAS BEEN READING AND PRAYING. On transfer day we went to see her right after I picked Sister Allen up. I had planned to teach the Atonement so I prepped her and the member, helped them feel comfortable, and then we got there and we followed up with her reading. She told us that she had back slid. The spirit guided me to throw the lesson and to read with her. I did. And guess what! It was perfect. Sister Allen had no problem with it and even pointed out later in training that she liked that I would change lesson plans if that is what the spirit guided me to do. The member loved it as well and Sister Rhodes got back into her habit of reading and praying. Oh, it gets better! She came to CHURCH. Even better than that she was nervous to be around so many people and wanted to stay close to us, but because we worked our tail off to find a solid member fellowshipper for her she felt comfortable enough to sit with her rather than us. That member even walked her out to her car after sacrament meeting (working on all 3 hours next week) and talked with her. NICE.

President has asked us to focus lots on always finding no matter what!  Long story short, we were out to eat with a member and between the three of us and our invitation to church our waiter came to church! Haha, always finding! (:

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

Fun with members.

Love these sisters!

Sister Allen and I.

Name tag photo (by request for my mom).

August 24, 2016 - Transfer News

No letter came through from Sister Campbell today. The library closed early and she ran out of time. However, this is a bit of information she shared with me before she had to go about transfers this week. 

____________________________________________________________________________

So! Transfer news!

Saturday night we found out that Sister Tippetts was leaving! So, that was our guess but then we had to wait all the way until yesterday night to figure out WHERE. Yikes. Patience is a virtue. Well, she is going to Forest Virginia. It is about 4.5 hours away! She is really excited to be heading on a new adventure. I will really miss her. But I am excited for her(: She is getting one of the coolest Sisters (Sister Brower) who is going home in 1 transfer!

At Zone Conference all of the people with birthdays in the next few months were called up. I went up to get my treat and Sister Salisbury stopped me and said, hey! Did you know that President Salisbury's birthday is on the 21 of August too?! I WAS SO PUMPED. Haha, I have decided that my birthday is on a really good day. So Sunday I got told happy Birthday by many. I had packages arriving from Friday to Monday and it was so great! Everyone took care of me(: (pictures to come). President called us Sunday and I was excited because I thought he was calling to say happy birthday! Well, he was! But, he also asked me to be train a new missionary. And to take the call with enthusiasm. I DID (: So, that is the latest news! I will find out who my companion is tomorrow. Whoever it is, I am excited and I know the Lord wanted us to be together so that we can both learn from each other. I felt overwhelmed last night because I realized that I was probably going to mess up or not do something perfectly. Then I remembered a letter my mom sent me with her testimony about how we are not defined by our mistakes, just how we choose to recover from them. I was reminded that THE ATONEMNET IS REAL. Christ loves us, knows we aren't perfect, and wants to help.

Charleston is beautiful!!

Zone conference with our favorite sisters :)

Elder Scott had an ELEPHANT TIE! We both love elephants too so naturally we had to take a photo.

August 15, 2016 - I SEE GODS HAND (:

Family and Friends!

Update: It is still hot and humid here(: We get "it isn't normally like this" every day. Haha, they joys of coming on my mission the 17th year when the bugs come out and now this! I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I studied the scriptures that I was sent last week. They are in 1 Timothy 4 Where Christ invites us to think about and apply the doctrine we study. I have been trying do that more. The more I live the principles of the gospel, the more I realize who I am living them for and why. Which really, has been the theme of my mission lately. I feel that in the past 6 weeks I have grown more than ever and it was because I decided to have more faith in Jesus Christ. Just in everything I have felt a stronger desire to trust my Savior.

Sister Tippetts and I have been working our tails off. When we stay in the area we don’t waste travel time and we just get to WORK. So, funny story. We went to try someone we used to teach in the area of a member we visit often. He wasn’t home, but his mom gave us three referrals on that same street. Later that week we were out with a member. Right before we hopped out of the car I was reminded to ALWAYS ask for referrals. I turned back around and asked the member who she knew that we could go see. She said she actually did have someone in mind. We called the next morning, got the name and address and it was in the same area. We went and started teaching her! We called to follow up and right at the end of the phone call I got the impression to ask her who else she had in mind. Guess what! SHE HAD ANOTHER PERSON ON HER MIND and they were in the same area. So we went to go contact her. She wasn’t interested, but because we were in the area we stopped to talk to a man and got two more referrals. We have yet to “tract” but we have sure “worked the area”! I find joy in being obedient and a lot of humor in it as well. Sometimes God's blessings come faster than we can process them all!

I have prayed and studied so much lately to become a master teacher of the restoration of the gospel (usually the first message we share). Well, in the past two weeks we found a SOLID family again and then a member brought a friend to us that we got to teach, both of which we found out were out of our area so they are being taught by other missionaries. Haha, I told Sister Tippetts that maybe I should keep in mind how specific I make my prayers! She told me she is going to start praying to be a master teacher of the lessons we teach to new members(;

Despite having to hand those two miracles off, we got a phone call from a man in Washington State getting ready to move here. We instantly shared the first vision and the only thing he could say (as he was crying tears of joy) was WOW! THATS AMAZING. He has been searching for more truth and felt so good when he found it! This gospel is true! He can't wait to be baptized and be given the gift of the holy ghost! He prayed with us for the first time (all of his lessons have been on the phone) and in his prayer he told God that he "was so excited to become a part of his true church". Lately I have been praying with so much faith that we would find people and we have worked so hard! “Have the faith to baptize and remember that without the faith to find, you may never have the opportunity to baptize. Sometimes with that faith, the Lord simply puts them in your path and they find you.” –Just YES. This is what our mission President said to us in his email. I feel like I have seen God’s hand more than ever in this work! This past transfer I have grown leaps and bounds. I decided it was time to give it everything I could and have some faith. I have realized that most of the time I have a problem, it isn’t them, it’s something I could do better. The phrase, "it's not you, it's me" has really come to life!  I feel like I am figuring this work out more and more and they key really is FAITH that leads to action. That is it. The most basic principle.

Because we talked to everyone, we found a lonnng lost member and started teaching her son. He didn’t come to church yesterday (we will get there!) but SHE did! And the speaker spoke on exactly what she wanted to learn more about. God knows his children!

The other night we were leaving the apartment complex to this member. We walked where all of the people were. We said hi to this woman, went and talked to a family we are teaching, and when we came back down, she was still outside. We said hi again. It was almost time to go home for the night. Sister Tippetts got back in the car. As I was getting ready to back her, I just couldn't stand that we didn't talk to the lady more. I went up, told her how I was feeling and she proceeded to get out of the car. We went and talked to her and SHE TOTALLY NEEDED IT. Then, we went back the next night and she invited her boyfriend to listen to us too. Turns out, she has three kids and they are really needing a better life. As we taught them about the gospel last night, you could see their love for each other grow! It was cool. I love that they both "had been" to church, but that the gospel we were teaching wasn't anything they had heard. They didn't know much about what actually went into Jesus suffering for them and they REALLY didn't know about how we can have the opportunity to be sealed together as a family! I love watching people’s desire to follow God's commandments grow as we teach them about the blessings!

Well, there is no challenge in the title because I hope that my testimony is enough to invite you to pray with more faith! GOD IS REAL. HE KNOWS YOU!

I love you(:

Sister Campbell

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

Haha! I love what some things are called over here. For instance: Semi trucks. 

LOOK AT THIS THING! It was huge. I almost stepped on it this morning when I was taking the trash out. Bahaha.

Haha, we practice teaching through role plays. I looked over and she had created a friend to teach and named him. 

Our District.

DID I MENTION DESERT? Hahaha we accumulated this and then were fed chocolate cake at dinner. Hey, at least it is all chocolate(:

Please notice that our beds are still in the living room (: 

August 8, 2016 - BEcome More Tender, Trips to Charleston

HI family and friends!

So, this email is going to be fairly short, but not really. I always say that and then I write a novel. Just too much good stuff. ​

​

Transfers: Aug 25. The chances of me staying are very high. Sister Tippetts spent three months training here and then got me, so she will probably be leaving:( But I am up in the air on what is happening. I just can't make a guess. Haha.

It was a quick week. We taught, and taught, and taught some more. We started teaching this Jr. in high school! He is so cool and when we told him about being able to use power from God to serve those around him he just couldn't stop smiling. He loves to help people.

So, I am loving Teays Valley. We are focusing on establishing SOLID member friends for the people we are teaching. As we have prayed fervently and worked to find them, the Lord has provided. We had a member yesterday come up and say, "Sisters! Tina has been on my mind all week. Are we still going on Tuesday? Can you let me know what we will be teaching? I just feel such a strong connection to her." Then earlier today she texted and told us she is baking bread and bringing dinner for her tomorrow when we go over to teach. Seriously. Missionary work is the best. I have thought so much this week about how essential the gospel we teach is. It isn't just a nice message that enhances lives. It is a necessary message that SAVES lives. I have taught with more enthusiasm this week.

I wish I could keep up with how much I am learning, but I can't. I will share this. I went on an exchange with another Sister this week to the motherland (aka Charleston). Her name is Sister Keller and we instantly got along. I love her. Any who, she taught me much. The one thing I have been focusing on is being tender. Christ is a perfect example of just being so gentle with others. It was a blessing to be with her and learn about this trait because she is so tender!  I am seeing such greater success in the lives of those I am teaching as I become better and more tender. My challenge to you this week is to BEcome more tender. I know it can benefit all walks of life. oh, study it too! Good stuff.

​We went to help with more of the flood victims. MY HEART BREAKS for these humble, faithful people who just always seem to find the good.

These are the Scotts. She is the nurse from the mission. We rode with them to serve. The one thing I am never short of here is extra family. HAHAHA we taught them how to take a selfie. 

We go to take a selfie. Elder Scott: "I don't think you'll be able to get all our heads in there." We show them the picture. Elder Scott: "Woah that's pretty neat. Hey let's take one with mine!"

He proceeds to fumble with his phone to take a selfie on his. Hahaha.

The Scott's are our favorite humans in the world. <3

My favorite thing Elder Scott told me: "You know what coincidences are right? Just the Lord being anonymous." 

Sister Tippetts tells me Saturday night: I am allowing 0 panics tomorrow. Then, all day, she was blessed because of her faith! I know God lives. I know that he works miracles if we only but believe he can work them. 

I am entirely grateful to be out here with him serving his children! 

Life is better than just good (:

Love, Sister Campbell  

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

I found this the other day and couldn't not send it. BAHAHA. I love her. And I loved watching Bible videos with her.

Sister Lee in our study room (:

The Morgantown Sistas! 

Our Sister Training Leaders. LOVE THEM. 

WHEN MOM SENDS YOU A  LETTER and you are reading it for the 5th time at breakfast.

I FINALLY took a good picture. Here we are.

Apparently it is a thing to put stickers on the back of your name tag so kids can see them. Well, I decided to go WV style. HAHA. This place. I grow more and more in love every day.

So, Teays Valley isn't much of a place for any big sight-seeing. We did decide to go to this cute little store today. I love how quiet this place is. It is so peaceful!

 Exchanges with sweet Sister Keller.

August 1, 2016 - BEcome a Pleader With the Lord in Your Trials

SO FAMILY AND FRIENDS! I love you. and I love my mission. I look back each week and sometimes I don't even recognize myself. (internally. I don't eat THAT much chocolate) I remember a day in the MTC where I had a breakdown, YUP. And I wondered if I could do it! There were so many guildlines to follow and I just felt I couldn't be myself. My MTC teacher (a miracle to me from God) calmed my fears and helped me remember that the Lord doesn't expect us to be perfect right now and that the things he asks of us are for our benefit. I LOVE COMMANDMENTS and each invitation the Lord gives us to elevate ourselves.

This week was incredible! My email from last week must not have been as positive as I was feeling, but rest assured, I found the good in it all!  I shared with my mission President that I know that if I am obedient and I love the people that it will come(: Friends is a byproduct, but that also has a promise in it! If we teach them the gospel, love them, and are obedient in doing so….we WILL be friends (: --I saw this come true! WE saw so many miracles and I am feeling MUCH more welcomes.

We have had trails and miracles. It has been a week of pure opposition. So the trials: Sister Tippets has struggled much with talking to strangers (normal) and in missionary work, it is hard to avoid. Especially when you have a comp. who talked with anyone and everyone even from the time she was 5..haha me. Oh have I learned to balance, slow down, love, and pray for understanding. THIS SISTER IS A BEAST. Although it has been incredibly hard for her, she has not quit and has pleaded for strength. Which she has received. She said to me one morning: I pray each day to not feel terrible while I am talking to one person! The Lord has blessed her to feel peace as she talks with strangers. She says to me one morning: "I can't wait to meet my tender mercy today!" She is an example to me and hopefully you that the Lord asks us to do hard things, BUT WE CAN DO THEM. I just keep thinking of how there is always a way provided to accomplish what God asks each of us individually! My challenge to you this week is to BEcome a pleader with the Lord in your trials.

My fav miracle! WE MET A FAMILY. And we did it completely through the spirit. The best part, we have been able to teach them and even though they made sacrifices to come, THEY CAME TO CHURCH. Only to find out they know half the ward. God knows his children, and if we ask, he really does lead us to the ones prepared to hear the gospel! Pray for The Cooneys please(:

I received this little update from Sister Lee on my family that I was able to meet just before I left Morgantown. 

"On Sunday, we went with Sister Tippets to Sister Hill's house to pick

up all the family for church. Sister Hill had a rough night because
one of the boys had been up sick. She was a little distraught but this
wonderful member just started helping her with the boys. Sister
Tippets offered to take the two oldest boys and the baby to church
with her. The mother was exhausted and accepted the invitation for
help. While at church, I watched in awe as the ward took care of these
three boys. I cannot tell you how many people came up to us and
offered to help Sister Hill with anything she needs. They offered to
babysit, clean her house, and fix her car. My heart was full of love
and gratitude for this charitable ward family. The boys loved primary
and learned about, "2,000 warrior guys..." and "a giant castle looking
thing." They were so excited to tell their mom all about the things
they learned at church. Oh how I love my calling. :)

This is so wonderful and makes me so happy!

Well, in a year I will be talking to you face to face! My mission is flying by! As it should. Time flies when you are having fun (: Actually, it flies anyways! WE might as well have fun!

​Love always, Sister Campbell (: ​

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

July 25, 2016 - BEcome a Pioneer

Hi friends and family!

Has your week been as hot as mine? Probably not. It sure is warm here! But hey, The Lords work never ceases (:

Speaking of hot, our AC unit is much of nothing and covers a radius of about 5 feet. Rather than complaining, we just made our living room into a bedroom. We call it our "Hometel"  Haha a mission, on top of all else, has taught me to be self-reliant before complaining to someone else. Thank goodness, right dad? (;

So! My first full week in Teay's Valley was great! I have had a hard time not comparing it to my first area. The work here really does have a whole different set of challenges and strengths. We don't have an abundance of people to teach yet, but we are getting there! We find and find and find some more. (: While I have felt a lot of love for the area, I have not been given the warmest welcome in the world. The last Sister and I were very different (okay, polar opposites) and those we are teaching aren't taking the change well. But! The members have been a saving grace and I have learned to not give up, to do my best and improve my weaknesses. It has gotten better over time(:  

This week in church a sister in the ward (Sister Heywood) gave a talk on the principle of pioneering. She taught us that each one of us should BEcome a pioneer in our own lives. 1. Pioneers know their history and have faith in it. They look to the past and cultivate respect and honor for those who have gone before them and marked the path. (Christ marked our path and we can always look back and strive to increase our faith in his atoning sacrifice)

2. They journey together while marking their own path.

"People survive alone, but they don't establish frontiers alone."  When we see the value in others and strive to develop value in ourselves, we become more willing to serve and work with them. We look around to see Christ in our self and others. Then, at the same time, we strive to walk without comparison on a very personal journey with God! Think about how different every pioneer’s journey was, even if they were on the same trek as others. YOU AND GOD IN A WILDERNESS OF YOUR OWN. That is what God asks each of his children to do (Ether 2:5). This demands faith in every footstep for us.

So, why I am sharing this: I feel like I am in a wilderness of my own right now haha. One that is unfamiliar to all except Christ. I have not had a moment go by where I don't feel alone in what I am doing even though there are people all around me. This feeling has given me the opportunity to really have faith in Christ.  I get to the point I do not have faith that I will see him in every part of my life, but I just have started to expect him! The experiences I have out here continue to aid my strive to confirm my assurance and trust in my savior. I know THIS IS HIS CHURCH AND HIS WORK. I LOVE HIM and I trust him.

I know that pioneering really is a gospel principle. We are all on a journey and we have been asked to push through with faith! Can we pioneer a little more? Work a little harder? Or pray with more faith?

We saw miracles in having the faith to find those really ready to hear our message and to not spend so much time with those who aren't. Sister Tippets doesn't enjoying just talking to every stranger she sees and it is harder for her. I am in awe at how well she just does it anyways. One night I got a prompting to go work an area we haven't been very much. It wasn't easy for her, but she was willing and faithful. THE SECOND house that we tried was the cutest little family. The mom just could not get enough. At everything we taught she just dropped her jaw and said, "no way? That is so cool! I didn't know that!". They were both prepared and open to hearing more.

I LOVE MY MISSION!

Jesus loves you and knows you by name (:

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

Sister Campbell and Sister Tippets, hot and sweaty, but happy serving the Lord!