June 5, 2017 – Become a Disciple That Will Go the Extra Mile (:

My favorites (: 

Brother Mackey was baptized and confirmed this week! My favorite color is pure white. It is everyone's best color…I am telling ya (: So, we planned his service fairly quickly and we focused on having the right people be involved. It all worked out to have those people be able to participate in the service. The actual baptismal service was an adventure. They got in the font BUT IT WAS DRAINING. sooo.. good thing our ward mission leader is an x pro football player because he was in a solid squat as he baptized brother Mackey, ha. The spirit was strong as brother Mackey was baptized and his nerves went away--you could just tell because the spirit was present like never before. We asked brother Mackey to bear his testimony. At first, when we asked him a few weeks ago, he was like noooo way. But then slowly, he decided he would. I loved his pure testimony. He proceeded to bear his testimony about Heavenly Father with one of his analogies and then testified that he believed everything he read was one hundred percent true. And then he stops and says.. no.. two hundred percent true. (: That felt good. Haha so his confirmation yesterday was crazy because he was almost late –bless his heart (we all have weaknesses). We confirmed that he was coming, but then church started and he wasn't there. AHH!!!! He told us he was on his way. So, we sing the hymn but it was the shortest hymn in the book I kid you not. So, this sweet little old man gets up and I just say, God, please make this the longest prayer possible. Sister Wavers told me after she was heart praying the same thing hahah. Well, our prayers were answered cause this man prayed and prayed and PRAYED. As we kept praying, he kept praying. So, shout out to you great grandpa Calvin because I learned to appreciate long prayers (; right after the prayer Brother Mackey came in, sat down and then had to pop right up again so he could go be confirmed. He made sure he shook every single man’s hand after- he is a stellar member (:

We were on a leadership call with president the other day and at the end of the call he told us that he was going to say the prayer. I realized that I think this is the only time I have ever heard him pray. Wow! This man is called of God and he loves us and this mission. The things he prayed for were spot on and they ran through my mind all day. They are still doing so. It was a great example to me of prayers with faith behind them.

Yesterday we parked the car in the nearest parking lot instead of driving right up to our appointment. As we were walking there, there was one man (there is hardly ever anyone outside walking there) walking. We turned around and started talking to him. Guess what? He is looking for a church(: It was a reminder to me that Miracles are in the extra mile, extra smile, or extra sacrifice. We need to give up our will to God’s and be willing to give all we have, not just what is comfortable or easy to give. Become a disciple that will go the extra mile (:

HEY! I love y’all. I know that through Jesus Christ we can be delivered from all…even the tiny everyday things are easier when we involve Him through prayer, study, worship, gratitude, and forgiveness (:

I LOVE MY CALLING (:

Sister Campbell 

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

 

May 29, 2017 – BEcome More like Him (Jesus Christ) Each Day (:

My favorites (:

We had a week for the story book for sure!

Happy Memorial day(: We got to go to this event put on by the city today. I enjoyed being there with my neighbors and friends (everyone starts to know everyone even after 3 months here) to remember and thank so many! Something the speaker said struck me. He said- "if we are going to continue to be the land of the free…we need to continue to be the home of the brave." Freedom -whether it be our country or from the chains of the devil does not come without brave soldiers. People who understand their purpose enough to give their lives up for it. 

I was thinking- If not death or full time for a period of time, I hope we are all giving up a small part of ourselves to BEcome more like Him (Jesus Christ) each day. (: 

I feel like the less time you have on your mission the more people ask you when you go home. I get it at least 10 more times a day than normal. Or maybe it just feels like that. 

We are teaching this couple and their daughter. They are a fun little family with many challenges cause life and Satan, but they have great hearts. We got to their lesson and she had literally taught herself the entire restored gospel. I was shocked at how much they knew and their questions were very inspired. They are very interested in coming to know it is true, but people are so focused on outside resources and creating our own ways rather than just doing the simple things we have been asked to do. We taught them about the importance of reading the Book of Mormon and asking God if it is true. On missions we don't use google but in non missionary life I did. It made me think about how often I would turn to a tool like the internet or a friend or my parents before I would turn to the Lord. Here, if I don't know how to do something or I need information, I ask God first. I pray! I think sometimes we forget that our technology is a tool that we turn to AFTER going to God in prayer(: It isn't ask of google- it is ask of God. And, if needs be, he guides us to use the right tool which could be google. 

When we were walking back to where our car was parked, I saw a shopping cart so I decided since were were walking the same way I would return it.. HA. It was quite literally the loudest and most obnoxious noise ever. Shopping carts and sidewalks don't make a good team, but hey at least we were seen and doing a good deed while being seen, haha! 

We had a mission leadership council meeting Tuesday. President's last one and my last one. President texted us to tell us that there was a huge accident (we haven't gotten an update yet on the people:(  right on the interstate that we needed to use to get from Lexington to Charleston (3 hour drive there and another 3 hours back seeing that all goes smoothly). I panicked a little bit because I am the absolute worst with directions and I was the co-driver….so it was mostly on me to figure out how to get us there. President gave us these really long detailed instructions and told us not to do anything differently. He said if we followed his directions, we would get there only 40 minutes later than usual. I looked on the GPS and I saw so many other routes we could take. He told us no and to go the way he said - through this pretty mountain pass in the middle of no where haha. We decided that he knew best and we would follow to a T his directions. Sister Wevers said she said an extra prayer asking God that we would arrive there on semi time and in one piece.  We followed every one of his directions and we got there (: We got there and I realized not everyone was there.  There were many missionaries that accidentally took the wrong way- the way I thought we should go- and got stuck in a whole bunch of messes with traffic from the wreck and I think even another detour. I was SO grateful that we had listened to our mission president and not my idea. President had the biggest grin on his face when we walked in and later he told us that he was thankful we listened to him. He was so pleased with that choice. He saw around the corners and he knew how to keep us safe and how to get us there with the least amount of problems. It didn't seem that way…I will admit it actually sounded a bit crazy when I looked at the map and all of the other ways we could have gone, but he knew best. My desire to follow the prophets and the apostles was enhanced. I felt the spirit witness to me that these men speak the will of God and that I should follow their counsel the same way I followed President Salisbury's directions- with exactness. It took time and effort to understand his directions…same with the prophets. We have to not just read or listen to the prophet’s words, but we need to STUDY AND APPLY them to our lives. I know their words will be what makes sure we return to our desired destination of our heavenly home (: It was a temporal experience, but it helped my testimony grow incredibly. During the closing song in MLC I could not stop crying. I realized it was my last missionary meeting in a big group setting. I was comforted by the spirit that there is a time and a season for everything and that good things won't come to an end. 

We were out working this week and we decided to work around the area where we had tried someone. We walked to the very end of the street and outside there was a dad and his daughter. He and his wife are catholic and he told us, "I actually know I really need to read the Book of Mormon!" That felt good(: I have a good feeling about him. They go out of town for a week but you best believe we will be seeing them soon(: 

I got to go on exchanges with Sister McHan this week. She is an incredible missionary. I came out with her last Jan(:  I have always wanted to serve around her so this was a blessing. We had some good laughs and brought a trash can to a lesson (cause object lessons work). We taught about how the sacrament each week for us is like garbage day. We weekly have an opportunity to have our sins taken from us rather than stinking up or piling up.  I asked her how she can always focus on the other person and not be focused on fearing men or what they think of her. She told me that she tells herself, "it's not about you". I have been trying it and it works so well. It reminds me of who the most important person is--the one right in front of me.  Sister Zaugg is her companion and she turned 20 so we celebrated (: Shout out to you! 

We are working suuuper hard with the people we are teaching and so are they(: I love repentance and the joy it brings to others. 

I LOVE MY CALLING (: 

And I love you! 

Sister Campbell

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

May 22, 2017 – BEcome Truly Converted to a Part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ That You Desire to Strengthen Your Testimony In

My favorites! 

This week was a roller coaster, but all good things and we are seeing others become converted left and right. WE LOVE IT. There is no greater feeling than walking into church with a friend and watching them participate in the ordinance of the sacrament for the first time in over 35 years(: No greater gift! 

So funny story, Yesterday sister Waddoups fed us dinner and made a whole pan of Texas sheet cake and sent us with the WHOLE THING to give out to people. Who knew cake was such a good way to contact people and help them feel loved? WE talked to a lot of our friends and got 3 appointments set up. Creativity at work, haha! 

We went out with a girl who has recently returned from her mission. We went to teach a very Baptist man who could not wrap his head around the blessing of a modern-day prophet. It was quite the lesson. Anyhow, we got out of the lesson and the member that was with us said something that really hit me. It was her first time being out with the missionaries since her mission. She told us that being a member and being a missionary was VERY different. During the lesson, she had so many thoughts run through her head, but she felt the spirit often during the lesson asking her to not speak. She felt the spirit testify to her that Sister Wevers and I were set apart and called to testify. The more I thought about that, the more I realized how blessed I am to teach people this message! There is no other job or experience like it. 

Sooo. SHOUT OUT TO THE KASMERS ( you know who you are) because I finally served with that Hawaiian companion I have always wanted. Even if it was only for a day. Now the back story to this. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted a Hawaiian companion. Like SOOO bad. So, when I found out I was training again I thought for sure she was going to be Hawaiian. I got Sister Zaugg who is totally not that, but she is great(: The Kasmers are some members I got close to in Cotton Hill. When I told them I wanted a Hawaiian companion they were sure I was never gonna get one cause there aren't many in the mission. BUUT dreams do come true cause I went on exchanges with Sister Fonua (: #dreambig 

During the exchange, we focused on prayer and on tweaking, not throwing our ideas out. Sister Fonua taught me many good things! The most important thing she taught me was that missionary work is supposed to be enjoyable all of the time. She had the best attitude about everything. She also taught me that if you put eggs in Ramen noodles it makes them taste better. I hate ramen noodles, but she offered to make me some for breakfast and I had never tried it so I always try it once, haha. 

On occasion, I will stop to think about how abnormal what I am doing is. How unique and personal our message is. And then thoughts rush into my head of why I know that what I am doing is God's work. We were driving one day this week and a song came on that was talking about the Book of Mormon and the history of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I still remember the part in the song where I was listening closely and all of a sudden I got goosebumps from my head to the last part of my toes. I felt so happy and I felt peace. I felt that the world stopped for a moment as I remembered that what I know is true. And I felt a moment of courage. I felt that I had the faith to be obedient to what God had asked me to do. I am grateful for the confirmation that I received of the truthfulness of Jesus Christ and His church. These experiences can happen often (they will be different for all of us) if we are looking and they help us to stay truly converted as we use them to fuel our obedience and faith. My goal this week is to seek for an opportunity to BEcome truly converted to a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ that you desire to strengthen your testimony in. Pray for that opportunity and work for it! 

We also taught Bryan the law of tithing using animal crackers (thanks Brother Barney) this week and it connected for him. I am being stretched as a missionary right now because we are teaching many progressing people but they are all on much different levels and they all learn differently. We have had to totally rely on the spirit as we teach. We taught Bryan about the importance of service and then at the end of the lesson he asked Sister Wevers and I if there were any needs in our family and if he could pray for them. He is loving the gospel and despite his 12-year-old type setbacks, he is really doing well. Love that kid! His mom isn't in the picture and I feel the women of the ward have helped him to feel nurtured and loved. Such a blessing. 

Visiting the members of our congregation is our new favorite thing. I have never felt more purposeful on my whole mission. We love teaching short lessons to members and helping them share the gospel! We reach A LOT of people that way. 

​I got to make my fort this week! The convincing worked(:  We celebrated sister Wevers’ year mark. I am so proud of her. She is a good buddy to have and we never have a dull day or a dull dish. We cook a lot of good food cause she teaches me how(: All I can make is chocolate chip pancakes, haha! She is strong and she pushes through. 

WELL! Pray for us. We have got some gooooood things happening here(:

I LOVE my calling so much! 

Sister Campbell

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission