May 23, 2016 – BEcome an AWKWARTUNITY Seeker

Hello friends! I hope that your week has been as good as mine. I LOVE WEST VIRGINIA! Everyone here always asks me what my reaction was to opening this call and I always just say, “well, I kind of forgot it was a state”.  HAHA (: It is true. But all good treasure is hidden well. Because this place is the best.

I am also incredibly grateful for the Lord’s hand in picking out a mission president that was exactly what I needed. This week we had a huge conference and we got to listen to President talk all day! BLESSING. You know it’s good because afterwards you just want to sleep. It is spiritually exhausting to a whole new level. Sister Cook said she always relates it to the part in the Book of Mormon where Lehi casts himself on his bed after his dream. YUP. It is a thing (:

So our friends are progressing in the gospel! I don’t have a name by name update, but we are definitely finding, teaching, and preparing for baptizing here in Morgantown. I have thought a lot about how much I JUST LOVE this place. I remember being here one of the first nights wondering if this was ever going to feel remotely comfortable…and now I have just as much family here as I do back home. It really does just take effort. When we choose to just get at it whenever we start something new: we come to love it quicker! I have truly learned the importance in never wasting time in just doing the rightest thing, having the best attitude, or working the hardest we can. WE WILL NEVER REGRET THAT. 

Friends: I hope that all of you know this by now, but I am Awkward. Always have been, always will be (: I say hi when it is probably not socially acceptable and do things pretty out of the ordinary. When I came on a mission I thought I had mastered being awkward: well, that was a rude awakening. Missionary work takes awkward TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. The saying I picked up for a long time was: “missionary work is awkward”. It was the best way I knew to be positive about all of the incredibly abnormal things we do from day to day, but the other day someone explained to me that EVERY AWKWARD SITUATION LEADS TO AN OPPORTUNITY—an AWKWARTUNITY (: HA. I have pondered on this so much this week and it is incredibly true. Everything we think may be semi awkward turns into an opportunity to defy the norm and beat the odds. See someone next to you at a park bench? Talk to them. Will it be awkward: OF COURSE, but it is an opportunity!!!

I hope you are catching the vision I am. (:  I know this church is true and that as we find more hope in this life, which includes finding all the optimism we can, then we can discover all of the peace our Father has to offer (:

Well, my time is up. I talked to my mom for way too long today. I sure do love her (:

P.S. I think emailing will be Tuesday next week.

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

I went on exchanges in Fairmont this week and it was too good to be true. That place is gorgeous. We stopped to take a picture by the bridge. I have an obsession with bridges and they have them ALL over here. I am in love with this place!

This is Sister Cook. She is a HUGE tender mercy on my mission. She is my sister training leader so this is who I hung out with on Friday and Saturday. She has only been out for 6 months but she is an INCREDIBLE missionary (:

There are deer in this picture in the top corner. FURRY THINGS ARE EVERYWHERE here!

Bishops wife took us out to play tennis this morning. SHE WAS SO GOOD. She is the funniest lady. We love her. I played easy, but it was the first time I have done anything SPORTY without my brace. Progress!

There is so much humidity here it is CRAZZY. My hair is so curly that I can braid it and it will hold without a hair tie.

May 16, 2016 – BEcome Reliant

Was this week a week or was this week a week?

This week we ate dinner at a home and we were accidentally fed some slightly pink chicken. OOPS. Sister Lee and I were sick for a few days this week. Whether the chicken just destroyed our immune systems and helped us catch the flu or we got a little bit of food poisoning we are not sure. I will tell you this though, bodies are necessary for missionary work and it made me realize how important taking care of our bodies is. Hahaha. We laughed so hard about this story though and we were thankful we both felt like no fun together.

Even though we had a slow start to the week WE DID NOT let it stop us. We had an incredible week and we saw so many miracles. Shirley came to church again. We stopped by her house early on in the week and asked her what she was up to. She replied" Oh notin, just getting ready for church on Sunday"! HAHA I love this woman and I love the transformation I have seen the gospel make to her life. If she wasn't already the best, now she is.)  and JOHN came to church.

So John is a miracle in himself and is an example of why we talk to EVERY human that we see. Sister Cutler and I were out on Easter. I remember our dinner appointment cancelled on that day and I was having a rough time. I really missed home and just wanted to be with my family. Nevertheless, we worked hard and talked to everyone we saw. John was outside so we approached him. We ended up teaching him and inviting him to read the Book of Mormon.

GUESS WHAT. We kept going back, but no answer. So anyhow, a little bit ago Sister Lee and I got a text out of the blue: "Hey, I read your book and I liked it, John" MIRACLE!

We tried to set up a time to meet but nothing. We ended up taking one of the most incredible members who I could write a whole email about, Sister Morgan. So we got to John’s house and his friend said he was busy, but we asked if we could talk to him anyways. (he wasn't all that busy cause he talked to us) We followed up with his reading and he said that he liked it but he didn't know if it was true. Sister Morgan, just as bold and strong as she could, replies, "WELL, DID YOU PRAY ABOUT IT?" Hahahahaha, we were in shock. This was her first time ever out with the missionaries and she took no time to waste. It was perfect and hit John so strong. He asked about church and came. Please pray for John that he will continue to come and love it. He is amazing.

We got in contact with JESSIE. Yes, and we are pumped. I cannot even tell you how many prayers we have said over this woman. I didn't know that we had the wrong number, but for the past two months I have texted and called and members have done the same, but nothing. The Lord is incredible. He knows his sheep ad he knows the right timing.

So. I have a confession. I am probably THAT annoying sister missionary that asks way too many questions that I could figure out on my own: hold up. I know I am, but I am thankful I have been humbled enough to realize my weakness. My poor district leader asks me every week, "I don't know Sister Campbell, What do YOU think?". Ah. It has been frustrating, but this week it hit me. I need to be wiser in relying less on those around me and less on my own knowledge. I need to be reliant on Christ. In district meeting we read a part in the introduction that says that many of our questions will be answered through study, prayer, and keeping the commandments. I have to admit. My heart was hard to this and I thought, "yeah right!" but wow, is it true. This week I have learned more than ever that personal revelation--our very own personal guidance comes THROUGH the HOLY GHOST as we worship our Father in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. God, if we let him, will guide us and lead us to make correct decisions and choices.

I know, and I testify that this life is for us to EXPERIENCE THE VITALITY OF PERSONAL, CONSTANT, GUIDANCE FROM GOD. This came to me as I was writing in my journal one day. At first I only had personal and constant, but as I pondered I was taught that SINGLE needs to be added. We are to understand how we can become reliant on Christ and nothing! else. So, my challenge to you: become Reliant -and do it constantly, singly, and personally. Change one thing today that will get you there. This is an ongoing process (:

I love you family! Have a good week.

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

May 9, 2016 – Nevertheles

WHAT?

My weekly email doesn't have a Become next to it?

I KNOW. Weird for me too, but this week I learned about the word Nevertheless and I just wanted it to be simple.

So, Lately I have had this question about WHY I have so much joy on my mission. At times it is hard, I miss home, I feel alone, and I am tired….YET NONE OF THAT EVEN MATTERS.

As we were teaching yesterday in church we were reading about our life after death and how the Righteous will have rest from their cares and troubles NEVERTHELESS they are doing the Lords work. For some reason, that one sentence just answered so many questions for me. I know that because I went to church the questions that were on my mind (not just the one I mentioned) were answered.

This one line from an entire lesson taught me why I can feel so trouble and care free.

Everything I have been studying these last few weeks has been about blessings and how each one is the effect of obedience to one of God's commandments. WHEN WE OBEY GOD HE BLESSES US.

So, I decided that because I had such a cool experience, I wanted everyone at home to too this week. I thought I needed to study it more, so I decided I would try to find another Nevertheless. I found one and studied it. After, I realized it was in 1 Nephi 1. HAHA that didn't take me long at all (:

So my challenge to you is to find a NEVERTHELESS in the scriptures this week and to study what goes before and what goes after. And then let me know what you find. I am interested to see what you get out of it(:

Well Family and Friends: We have had a great week. I wish I could call you every week because I am much better at talking than I am typing..but I am getting better (:

I am thankful for ALL OF YOU and the support that you give to me. LOVE YOU.

-- 

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

So Sister Lund has this really pretty lake. We had a few minutes of dinner left so we went down and took a nice picture for ya mom for Mothers Day. I am a little awkward, but I hope ya like em (:

This is Tiara and Alex! They are INCREDIBLE and have so much faith.

It is so green and beautiful here!

May 2, 2016 – BEcome a Creator of Your Circumstances

Well family and friends, I hope that you are all having a wonderful week and that it has been as nice there as it has been here! We have had a lot of thunderstorms and rainy days and I am actually a SUPER big fan.

I got a new companion this week! It has been an adjustment, but we are both loving it (: I can’t even tell ya how many times people do a double take after she tells them where she is from! They look at me and say, “Wait! Where are you from??” Good stuff I tell ya, good stuff.

Update on Sister Cutler: She loves her new area. I miss her like crazy, but I know she is doing great things. I teased her so much that she was going to go to the back woods: hahaha she did! So apparently Morgantown is kind of a whole different world than most of the mission. I have decided to soak up my “city life” while I can.

Morgantown is just on fire right now. We have so much work that is progressing. We are teaching a lot and we have found a few very solid families lately which is so great! An update on the story from “the teal house” last week: We taught them again this week! These people are incredible. It turns out that many people in the ward know them. It feels like everything is just slowly falling into place.

I have thought a lot this week about what it means to be a successful missionary and how I can really reach my potential. In a letter I was sent I was given a thought by Elder Ballard. In the letter there was a phrase this week which was EXACTLY what I needed: it said” Become a creator of circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances”. So often we find ourselves making excuses, but I have learned this week more than ever that it is not our circumstances that make us successful. It is our attitudes! So today I leave you with just that:

BEcome a creator of your circumstances!

Sorry that the email home is short today. I will do better at hurrying quicker next week! Well I love you all! Have a good week and remember that God knows everything that you are going through. And he is eagerly waiting to help (: Prayer, humans..it is the KEY to a happy day!!

--

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

It was SO hard to say goodbye to her. She said that she loves her new area and that it is very different and I would get a good laugh.

BLACKFOOT TAKES OVER MORGANTOWN. That is right people of Blackfoot. You now have two natives serving in Morgantown! Haha for some reason it never registered that Sister Lee was out here, but as soon as I saw her I was like: “WAIT! YOU LOOK FAMILIAR” haha awkward. 

I also burnt my rice and thought it was funny because Sis Cutler did the same thing a while back and I made so much fun of her. Oops. Hahaha, it is easier than it sounds. 

April 26, 2016 – BEcome Solid

“It looks like more mountain and less people for Sister Cutler” -from Will after we told him where she was going Bahahhahaha

Hello Family and friends! I won’t waste any time in telling you the exciting news of transfers!

Sister Cutler is no longer my companion after tomorrow. Crazy thing is…..she is moving JUST DOWN THE ROAD to Buchannon, or something like that. She is still in the same stake which means she will have been in the Clarksburg stake for more than half of her mission. Haha, kind of unheard of, but she sure does beat the odds. Her fortune cookie that she got this week at lunch with a member told her she was going South. Little did we know she would only be going a little tiny bit South. She is opening up a new Sister Training Leader area and missed being my training leader by like one area.

Annnd drummroollll please: my new companion is: Sister Lee! Fun fact. No one knows who she is or anything about her HA! So anti-climactic.

I am excited though! She will be great. I am ready and willing to work hard and love her with all my heart. I know that Sister Cutler is sad to leave, but she will do incredible as a sister training leader. And I am a little bit anxious to take over, but I know that the Lord will help me. I never knew a companion would turn into one of my closest friends, but she has. I feel so blessed to have been trained by her. I remember praying so hard in the MTC that I would have a trainer that would help me reach my potential as a missionary and she has done that. This area, Sister Lee, and I will be standing on her shoulders.

Our area is EXPLODING.

We have found some great families that we are teaching and are planning to teach. One of these soon to be families came after one of the longest hours of my whole life. Last week right after dinner we headed out into a neighborhood that we haven't been in hardly at all. We knew someone was prepared in this area. We had planned to go see "the teal house" first because we had both had our eye on it for forever. We went and knocked. We could see people inside, but no one answered. We walked up and around the hill to go and try some other houses. We could see the backyard from where we were and there were so many people home, and people that saw us. We talked to everyone we saw and bore testimony frequently, but nothing was coming. I remember walking up the hill and Sister Cutler looking at her watch and saying, "It has only been FIVE minutes!" I thought she was kidding because it seemed like 30. We kept trying people and worked hard to be diligent and find the prepared person in the area. Our time was up and we still hadn't found anyone. We walked back to the car and just before we got in, I stared at the house with the teal and the people outside. I got the feeling to go back! We had already knocked, seen them in their backyard, and then said hi on our way back to the car. How awkward that would be. I looked up and Sister Cutler wasn't getting in the car either. She asked something to the effect of, "You think we should go back too?" Long story short - This man’s names is Scott. I have never met someone who has a more sincere desire to know there is a God. He lived in Las Vegas and "tried the whole Mormon thing" but never actually read the Book of Mormon or prayed.

I wish I could tell you everything I learned from this experience, but it would take so long. What I learned the most though: That we NEVER stop working hard and if we have faith the Lord will lead us to the prepared….HE WILL. Sometimes the biggest blessings come after the hardest times. I know that hour was long and that Satan did all he could to discourage us from finding that family, but we had faith and it overcame the power of the devil.

We were also thanked by Scott, in prayer, for being persistent. It has been a long time coming, but we finally got thanked for it(: Haha, It only took 3 months.

This week I have focused on my testimony. Sister Cutler’s strength is that she can bear testimony and whip gospel knowledge out anywhere, anytime. I haven’t had to work on this much because I have crutched myself and relied on her a lot of the time. I realized that I can talk to someone no problem, but that I, yes ME, actually get nervous when sharing my testimony at times. I have prayed hard to have help in solidifying what I know and being able to share it. As I have asked the Lord to help me do this, he has poured out his truth to me!

I challenge each of you this week to Become Solid! Solid in what you know to be true to the point that you can share it simply and with conviction (: I can promise that it makes all of the difference.
--

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission 

We both like tootsie rolls--we are literally the same human! 

Sister Huff, one of our favorite member friends.

Our friend Ruth. 

The Prince family. I will forever be friends with them.

Notice: Our wallpaper may be worse than Jenni’s orange kitchen.

April 18, 2016 – BEcome Adjustable

Wow! WHAT a week! Seriously though. So many miracles. (:

This week was great! Last week was hard because I felt very discouraged after having a few rough days and feeling that I was doing almost everything wrong. I just let it feed my fire this week and let it motivate me to work hard. I learned that we really do determine our attitude and there is never a reason to have a bad one. My challenge to you this week is to find an area of your life where you may not have the best attitude and to adjust it. BEcome adjustable. The more we adjust our attitudes for the better, the more success we have! I know this to be true, and I also know that when we ask for Christ’s help in these adjustments, we improve ourselves so much quicker than we ever could on our own.

We made it a goal to focus on asking others for names of people to go and share our message with by asking “who do you know?” Instead of “do you know?” and WOW. The way that we ask a question, even if it is just one word can make so much of a difference. I have thought a lot about what I could do to take what I have learned and apply it in other areas of my missionary work. I am going to try and focus on thinking about specific questions that will bring bigger results in myself and those I teach (more repentance) this week.

Also, Jane Tanton, our friend who doesn’t come to church often anymore, QUIT COFFEE. The best part, that has brought so much light and change into her life. Jane never plans for us and this last week, we made a time and SHE PUT US ON HER CALENDAR. AHHHH (: Yep. She did it! We had a hot coca party with her in the 78 degree weather and we were hot, but she planned for it and remembered we were coming.

We had Shirley and Nick and Jared, three of our friends, attend church this week! WOOOHOOO. I have not had one investigator in a sacrament meeting my whole time here. The joy I felt for them was great. Church is the perfect place and fit for everybody to increase their faith and deepen their discipleship. Shirley was one of the first people I met on my mission and she just barely came to church. Her coming was not as easy as one invitation or one phone call, but it was 3 full months of prayers, studying, teaching, activities, meeting members, and so much more. I think I found so much joy in her being there, as well as Nick and Jared, because she and my companion and I and members all had to work so hard to get her there! HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION PAY OFF. I learned that we never stop trying and we never give up on someone. Even when it is frustrating or it seems like they are not making progression, they are.

Jessie is still good, I hope! We haven’t had much contact with her lately. It breaks my little heart, but I know that she is strong. PLEASE keep her in your prayers.

So something funny: I have friends that call their remotes changers here. Hahaha. I don’t know why I enjoy it so much, but I do (:

Shout out to Thomas for being done with USUSA and Joycee and Seth on their games this week. Also, does someone still tickle Connor with the tickle guy?

Oh! And our new Bishop! And our old one! They are both amazing (:

-- -----------

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission 

Hot Chocolate party. My face hurt so bad from smiling so much after seeing her! 

Handstands. We are highly entertained by each other. 

April 11, 2016 – BEcome Resourceful

Family and Friends!

I always get so caught up in emailing I always forget about his email! I know it is a semi mass of an email/blog post but I want all of you to know that I appreciate the support and the love that you give me so much. I am convinced that I know the best humans on the planet(: I hope and pray that this email does more than just update you about my life, but that it helps you and inspires you to think about Christ more (:

Well, this week was super. Sister Cutler and I had so many very well planned out days this week. We were excited for everything that was going to happen. The two days I was looking forward to the most in particular just wrecked. Nothing went as planned, but somehow they turned out even better than we had planned! My testimony grew in the fact that God really does consecrate our efforts. If we do all we can to obey him and what he has asked us to do, our lives won't turn out the way we want them too, they will turn out even better (:

​So anyone who knows me (all of you reading this) are going to laugh really hard at this email. So please just be prepared. This week I was awakened to the fact that I am not the easiest person to approach, to correct, or to have a conversation with when we don't agree. I have thought a TON about this this week and I have had such a desire to change this quality. This morning I was studying and pondering about what I could do to change it. I thought for a while about how I could change it. I came up with some good ideas on my own, but then I remembered thinking about what president tells us: "we study from Preach My Gospel daily." (our book that helps us (aka all members of the church(;) with missionary work.) So I hurried and grabbed my book. I opened to chapter 6 which talks about Christ like attributes and how to develop them. My question of how to become more humble and less stubborn was answered. (: I love that all I did was simply turn to a resource that I have been commanded to use and that I saw such a huge blessing SO quickly.

This was all because I decided to be resourceful rather than just using my ideas. I am sure we all have questions of how we can become better and they are all so different. My challenge to you this week is to become resourceful! Let's use the incredible resources our prophets and apostles give us and command us to use! Maybe it is paying more attention in church, attending seminary more ready to learn, using the Ensign, listening to conference, reading our scriptures (This one is one of my favorites) personally and with others each day or something else that God has given us! The resources we are given will help us to become more Christ-like quicker than what we can do on our own (:

Sister Cutler and I were in Zone meeting (there were a lot of people there) and the thought came to mind that she could leave me in a few weeks. I knew I liked her, but I didn't know I liked her enough to start bawling in the middle of the closing song. Haha, well, it's true, I do. This sister is INCREDIBLE and she knows how to be a missionary. She has become one of my best friends. Leaving her will be like leaving home all over again! We find out soon abut transfers. P.S. In two weeks preparation day will be on a Tuesday instead of a Monday because of transfers. I’m most likely staying. (: Thank goodness. I like Morgantown!

Mom sent me an email today and reminded me that I have almost been out for ONE SIXTH of my mission! It really hit me. This mission if a flying by. I am so thankful for all of the support and love (:

Well, that is all for today! I know it is quick. I am working on a Q and A about some of the things I have been asked in past letters and emails. If you would like to add to it, let me know (: or my mumsy know!

-- -----------

Sister Justina Campbell

West Virginia Charleston Mission

This is our good friend Jane. We are working hard to help her come back to church more frequently. Her personality reminds me of grandma Nette so much. 

This is all of the sisters in our Zone. We went to five guys after Zone Meeting and having Interviews. We have a funny group. Shout out to Sister Flake and Robinson (Kiah’s roommate). They have to ride bikes for FOUR DAYS while their car gets fixed. This is NOT a bicycle friendly town. Troopers I tell ya. 

For Sister Cutler’s 7 month celebration we got some gelato and came home to find LETTERS (: We love getting letters.