Are you a Reader?

Since I was in first grade, I have been a fan of reading and an avid quote collector. I truly believe reading helps improve all areas of intelligence and builds your knowledge base more than anything else you could spend your time on. That being said, lately I've been trying to find good reads to help me throughout my mission. After all, what you don't know you can't teach! In General Conference one of my favorite quotes was said by Elder McConkie when he said..

          "You cannot expect the holy ghost to help you remember things you have never read or studied! STUDY. SEARCH. PRAY. As you dedicate yourself the same Holy Ghost who revealed to prophets of old will reveal unto you. The holy ghost will then be able to bring all things to your remembrance in the very hour that you need."

If that isnt insentive enough to get READING than i don't know what is! As I read, i like to highlight and scribble notes in my books and pamphlets to note important things that stick out to me. Kind of like scripture marking. However, i know i will not be able to take every book i own with me on my mission. So I usually go back at the end and re-write my favorite quotations or stories into small journal (I found for $5 at ross) so that i have a collection of inspiring and motivational tidbits to share in the mission field!

Here is a list of books, pamphlets and talks that have inspired me and i hope will do the same for you. Enjoy!

What I Wish I Would Have Known Before My Mission 

John Bytheway

John is a hilarious, motivational speaker for youth. The book is full of good advice and tips. The end has an epilogue of information he thought was valuable to the reader. Such as frequent questions he was asked and answers he has studied up on and wish he would have known.

My Beloved Sisters

Spencer W. Kimball

This book isn't very long but it is especially for sisters. This book helps you better understand your role as a women, even if you already know these things, it gives you insight on how you might share this information with OTHER women, especially while in the mission field. It points out many joys that are worth living for, it is a book full of hope and peace, inspiration and guidance and points out great truths in the divine and important role of women and daughters of God. 

LDS Family Services: Addiction Recovery Program (Book)

LDS Family Services

While reading this you have to keep in mind that there are MANY forms of addictions. This book isn't just meant for one or two of the more 'popular' addictions, but it can help you in almost every aspect of your life. It also gaurentees you to better understand what others are going through and how to help them overcome any struggles or challenges they may be facing. It is full of advice and church council, that EVERYONE can apply to their life.

For The Strength of Youth

LDS (Pamphlet)

DO NOT UNDERMINE the value in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. You may have read it a thousand times, read it again. The simple truths in this book are easy to teach, and to show how they will bless and affect your life immensily by following its teachings. Don't forget to take one of these on your mission with you!

Defending the Church
Wayne D Arnett
(sorry for poor internet quality)
This is a reference guide/pamphlet about defending the church. I wouldn't advise that you rely on 'defense' for teaching, that isn't your calling. However, this book is full of interesting facts about the church that are good to know for your own self.


Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence
Jeffery Holland
(Talk)
I would print this one out and read it. And re read it. And glue it in your journal. And tape it to your wall. This talk is right on key. Take it on your mission with you. Pass it around. Live by it. If you don't read anything else, read this one.

These are a few of my most recent 'reads.' Of course, when you receive your mission call they have a list of books you should bring with you on your mission. Such as the 'True to the Faith' and 'Jesus the Christ' book collection (which you can buy at any local lds book store, such as seagull or Deseret book in a package deal!) As well as your Preach My Gospel, Missionary Prep, Temple Prep and of course The Book of Mormon, Bible, Doctrine & Covenants & Pearl of Great Price.

WOW LOTS OF READING EH?

I haven't yet read ALL of the list of mission required books, but those are for sure flying with me to DC, so i will have eighteen months with 'em. Good luck on your reading! If you find any new inspiring favorites please email me at madison.stucki@myldsmail.net and let me know. Love you all and good luck!

Don't Pass 'Em UP

I've tried this new thing called having an (incredibly) open mind......

IT IS AWESOME.

My mom is reading some weird book, but she told me the basics of it is "To have peace with yourself you must act on all impressions. If you do not act on impressions and continue throughout your day, you will not have peace of mind. Therefore you are puting yourself in a box."

Weird book right? But its true. I'm pretty sure every single person on this earth even YOU gets little impressions throughout the day. "I should do that.." "I should say hi to her.." "I should shoot him a text..." But we ignore them because they are inconvienient or we do not know what will come of it. Well, my track record has turned out great with acting on impressions! Because even if i never know what will come of it... it somehow influences my life. I feel at peace, and it gives me something more to think about.

Impression Numero Uno: Lady walks into PFPV (My Work) She asked when it got cold around here. SOO we talked about weather. I had an impression to ask her where she was from, i shook it off at first, but of course... I could hear my mom telling me YOURE PUTING YOURSELF IN A BOX. Sooo i did. Turns out shes from the glorious east coast SOUTH CAROLINA. Why on earth did she wind up in Utah??? We talked about all the amazing things to explore back east, i told her i was moving to Washington DC here in a couple months. She asked why? I told her for a mission. And for the 6787654567876545678 time i got that look of "Like james bond or...?" So i added, LDS Mission, for my church. You could see her face was a little bit puzzled. But we continued on our conversation. She was really nice and had a family. Nothing more came from my experience in talking with her about the church. But it planted a seed because guess what??? SHE KNOWS WHAT A MORMON MISSIONARY IS NOW. And she left a five dolla tip so holla.

Impression Numero Dos: Sit by the Loud Rowdy Kids in the back of Youth Meeting ;)

Yes. I was asked to speak a little bit to the youth of my ward with the Elders and my dad on sunday. The WHOLE TIME there was this couple boys sitting in the back being so obnoxious. I could hear them laughing and talking and poking at eachother and i was sitting clear in the front! Silly boys... so the next half of the meeting i decided, hey, i'll go sit next to 'em. So i did. And their faces? PRICELESS. (I hope they are reading this hahaha!) There wasn't even room for me so i pulled up a chair as close as i could and smiled at them. I continued to raise my hand and make comments every five minutes or so, because everytime i did, all eyes went to the back corner and the boys all went silent. I even got a few of them to put their phones up in the front and pay attention imagine that??!! I told them they would get something from it. I think they expected candy or something... i meant scriptural knowledge? And at the end of the lesson one of them looked at me and said... "Its blessings isnt it?" I smiled and he rolled his eyes. It was picture perfect. Gotta love them highschool boys getting blessings doncha? It was an awesome lesson. 

Afterwards, i did hold a really good conversation with a couple of them. I told them that it took me til my senior year to realize if you actually LISTEN TO YOUR SEMINARY TEACHER you will gain something. Weird right? They were amazed too. I don't know if i changed their opinion on serving a mission or even listening to seminary. But at least they know that I KNOW the church is true, and that I KNOW how much it has affected my life. Hopefully someday they will feel the same. Goes to show you can be a missionary and example even to the members of your ward! They are awesome (:

Impression Numero Tres: CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL RANCH BBY

So me and my brother... well okay let me start over. MY BROTHER talked me into taking him to CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL RANCH right before it closed last night. So, off we went. We were looking for some new 'Boots' and started talking to this kid that works there. He was a nice kid. And low and behold our topic of conversation turned into missions. I told him where i was going and etc. Said goodbye, didnt even catch his name. Well, this little experience actually turned on me. I think he was the one who had an impression he didn't pass up, and i gained immensly from it. I got a text in the middle of the night, it was from this kid. He mentioned i probably didnt know him and it may be weird that he was sending this, but he felt like he should send me these specific scriptures because they have helped him immensly within the church and in regards of serving a mission. They were right on key, exactly what i needed to hear. How cool is that?

I think what comes around goes around. Pray for experiences. And search them out throughout your day. Don't pass any up! You never know what can come from them, and you never know what you will find in return! Look at the little, simplest of experiences and blessings and apply them to your life. You will see differences in every situation. Its so cool who the Lord will bring into your life sometimes. Gods timing really is perfect. And people, they are awesome. Stay positive and love the little things.

Love you all! Have a fantastic Tuesday!

Sincerely Yours, Sister Madison Paige