GenCon15

We enjoyed relaxing on our p-day where we had done the service clean up

Happy Easter

Wow, it's been a crazy week.

Sister Eddy is now Madeline Eddy to start off. 😱 We dropped her off at Presidents house on Thursday along with tons of other missionaries to fly home on Friday. Crazy how fast time has gone by. I think I'll miss that one. No words. Here are some pictures.

Goodbye... My Friend :)

So... that leaves me running Fort Belvoir by myself. I don't have a companion! President must really trust me. Cool huh?

Jk.
I'm in a trio with Sister Fakatou and Malufau. One is Tongan the other is Hawaiian. They are chill. We are covering both areas (Kingstowne) and mine. So we are super busy and are back and forth a lot. Fortunately the areas are pretty close together.

My first night here I fell asleep pretty quick. But it was super humid and hot and they had both been sick and I picked up their disease. It must have been in the air or something. Seriously like I think I'm going to die. At first I thought it was just allergies but nope it's definitely a cold. Yay. When will I be healthy again? Probably in St. G.

No. But other than that they are pretty "cool." Very chill people as you can see. We have zone teaching this week so I'm kind of nervous that I'll have to teach on something and stinking Sister Eddy isn't here soooo I'm going to force them to help me. Ha. Hahahahaa.

Real transfers are on Thursday so I'll get a companion then and go back to Fort Belvoir. That's pretty much the Biggest news this week. I'm on my 12 week countdown to come home! I'm excited. Watching Sister Eddy pack up and leave made me so stoked. Summer is going to be awesome. I literally come home next transfer.  Hoorah.

It's finally starting to warm up a little here. Birds and flowers are starting to pop out. It's just so windy so we are back and forth between fifty degrees and seventy... blah. Soon it will be real summer. Did you get my package of clothes?

Oh! Before I forget.
DAD: I had been teaching this guy online, on Facebook a month or two ago named ..... We continued answering questions for him via texting and Skype. He lives in Hurricane, Utah and he is in his twenties. We told him the quickest way to get in contact with missionaries in Utah is literally to just go to church and ask the Bishop, or ultimately any member he saw. So he did. Long story short the Elders are teaching him and he is on date to be baptized in April. I think the eighteenth. Who are your missionaries? Do they cover Hurricane? Do they know anything about the Hurricane missionaries or .......? You should ask and find out. I'll probably Skype the baptism when it happens. Cool eh?

Lol of the week:

Chew on grapes instead of chew :) - (Sister Stucki via text)

Lol -(friend)

Does lol mean you agree? - (Sister Stucki via text)

No lol means "laugh out loud" -(friend)

I'm like twenty. I know that. -(Sister Stucki via text)

Oh. Lol. -(friend)

*sighing*


Speaking of quotes
GENERAL CONFERENCE 2015!!!!!!!!!

How was it? What insight did you gain? I hope you took questions to Conference with you and gained new insight and revelation. Considering this was the last General Conference I'll have on my mission... I had plenty of good "home questions" I'M NOT TRUNKY. Here are some of mine!

Mission:

(staying motivated, better leader, learn before I come home, keeping good habits after mission, how to feel successful, remember what I've learned, help others to desire serving?)

"Make sure you have ROOTS.  If you understand the importance and have it engraved deep within you, you will not give up or leave because of offenses, trials, isolation's or whatever." -Oaks

"Belief, faith and testimony are not passive. Keep acting." -Clayton

"We can not be content with mediocrity when excellence is within our reach."

"Missionaries, don't swan dive back into life and spiritual consequences. Don't waste time." -Pearson

Marriage:

(I.E. I had lots of questions about "marriage" and "families" and how to have a happy marriage and happy family. Hopefully these quotes are Self explanatory.)

"True love happens after marriage. True love comes from being sealed together for time and all eternity... when covenants are made and kept love lasts throughout eternity..... " -Packer

"Life without him would not be life! (Mark Twain) ... Don't degrade or put down men for their most important role which is a husband and a father.... Marriage is for a man and a woman. Exact opposites who compliment, suit and complete each other.... Don't compete! Encourage and be happy for each others successes.... Stop and enjoy family time and thank him for the happiness he brings into your home... Don't talk bad about him!... How often do we intentionally speak kind words to each other? Praise, thank, apologize don't be negative and be happy!" -Burton

"Family is the key to eternal happiness." -Perry

"A commitment to family and marriage is number one in priorities." -Perry

"Marriage is more than your love for each other, marriage is from God."-Christofferson

"All those who are capable of eternal marriage, should not put off that day because of worldly pursuits."
-Sitati

God basically said GET MARRIED!

Life:

(careers, schooling, kids, managing time and money effectively, social media)

"Getting sealed to your spouse and having children, sealed for time and all eternity, is the end goal of the church." -Packer

"Our commitment is a test and it's not supposed to be easy. Keep priorities fixed and set." -Oaks

"Social media and technology has changed how we behave. Try visiting church resources and subscribing to church social media and make time to set aside all electronics and digital devices to spend time with family without the distractions." -Tiexera

"Don't fall into the trap of casual commandment keeping. Never get tired of discovering and rediscovering gospel truths. Cherish the spirit. Make it your desire to have it with you always. Be converted." -Cause

"Turn to Christ everything else is just words." -Pearson

People: 

(serve other people, help those you love making poor decisions, blogging, not let old friends or bad habits influence who you've become but still love them?)

"Lift, love, compliment, appreciate." -Burton

"There will always be spiritual light but it is a choice. God doesn't force, he invites." -Clayton

"I can teach you to dance, but you have to hear the music. Dance steps are just the things we do, which takes discipline. But hearing the music is the spirit, the feelings and the joy. DON'T BE AFRAID TO DANCE. Be an example, teach, keep practicing even when it's a struggle."
-Anderson

"There's always those members who seem to know exactly who needs help and how. Seek them out! Heavenly Father knows what you're doing so who else really matters? BE A SHIBLON." -Ringwood

"Fasting and giving fast offerings is how we can help others... When we reach out to someone Christ feels that love. - Eyring

"How to respond to those who have lost their way? Just like the prodigal son parable, you have to love them and sometimes after all you can do just let go, watch and wait. Don't give up, show genuine love. You can't embrace their choices but surely you can embrace them. Have patience. Sometimes they don't know they're lost until they've been found. All of us are really lost, we all need Christs love and atonement. We are really walking the same path home." -Nielsen

Myself:

(confidence, compassion and love, what do I need to work on, what does God expect of me, enjoy living in the moment, get rid of grass is always greener attitude?)

"Don't try to always be right." -Burton

"Don't become involved in materialism. Material things are okay but is that where your heart is?" -Oaks

"We're better off when we have a commitment (or are accountable) and don't just make personal choice." -Perry

"Look to Christ, build foundation, press forward. You can step out of the boat but you have to follow through.... We don't fear God, we fear facing things as they really are. We fear ourselves, what we've really become...we need Christs grace and mercy to overcome. His perfect love casteth out all fear."-Bednar

"A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying. God cares less about who we were and more about who we are becoming. Even if you have been a deliberate, conscious sinner, as soon as you desire to change, you can. It's not the Holy Ghost who tells us were so far gone." -Renlund

"Be too focused to worry about titles or labels or stereotypes." -Ringwood

"Are we on autopilot going through the motions or do we understand? Why is obedience important? Like Paul said shall we do fine in sin and let grace abound? Heaven forbid!" -Uchtdorf

What are the top 3 things I learned in General Conference that will bless my life right now at this time?

#1

Marriage and families are a TOP priority.

#2

We should continually be converting and changing ourselves to become closer to Christ.

#3

Don't let the materialism, people of the world or things of the world drag you down 

or make you change or alter your beliefs or standard of living.

One other cool experience we had this week.
We were sitting in the foyer in the church after an Easter party and this girl walks in to use the restroom then comes out and talks to us and starts asking us questions. Turns out she wasn't a member but her best friend is and is on a mission. We've taught her two lessons. Cool right? How many times does somebody walk into a church building to find the doors are unlocked and three missionaries are chillin' on the couch waiting for you?

Never.

It was awesome.

Also were teaching a girl in the wards friend named B... who wants to get baptized.  She is in high school. She's super cool. She's gonna come ball with us since, these two ball. AND we're gonna jam because we currently have an acoustic guitar and a ukulele. Perks of Hawaiian / Tongan companions.

J. is doing good. Actually he has the same sickness as me. So that happened.

Anyhow.

It's been a good week other than the being sick part. In case you're wondering what Sister Eddy's up to... here is a pick. Blaaaahhhh. Non missionary people. Whatever. Real life Transfers are this Thursday, so I will get my perma companion. yipeeeeeeeeee.

Love you guys, see you in 86 days

Stucki
Sent from my iPad
April 6, 2015

Qualities of an Ideal Fellowshipper

World Bank was so AWESOME

Washington DC Temple Visitors Center

Cool Map on floor

Churches on every corner

There are creatures everywhere

Bullets:
-Sister Eddy goes home on Friday
-I don't know where I will be transfers are next Thursday.  Sorry.
-Can you print and send photos from the last four months please?
-I have 2 transfers left.  
-I sent a package of clothes home. Can you wash them and organize them in a box?
-We had MLC this week.


LOL of the week:

(Sis. Stucki) ~ Did you meet a new friend at church this week? 
~"That lady put her arm around me because she needed more space 
not because she loved me."
(Sis. Stucki) "Oh." *nervous laugh* 


Quote of the week:
Ego.
Your ego is both the good AND the bad things you think about yourself. 
Most of it isn't true. What is true is that if you spend so much time only worrying about yourself, your being egocentric. So stop. -guy at AA mtg


This family was heaven sent.

We have been teaching J.  at a families home for a couple weeks now.  Every time I leave I'm continually amazed at how spot on this family is when it comes to what we as missionaries consider "fellowshipping." What is fellowshipping you might ask? Think of it this way..

Two missionaries...  who are strangers knock on your door and want to present life changing doctrine of Christ to you. You're excited to learn and want to be a part, but everything is foreign to you. You walk into church and see new faces. They talk about new ideas. They live a different way of life. It's like everything else in life, when you move to a new town, when you join a new yoga class, when you go to a new school. 

IT IS DIFFERENT.

The trip is, this is The Church of Jesus Christ. It's important. It's essential. Obviously we want to do as Christ asked us to when he said to love our neighbors, and lift each others burdens. We want everyone to feel comfortable, welcomed and loved. Sadly the two missionaries can't provide this support for a congregation of 3-500 people (both members and those learning about the church) ALONE. Neither can the Bishop, or even all the leaders combined. We need everyone. Everyone has been commissioned to be a missionary, teacher, friend and fellowshipper in the church. 

I've learned more and more about the importance of this. When I get home from my mission I will no longer be a full time missionary. But I can be a member missionary. 
And this means FELLOWSHIPPER.

To everyone. Over the course of my mission I've watched people and began to understand how they are so missionary minded. So I'm just going to walk right through the life and qualities of the ideal "Fellowshipper."

First of all... we are taught that the Lord puts people in the path of his prepared servants. How do we prepare? Well, by doing the basics. Praying. Studying. Attending church. Doing the things we need to do to have spiritual experiences throughout our day. In the General Women's Conference we had this weekend  someone talked about how there are people all around us praying for help, seeking for strength. And God has promised to help them.  We are the ones that need to listen to the promptings and be the "angels" sent to help others. Think about it. How many times in your life has a friend or family member or stranger been a miracle in your own life when you were struggling? Do you believe their help or thoughts was a coincidence? Or do you believe God impressed and inspired them to serve?

As we study, pray and do the simple things to prepare ourselves, God will put prepared people in our path. People seeking for help. We are Gods hands. But we have to show him that he can trust us and that we are prepared! The ideal fellowshipper or member missionary will be lifting themselves spiritually first, so that they will be ready to help others.

I feel like the ideal fellowshipper is selfless. That they really do care about the welfare and well being of other individuals. I believe an ideal fellowshipper is full of charity as well. Charity and love for all of Gods children. Sometimes when we find people seeking help they are at their lowest point. Often times we have to give and give... with no return. Because that's what Christ would do. Somehow it always yields great results, blessings and experience when we loose ourselves in selfless service. 

The ideal fellowshipper needs to put themselves in the shoes of other individuals. We need to remember that not everybody has walked our tracks. Not everybody has the same testimony or conviction as we do. Some people have never missed a Sunday service, some people are attending their first. You simply never know. So when you are teaching, or sharing testimony or speaking DO NOT act as if everyone knows as much as you do. Avoid saying things such as...

"We ALL know the story of Shiblon in the book of Alma 

where he *blah blah blah*"

-seriously like nobody even knows this story especially those who are new to the church 

"OBVIOUSLY we are supposed to be teaching our children about Paul's journey on the road to Damascus and....."

-How was I ever so OBVIOUSLY going to know about this?

"I'm sure you all felt the same way when you were on your missions because.."

-Not everybody has served a mission *gasp*

Also, do not ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever criticize, compare or complain about other church services or religious sects while teaching. AH. This is NOT something the gospel teaches. NOT something all people condone or agree with. And NOT what leaders of the church would do or approve of. I think it's low when churches will teach doctrine against other churches. Because, if your church is true, and right... Why wouldn't you teach the true and right doctrine alone? Without discriminating or putting down anyone else's beliefs. Very rarely have I been in this situation BUT I have heard it. I pride myself in believing at church services we teach the gospel of Christ. We don't teach AGAINST other specific denominations. In fact it's not even talked about. So don't do that. {petPeeves}

The ideal fellowshipper is watchful and aware. How often do you walk into church and see someone sitting alone? How often do you see somebody you do not know? Do you introduce yourself to them? Do you invite them to dinner? Do you ask if they are in need? Now there is the argument of "I'm busy" "I'm not a people person" "I'm shy" oh believe me I KNOW. But let's Remember that when we were baptized we promised to mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort. We ultimately promised to help and serve Gods children all the days of our lives. Easily we can go about our day and ignore or be naive to those suffering around us. I've done that my entire life! But if we are being honest with ourselves, we can do more to go out of our way to seek those who need our helping hand. We have gifts, talents and love we can share. Why aren't we sharing them more often? Everyone is going through something. You simply won't know who until you reach out. And oh that's so selfless and time consuming, and there seems to be no return or instant blessings, but the blessings come in time. They always come in time.

Exchange numbers. Let people know you are there whenever you need them. My favorite thing is when people give out their numbers and check up on each other. It's like sealing the deal as friends right there. And it's nice to know you have people to ask questions to at the click of a button. On the other hand it's so easy to shoot somebody a kind text and wish them a lovely day. When is the last time you texted or called somebody just to tell them you were thinking of them? To encourage them? To compliment them? Or to tell them you admire them? 

Another thing to remember is to PARTICIPATE in lessons and teachings and activities. Participate. Not only does it help the teacher or leader out, but it takes one person to break the ice and everyone else will participate too. And not that only, but everyone has different personalities and likes and dislikes and you never know who you will touch with your advice and experience. In fact, it's crucial to participate to inspire other people.

Serve. serve. serve. Always serve. Do kind things. Drop off a plate of cookies. Invite to dinner. Share an Family Home Evening night with another family. Invite your neighbors over. Compliment somebody. Help someone with their groceries. Offer to clean up their yard. Smile. Listen to them talk.

DO SOMETHING. Do something for somebody else. 

All my life I have felt I was a good Christian for waking up getting dressed going to church, listening, and going home. Never did it occur to me that friends and fellow shipping was important in any way shape or form. I've told myself that it's better to be independent and not rely on anyone. That we go to church to listen and not to make friends.

Idk.

Maybe that's true to some. To some extent. But HONESTLY... We all need people and relationships more that we let on. We ALL do. You have no real idea of what somebody else is going through. Even the people with the most walls, the most stand offish humans on earth need somebody. They just do. And maybe you'll get rejected, so what.

I just feel so strongly that there is so much more we can be doing for other people. To make their lives a little bit easier, a little bit happier. I know for one, I've been so blessed. I've been given so much. What reason do I have not to give back? In big or small ways. I don't believe one big service project covers us all year. I don't think fellow shipping or being selfless is a one time event. I think it's a life style. It's who we are and what we are becoming.

I've found so much joy and fulfillment in serving others.
When all is said and done I really don't think there is a better feeling than serving. Making somebody else besides yourself happy. It's a fulfilling responsibility. 

Really I just want to challenge you, reading this, to be an ideal Fellowshipper TODAY.  To go about your day with a watchful eye. Look for those who could use a helping hand, or simply somebody to talk to. To smile a little more. To serve a little more. To love a little more. Honestly you can make so much of an impact on the life of an individual. So why not?

The purpose of this whole thing... fellow shipping, missionary work, etc. 
Is because the gospel of Christ is important, crucial.

I am so blessed to have the knowledge I do. And many people don't have it. We have the responsibility to help others find it. There is a new video that came out for Easter time. You can find it at www.helives.mormon.org this video is precisely why we do missionary work. So that as an entire world, we can all come together in unity and understanding that the most important knowledge you can have in this earthly existence is that 

HE LIVES

Jesus Christ lives and he is with us always. That no matter what happens here, he lives and loves us. He is our Savior and Redeemer. And with him nothing is impossible. All of our worldly problems and sorrows and negativity can and will be taken away if we let him! We need him. 

And he needs us to be disciples, to be examples, to share this knowledge with the entire world.

"Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? 

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. 

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? 

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. 

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? 

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. 

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

John 21:15-17

"Great blessings come to those who put the Lord's work first in their lives."

Love you.
Don't forget to watch General Conference while seeking for revelation! Bring questions.
Happy Easter!

Sister Stucki
March 30, 2015
Sent from my iPad

Every moment of life is a great opportunity to create an analogy for a church talk.

i got that summa timeee......hamburger

pano's

district of columbia

classic

Kind people bring us treats...

and socks...

frozen potomac

exchanges on exchanges

Remember when my missionary emails actually consisted of days of the week? I thought I would go back to the basics for old times sake. 

Monday: 
I woke up on the bathroom floor from a night that consisted of one hour of sleep because the previous night... I had gotten food poisoning. Yum. It was really quite an eventful night. I made myself a nice little bed on our beautifully disgusting bathroom floor. Sister Eddy walked in, in the middle of the night, and thought she saw a dead body. Pretty hilarious, almost made me throw up on her. What can I say. 

The next morning we got ready and had to jump on the metro to meet one of our investigators in DC for lunch for our Preparation day. I guess that's another first.  I have never popped out of bed after throwing up all night to ride a shaking metro for thirty minutes into a city full of people. Talk about claustrophobia. I did not throw up on anyone though so I figure I am a successful human for having control of my bodily functions.

On a brighter note, our investigator took us to her work which is "World Bank" on the Mall. Forget all your preconceived notions on how lame this job would be.  This place is a party. You go in... get cool ID badges, and the artwork is insane. They have a huge gym, a cafeteria, restaurant, and a gift shop. Awesome. Like idk where they even work because it all just looks like fun and games to me. She said for her lunch break she will grab a bite to eat, go to the gym and then back to work. PAH. Too bad my work didn't have a gym. It was super sweet. It's like a thing.

We also taught this awesome family from Nepal. It was really good.  We taught The Restoration. But background story...  we were practice teaching earlier that morning. Sister Eddy was asking me to practice teach knocking on someones door and how to begin teaching, them letting me in, and going into the restoration. I told her that was unrealistic. So she yelled at me and said,  "I'll show you unrealistic!" 

She climbed underneath her chair and made me teach her there. Blah she's such a drama queen. BUT the hook is... in meetings earlier this week people were talking about whenever they practice teach they meet somebody exactly like how they practice taught. 

So we go tracking and the first door we knock on we teach this guy how to begin teaching, he invites us in, and we start teaching the restoration. As soon as we go in his house he pulls out this moon chair thing kind of like the chairs we have in our apartment.
I looked at Sister Eddy in complete dismay because our practice teaching was coming to life...

We knocked on his door
We taught him how to begin teaching 
He let us in
We started teaching the restoration
He pulls out a chair

HE IS TOTALLY GOING TO CLIMB UNDER IT LIKE WE PRACTICE TAUGHT 
I was like omgosh, the church is true.

But he didn't climb under his chair. He just sat on it. Anyhow. I think my favorite part other then their crazy food and music playing and cool decorations that I'm going to apply to my future home, was the fact that every time we greet them (whether it be hello, goodbye, good evening, blah blah blah) we get to bow and say NAMASTE! Also they make me feel like such a peaceful hippie person. I love Hindus. I think in my next life I'll look more into Hinduism:)

Tuesday: 
I started my hundred day (100) countdown of Reasons Why I love My Mission 

(dont worry, i added the extra 's' to mission. i havent forgotten everythin i learned in highschool. yet.)

It is a great way to have a countdown but not look like I'm trunky on exchanges ;) it was also St. Patrick's Day, my Dads birthday (happy 25th birthday) and our 'special training' with President Riggs about the Book of Mormon and Etc. Well I was super stoked about this because we had a sweet Book of Mormon experience on Sunday, and the other day. Basically the majority of the training was about the importance of the Book of Mormon, why we use it, why we need to use it more, type of thing.

DO YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON?
If you don't you should probably find out ASAP.

Basically the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, pointing us towards him, but with additional knowledge that was forgotten, left out or destroyed throughout many translations of the bible. Because the Book of Mormon was written by people on another continent, on the American continent, whereas the bible was scribed and translated many times in the holy land. 

WHAT? ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF THE SAME SAVIOR THAT CAME TO THE MIDDLE EAST?
Yes, ma'am!

I think the best part of the Book of Mormon, or really any scripture is that it answers questions, of our soul. We can receive answers to prayer through reading Gods word, scripture. There are so many cool things about the Book of Mormon but I'm just going to cut to the chase and tell you 3 stories instead. 
Ah, three, that's a lot, I know, too bad, their all so good.

#1 Josh 
Josh had a lesson with us last week. We had read Alma 36 with him. and Alma 40. He decided to read the chapters in between and found a verse he really loved that spoke to him at the end of Alma 37. He read it to us and we talked about it for a long time. It was about being sober, and not being slothful because of the easiness of the way, to have faith God will guide us.

He came to church for the first time on Sunday. The speakers used lots of Book of Mormon stories that he did not know. I was kind of worried what he was thinking or if he was confused. The very last speaker, at the very end of his talk, was ending it with a scripture that he really loved. He started reading...

"O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; 

for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, 

that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. 

The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, 

yea, see that ye look to God and live. 

Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. 

My son, farewell."

Alma 37:46-47

JOSH'S FACE THOUGH.

he was so excited, like hey! Hey! I know this story! I found this story! This is my story! It was so sick you have no idea. Our whole row (we were all at the previous lesson with him) was cupping our hands over our mouths and were like 

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh! What up."

Such a cool experience for us, him, his fellow shippers. We walked up to the brother (he was a stake council member in a different ward) after the meeting and explained the story to him. His eyes welled up with tears and he was so grateful we let him know. I'm sure he was grateful that he followed the spirit in sharing that specific scripture to help so many people, especially Josh. He loved church.

God is soooo stinkin good.

#2 Teresa
When I first got out on my mission I met Teresa. She was sweet. She was my neighbor. She had many health issues do to alcoholism and drug abuse. She got pregnant and her baby was almost due but he died, she gave birth to a still born baby. She spent her whole life wondering where he was, and felt like it was her fault that he was lost because of her unhealthy habits and addictions. 

When I met Teresa she told us this story in great length and detail and was so upset. It reminded me of when my mom lost her baby. My mom has a great big picture in her room of Jesus Christ holding a little infant baby, the painting referenced a Book of Mormon Chapter, Moroni 8. I told Teresa about this and shared this scripture with her..

"And I am filled with charity... All children are alike unto me; wherefore,

I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation... For behold that all little children are alive in Christ."

It changed her world to know that her baby was okay, that he was happy and safe, that he was not "lost." I remember we gave her that same picture of Jesus Christ holding a little baby and it was framed on her coffee table with a Book of Mormon next to it the entire time I served in Manassas. How much POWER the Book of Mormon has. To bring a person that kind of renewal of hope, and peace and joy.

#3 ME
I was thinking about it the other day and I have a pretty terrible memory. I wish I could remember every spiritual experience I've ever had but it's super hard. So easy to forget. With this whole Book of Mormon training however, fresh on my mind was the importance of it all. I remember saying my nightly prayers one evening and that night my prayers were incredibly longer than usual. I think I was just ranting to God about life as it is ya know? Towards the end I asked just to know that he was there, to remind me that I'm really not alone out here. 
Simple right?
I think we all need that at one time or another.

I didn't really get "an answer"

Or

"A sign"

People always talk about that. I've heard so many stories about people and their signs and what not but nothing really changed for me that night so I went to bed. But as I was laying in bed a scripture popped into my head, it was the same chapter I was reading that morning in my personal study. It was in first Nephi so I didn't really get the whole significance because I usually plow right through first Nephi and don't think about anything. But I reread that specific scripture and it was powerful. 

It said

"Zion hath said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me."

but he will show that he hath not.

For can a woman forget her sucking child, 

that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? 

Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; 

thy walls are continually before me."

1 Nephi 21:14-16

I have often skipped over that verse until this week. What powerful words. 

I will not forget thee

I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands

God answers prayers.
And the scriptures are so profoundly inspired by God.
For us.
Any day.
Any time.

The symbolism and poetry that verse is made up of is beautiful.
I felt silly for thinking "Hey, uh, God, are you there? Because I feel forgotten about down here!"

And to read that.

"I couldn't forget you, your graven into my hands. 

When I hung on the cross. For you."

Wow.
This work, this gospel, GOD, 
Never ceases to amaze me.

Wednesday: 
We went to the temple visitor center with J. & K.  Her car smelt like it was going to blowup so we rode with Josh who claims he's half blind and drove over a median :/ 
It was an adventure. We made it there and back alive. We watched the restoration with them and it was really cool. It has been a while since I've watched that movie and I always forget how much I love it. 

It was Sister Eddy's eighteen month mark.  Officially.  Woohoo. We did service, had district meeting, visited a few people we are working with... the usual.

Thursday: 
We went to this ladies house who lives out in the boooons. She has this sweet property with a house built in the forties (a huge house) and it's all decorated like old school too. It's sweet. She had a "servant" home on her property too. It's just super cool. I should have taken more pictures. I will next time we go out there. We had a fancy little lunch / tea. Whatever you call it. Except we didn't drink tea we drank hot chocolate and ate cucumber sandwiches. 

We went to the visitor center again with B. a recent convert and watched Meet the Mormons and showed him the temple model. Currently there is this big huge model of the temple that shows what the inside looks like in the visitor center. It's pretty sweet and lots of people love to come look at it. 

Hey did you ever see Meet the Mormons? Did you realize Obama is in it? Lolol. 
I bought an Obama shirt in DC on Monday. New fave. Ya like?

This is for Eli :)

We also went to an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting with someone. He goes all the time and so he took us with him.  It was exactly like I imagined, except more inspiring actually. I think everybody should go to one for the experience. There was actually quite a few young professionals there for exposure. But there was a big turnout of people (they have one every hour at this particular place) and it was interesting. I think you should take the kids each to a separate AA meeting. Seriously. Not that I was planning on it, but I'll never lay my hands on an alcoholic beverage after that. It's crazy how it has messed up so many people's lives.  soooo bad. And it all started with one drink.

None the less, Good experience. 

Friday: 
It snowed :l 
I know right. So much for it being the FIRST DAY OF SPRING. It'll come. It'll come. 
I'm planning on beginning to pack up all my winter clothes next week. Like my snow coat, leggings, scarves and etc. And sending them home. I'll probably do it while Sister Eddy is packing her stuff to go home. Also I officially have fourteen weeks left. Weird, eh?

We had Zone leadership meeting in the morning. Weekly planning. Then visited with some less active members of the ward. It was wet and rainy all day. During weekly planning you do this thing called "companion inventory" where you basically, talk about your problems and "communicate." It's actually quite revelatory with Sister Eddy because I actually respect her as a human, and her opinion as a person. So we literally made a list of all my problems (that I claim are problems) and decided whether or not they were things worth changing, and how to change them. It was quite interesting. Another blog post for another day or maybe never. But I got a good list of things to work on, and learned a lot about myself actually.

I also realized that those cliche quotes people post on social media and Pinterest are so irrelevant to life. We think they are so awe inspiring but seriously if you read a quote on Pinterest that says, for example, 

"(Insert cheesy quote)"

That's great. That's inspiring. That sounds like what I need to do with my life. But how? Pinterest is real great at making you realize what you need to change but it is so off point with HOW TO CHANGE. sorry, new paradigm here. It's just.... Man. These quotes. They give no guidance. All my life I've read up on the wrong sources. I've come to realize real life experience, is the best knowledge you can gain. 
And NEWSFLASH GROUNDBREAKING SURPRISE:

the scriptures are just that.
And modern day revelation.
And acting for yourself.
And asking your ancestors and family.

Who knew real world social interaction was actually more beneficial than Pinterest and Twitter.

*shocking*

Saturday: 
Woke up really early, drove out into a forest, created a eco friendly nature loving hiking path connector between two common trails in Lorton, Virginia. We uh, helped this older person group chop down trees and rake and dig and etc etc to make some hiking trails. Also, there are creeks (river) intertwined between the paths so Sister Eddy and I really just played in the mud and carried boulders *ripped* around to make a crossing path for people across the creek (river). 

It was awesome. We're probably going to go back today for preparation day and take pictures because I didn't have my camera last time. AND it was stinking beautiful. And #pants. Either that or were going to do something crazy for Sister Eddy's almost last Pday/18 month mark. Like pierce her ears or something Lolol.

We had a sweet lesson with J. It was at the S. home they are a new family in the ward. They moved here from Utah and are super stinking awesome. It was funny because it was supposed to be at seven but we got a call at six saying he was there so we just decided to do it at six because it got mixed up. We talked about baptism and the Holy Ghost and the blessings and promises that come from both. J. was funny. We talked about how as missionaries we are here to help people prepare for baptism. He said he's ready for it, that he's been searching for the next step. That he has made so much progress and change. And he is now preparing to be baptized on April twenty fifth. *excitement*

Brother S. ran up and got him a white shirt and tie and was so excited. It was cool. We're all excited for J. He's awesome. Also he said he will bring us deer jerky..... He's super into hunting and fishing. Every time he talks about it I think about how proud Dylan and Ethan would be that I participate in these conversations. //undecided feelings

That night we celebrated by kick boxing outside our car and giving up on counting calories by eating pizza rolls and Ben and Jerry's. What a day. What a night.

Sunday: 
My favorite quote from sacrament meeting was by Bishop Blake after expressing his disappointment in not meeting President Obama "My mom raised me well enough to know that everything that happens in your life is a good opportunity to create a good analogy for a church talk."

Also, here's a view from my seat in relief society right now.
It's the Potomac, FYI

THREE MONTHS UNTIL REAL LIVE RIVER SEASON FOR ME

Anyway. This week was grand. I can't believe this is Sister Eddy's last full week in the mission field. It won't be the same old Fort Belvoir without her. I'll miss her dumb jokes and cool facts. I also can't believe that I've come down to this..... 

Three months left in the mission field. I feel like I've been a missionary my entire life. It's bizarre that in thirteen weeks there will be no such thing as metros, escalators, skyscrapers, toll roads, five o clock traffic, African foo foo, Buddhist temples, district meetings, emailing president Riggs, knocking on doors of unknown humans, kickboxing after a baptism invite, watching people you've grown to love change their lives, getting excited about new pass along cards, being called a Mormon nun, people signing up to feed me dinner, getting called Sister Sticky, Snooki, Stuck, Sooki, Stupi, Stoopy. 

There's so much bitter sweet.

I'm excited to see how much you've changed
And how much I've changed
And how much things have changed. 

I hope serving a mission wasn't just an eighteen month event
But something that left a lasting influence and impression
Especially for myself, and my future family,
But other people as well.

I hope you can see and understand a speck of how much I've learned
And how much it's meant to me, so you will have the desire to do the same.

I sure love you guys!
Sister Madison Stucki

Love you guys bye!!!
Sent from my iPad
March 23, 2015