Are You Still Alive?

Are You Still Alive?

This is the question we silently ask our baby girl when we realize she has been asleep for 7 hours straight. 8 hours. 9 hours. Indeed, she decided to give us the gift of sleep that night by herself sleeping. "Is she sleeping through the night?" Is the number one (and sometimes ONLY) question we get asked now. Since I guess it is apparently a burning question, the answer is, "Sometimes." But there's a more important question.

Are You Still Alive?

This is the question I ask my husband after a long day of work. I married a superstar. He jumps right into parenting after his workday, and even though I am no longer working he still gets up with me in the middle of the night to help feed her. He is the definition of teamwork, and I am so grateful to have him by my side. He is the better parent, too, although he would argue that.

Are You Still Alive?

The question I ask myself every day. Am I making it? The answer is always yes, and I'm sure I don't give myself enough credit. As a recovering PPA (Post Partum Anxiety) momma, I'm trying to be kind to myself and remember that Baby is healthy and happy. I can't believe we made it through three months with this little turkey. She simultaneously drives us nuts and makes us crack up laughing. We love her quirks and her budding personality. Since I haven't really posted much of anything since she was born, here are a few recent highlights.

Our photographer came back, and this time we got some great shots with our Hosanna Rae.

 

Zanna got to meet more of her family, including her Grandpa Dave (not to be confused with her great-Grandpa Dave, whom she also met) on the weekend of her baby blessing, October 9. 

My mom came into town for 2.5 weeks to watch Zanna while I went back to work.

Zanna-doo's first Halloween as a pumpkin.

Zanna's new favorite hobby: walks with daddy. Especially because he bundles her up so cute.

 

 

Our new conclusion that Z should basically wear yellow every day.

Zanna "meeting" her Auntie Janae (Scott's sister):

And Zanna filling our home with her first source of music: her adorable giggle. (See Scott's Instagram/Facebook post today with the proof).

Are You Still Alive?

Yes we are still alive, and we are doing okay. It hasn't gotten too much easier, but it's gotten a lot better. 

Being 25

What is it like to be 25?

Well, it's only been a few hours, so I actually have no idea, but I'm sure it's not too different from being 24.

First, you're now a perfect square. Something that only happens when you're also 2, 4, 8, 16, 36, 49, etc. (Trivia tip--this is one of the reasons why Scott and I each chose 16 for our favorite number. Precious.)

Second, you are a quarter of a century. If nothing else, that just makes you SOUND official. Like you can finally be taken seriously.

Third, you are at a transitory period in your life. Kudos to you if you have a stable job, home, and family....But most of you are probably still painting your canvas, and you are far from knowing your subject. This has been unsettling. But it has also been a source of childlike joy. You feel almost like you're 7 again, deciding you want to be an astronaut, a bestselling author, and famous basketball star all at once (only slightly less dramatic career choices). You may feel jaded about the education you've completed, wondering why it doesn't pay as well as you had planned. (Maybe you SHOULD have studied astrophysics so you could be halfway to the moon now, instead of a $10.50/hour job.)

Fourth, you begin to think a lot of existential questions, like "Where did I come from?" "Where did I go?" "Where did I come from, Cotton-Eyed Joe?" haha I crack myself UP.
No–there really are lots of existential questions plaguing your mind. But I can't think of any right now. Maybe you can give some examples in the comments.

Fifth, you may have experienced a slight shift in how fitness affects your body. I'm not saying you it's all downhill from here, just that you might have to adjust your workout regime. Example:

My days of running AS FAST AS I CAN may be over....

Sixth, you probably have an established hairdo that doesn't change too much. (I will give you a nickel if you catch me on a day when my hair is NOT in a ponytail/bun. On my hair's honor.) 

Seventh, when you visit your mom and didn't bring pajamas, you don't care too much that this is all she has for you to wear:

Eighth, you still haven't used algebra. 

wanelo.com 

Ninth, you get picky about the music you listen to/purchase. Katy Perry candy pop and all those weird Alt-Rock albums from your high school angst years don't make the cut anymore. 

Tenth, You're either more confident in your political views than before, or even more confused. (Or a little bit of both.)

Eleventh, #Wanderlust. Forget the 7 Wonders of the World, I'd just love to see a different state license plate cut me off on the freeway sometime soon. 

Twelfth, you probably own less stuff than you ever have or ever will the rest of your life after moving a billion times. (Possibly related: you also know that not all roommates are created equally.)

Thirteenth, this:

Fourteenth, sleep is a glorious, GLORIOUS thing.  And so are earplugs. 

Fifteenth, sometimes days are like this:

And sometimes, they are like this:

Sixteenth, you think you know all there is to know about being a good driver. And that you are one.

I have to stop the list here because 16 is my favorite number, and I can't think of 25 things about being 25. So to all who have already turned 25, how did I do? 

Here's to another trip around the sun! 

And there's no one I'd rather do it with than my partner-in-crime-pajamas husband. 

So This is Love: Today

Today (February 8, 2015) marks our 6-month anniversary! So how is marriage going? Where are we right now?

Well, this is Scott right now:

He's all tuckered out from a full weekend of Vocal Point shenanigans. I'm working two jobs until he graduates in April from BYU.  Despite our hectic lives, we have made a lot of fun memories:

Hiking the Y and reading each other's Patriarchal blessings. Great newlywed FHE idea!

Going to the Ogden temple open house.

Packing lunches for each other.

Adding a new member to our family (Meet Franklin)

Holding our first niece, Claire Alyse Shattuck.

Going to Lagoon during Halloween with tickets I won at work.

Dressing up as Emmet and Wyld Style for Halloween with costume we made ourselves! 

Deciding that I really liked having dark hair and deciding to make it permanent.


Putting up our first Christmas tree :)

First Presidency Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center.

Our first Christmas! Christmas aprons!

Baking what turned out to be the most DISGUSTING cookies I've ever eaten.

Getting Lil' Miss back after a week and a half at the car shop - which I may/may not have just wrecked again LAST NIGHT.

Guys....marriage isn't a cake walk. It is definitely filled with challenges. But it is filled even more with laughter, love, and joy, and has been the most rewarding six months of my life. 

Rycee: Whaddya think, should we try for another 6 months?

Scott: Eh, why not!

Rycee: OK! :D

Hope From an Old Newspaper

Do you know that part in movies...

where the character is reading a dictionary or watching TV, and suddenly something is personally directed to him/her? Some guy on TV says, "I like your red shirt, Joe," or "Someone's at your door, Mary," or something creepy like that?

This just happened to me!!

I was reading through old newspapers for work and stopped short at this little paragraph that came out of nowhere:

If you can't read the text very well, this is what it says: 

"The Path of Life. --Don't be discouraged if, in the outset of life, things do not go smoothly. It seldom happens that the hopes we cherish for the future are realized. The path of life, in the prospect, appears smooth and level; but when we come to travel it, we find it all up hill, and generally rough enough. The journey is a laborious one; and whether poor or wealthy, high or low, we shall find it to our disappointment, if we have built on any other calculation. To endure it with as much cheerfulness as possible, and to elbow your way through the great crowd; 'hoping for little, yet striving for much,' is, perhaps, the best plan." 

I looked up. Is this a prank? I thought. God, is that You? I know that it's from the St. Louis Daily Evening Gazette on May 3, 1844.  But it seemed to be addressed directly to me. 

There is only one phrase that I disagree with: "hoping for little, yet striving for much." If you are not hoping for much then you are not believing in much....basically you are leaning towards "hopeless" rather than "hopeful."

Hope is a Christlike Attribute. To quote Preach My Gospel, 

"When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement (PMG, p. 117)."

I think the article does not mean to say Be hopeless with low expectations and a glass half-empty. It means that we should not expect life to be perfect, smooth-running, and void of trials; and be put-out when something happens, that your situation is absolutely unfair. Trials are going to come, and if we expect differently, we are disillusioned! What matters is how we choose to act when these situations come. 

Especially when they come often. 

Or all at once.

And since my blog seems to be a confession fiesta, I'll admit that Hope is one of my weakest Christlike Attributes. So maybe you can help me out....what do you do to increase your hope? What do you Hope for?

I cannot end without asserting that our true source of Hope is our Lord, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement. I may struggle with Hope from time to time, but I do have a firm hope that I will one day live with my Heavenly Father again, and my Savior and Redeemer made it possible. 

Some testimonies I love about trials and hope (Click ONE to read/listen to right now!)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - "Lord, I Believe"

President Thomas S. Monson - "Be of Good Cheer"

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - "The Hope of God's Light"

Elder Neil L. Andersen - "Trial of Your Faith"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland again - "Like a Broken Vessel"

Finding "Joy" in The JOurneY

Do you want to be happy?

Then read the Book of Mormon.

My mission president's wife, Ranae McKee, once counseled the people in Tennessee that The Book of Mormon is the "how-to be happy."

In June when I was still a missionary, I put her statement to the test by beginning a topic study of the Book of Mormon. I decorated my copy in happy yellow scrapbook paper and titled it, "Peace and Joy: How to Be Happy." I have learned so much already, and I am only halfway through!

Being back from my mission for 2 months, I realize that we tend to forget a simple truth that LDS missionaries teach every day:

This hung on our wall on my mission.

And did you ever notice that you can literally find "J-o-y" in the word "Journey?" Neat, huh!

This is a sample of what I have learned in 280 pages:

• The word "Joy" is used 79x, which is once almost every 3 pages!
• That includes 2 chapters that have it 8x (can you guess which chapters?)
• That does not include the dozens of times the words "rejoice," "happy," "cheer," and "delight" appear. 
• Gratitude makes you happy
• The entire purpose of our existence is to have joy (2 Nephi 2:25)
• Choosing makes you happy (2 Nephi 10:23)
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes you happy because He suffered ALL (1 Nephi 8, 11; Mosiah 3-4; Alma 7)
• Keeping the commandments makes you happy (Mosiah 2:41, everywhere)
• Getting baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost makes you happy (Mosiah 18)
• Repenting makes you happy (Mosiah 27)
• Heed and diligence to the scriptures = Joy
• Back then, people got so happy they passed out. I REALLY want to experience this! (See Alma 18, 27, 29)

So, do you believe me yet? 

I'm not going to lie, being a working student again is a lot harder than I expected. I thought life would be so much easier when I came home from serving a mission. I think the most stressful part is the fact that I'm self-centered and self-serving again. It takes extra effort to remember to put Heavenly Father first and to trust that the Gospel answers apply to my crazy life now. 

I'm not posting this "happy" post because I am ridiculously happy and think you should be too. Rather, it is a reminder to me and you that the Gospel is the true source of happiness, and if we just look to the sources Heavenly Father has already given us we will be able to get through the trials that come our way. =)

James

Dear family and friends,

NEVER underestimate God's power and abilities. Anything can happen on His time and in His way. We have been humbled and blessed significantly with the most incredible miracle I have seen on my entire mission.

Meet James: Early 30s, single, tattoos, works full time. NO religious background except a basic belief in God.

Last week, we accidentally knocked on James' door while looking for someone else. He came out on his porch for a minute, we said a prayer with him, and left him a Restoration pamphlet with our number and Church information written on the back. He had briefly told us he works every Sunday and would never be able to come to church.

Imagine our surprise to get a text from James a few days later saying sorry that he could not come to church on Sunday but he wanted to go next time. We invited him to the church tour Thursday (July 25) at 7pm. He said he'd come!

He did! In our church tours, we and the Elders take investigators around the meetinghouse while teaching the First lesson. (The Gospel Blesses Families in the primary room, Christ's Ministry in the Baptistry, the Restoration in the chapel, etc). At the end, James said he felt the spirit very strongly in the baptism portion of the lesson and all throughout the tour. "That's because it's true!" I responded. He got choked up. Sister Lewis invited him to be baptized (remember, this is our first lesson with James) and he committed to being baptized on August 10!! We told him to read the Book of Mormon (we gave him Enos) and pray to know it's true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet.

The next day we brought a member to his house for the second lesson, and he said, "I've already got my answer....I'm afraid to tell you it! When I ask God something, He always answers. " He recounted that as he drove home from the church tour he held up the Book of Mormon and said, "God, is this true?" He had a remarkable experience with the Spirit and the radio and other things that gave him an undeniable personal witness that our message was true. That night he read the first 20 pages of the Book of Mormon.

The next day (Saturday the 27th) he came to the Elders' baptism of two young boys. Met more members and shared an even stronger testimony.

Yesterday (the 28th) he came to church for all three hours. He texted the Bishop, "The truth won't stop, Andy. Never felt more related to a group in my life."

Tonight he is joining a member family for Family Home Evening.

WE FOUND JAMES BY KNOCKING ON HIS DOOR.

There is so much I am learning from this experience. After Elena was baptized, the desire of my heart was to see one more baptism before I go home. James has incredible faith and is so willing to act and do whatever the Lord asks of Him. I can't wait to see him dressed in white as he makes a covenant with Heavenly Father and receives the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

I can't even say this is the only miracle. We found another golden family to teach this week. The miracles are suddenly pouring in and there is not room enough to receive them. The Lord loves all of His children, and missionaries will see miracles when they prove to the Lord that He can trust them. We have nothing to do with James except knocking on his door. The Lord does not need missionaries to do His work, He can do it without us. He allows us to serve so that we can learn for ourselves and gain that experience and testimony for ourselves.

Ask, and ye shall receive.

Love,
Sister Nordstrom

The Prophets Have Spoken!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Oh man, General Conference is just the BEST!

We watched all 4 sessions at the meetinghouse here in Spring Hill for probably the first time on my mission (I usually watch it at members/investigators' houses). I have never before FAILED at getting investigators to come to conference, and I have also never INVITED so much! ....So I take that back, I didn't fail, because I invited.

In the weeks leading up to conference, we challenged members and nonmembers to bring questions and concerns to conference and we promised they would be addressed (by the Spirit, of course). Personally I had SEVEN questions that I wrote down for conference. I am shocked to say that in the FIRST session all seven were answered! It was the most amazing experience I have ever had with conference; this time instead of taking "minutes" of the sessions I wrote down something when it had to do with one of my questions, and I numbered it from 1-7. I have learned volumes!

I'm sure you are wondering what my seven questions were. One of them was: "How can I replace my fear with faith?" Faith was preached a lot from that pulpit! President Uchtdorf and Elder Holland did a great job of covering that.

So I summed up the themes and motifs of conference in my own "25 words or less":

"Be OBEDIENT! Be CHASTE! Be happy. Be a missionary. Catch the wave! Have FAITH. Have PEACE. Forgive. Strengthen home, marriage, and family."

What would be yours?

Of course, I LOVED Elder Andersen's and Elder Nelson's about missionary work. I loved President Packer's poem (didn't his talk sound like a departing talk?). I want to be Sister Dalton when I grow up. I LOVED how often music was referenced! I am going to blog about it this week. Having personally met Elders Nelson, Oaks, and Kopischke on my mission, I especially loved listening to those talks. Elder Kopischke changed my mission when he trained us last year.

But, I think my winner talk would have to be Elder L. Tom Perry's. Was he great, or what?! He took the gold with his bold call to return to the 10 commandments. I plan to use that a lot as we teach the Bible-thumpin' Christians here.

And oh man, for the SECOND time now I have been witness to a choir performing in conference that I COULD HAVE BEEN IN! Last year was the MTC choir that I just missed by a month. This year it was so cool to see so many of my friends on the stand singing with the BYU Choir. And it made me miss choir! I can't believe that happened two times in a row.

This week as we visit families, we will ask them, what is ONE thing you will do differently now because of conference? If we don't apply the doctrine to our lives and LIVE the scriptures, like Elder Falabella taught, then it's useless! So I ask you the same question, what is ONE thing you will do differently now?


Here is the poster for the fireside (and Sister Abel and me on Easter Sunday)!

Small and Simple Things

Our mission president said in his email to us today, "We have become so grateful for 'small and simple things.' My favorite scripture in Alma 37:6,7 concerning small and simple things is having a deeper and deeper meaning." He is referring to the tiny miracles they are seeing daily in his wife, Sister McKee. She has been in critical condition in the hospital since Thanksgiving after a severe heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, and bleeding in her brain. She has gone through multiple surgeries and is slowly coming out of her coma. Tens of thousands have been joining in prayer for her and her family. Even the Quorum of the 12 Apostles held a special prayer for her this week. We miss our dear mission mom but we know that these small miracles are progress in the right direction. 

It's true, Heavenly Father leads us along "line upon line and precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30). He does not show us every miracle nor give us every answer all at once. 

This week a dear friend of mine sent me Vocal Point's newest CD, "Lead Thou Me On." Besides highly recommending it, I also want to share how one song on the CD seems to be just for me.

The first track is "Lead Kindly Light," a song that has taken on a whole new meaning for me. "The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead thou me on!" The night is very dark out here in the country, each day is long, and we are tired and very far from home. We are guided by the Spirit while on the Lord's errand.

"I loved to choose and see my path, but now, Lead thou me on." I have always been a planner. I like to see far in advance and know where I'll be and what I'll be doing tomorrow, next month, next year, 30 years down the road. I have never had to rely so much on faith and not see so far. I truly have been learning to ask Heavenly Father, "Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me." Is one step really enough for me? 

We lead those we teach one step at a time. We give them small commitments: "Will you read from the Book of Mormon every day? Will you pray to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet?" Then, "Will you come to church this Sunday?" Then, "Will you commit to live the Word of Wisdom....the law of chastity....the law of tithing?" Then, "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God?" 

Through small and simple means, we are led one step at a time through our journey. Be patient with the Lord and remember that He is working on His own timetable. That is one of the biggest lessons I am learning as His servant. 

Sister Ryceejo Nordstrom

Butterscotch and Baptisms

Meet Tanner Copeland, the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fulton, KY ward.

Tanner is 20 years old.

He is funny, thoughtful, introspective, and a friend of a family in the ward who introduced him to the church.

Tanner was addicted to cigarettes.

Through daily prayer and daily scripture study, Tanner overcame his addiction to smoking in just a few months. 

He also received his answer that this is Christ's church on the earth today and he needs to be baptized!

We asked him what his secret was! Most smokers who try to quit will tell you that you need to find something to do/eat/drink that discourages the habit and taste of cigarettes. He tried "The Cinnamon Thing" but it didn't work for him. One day while Tanner was at the store, he bought some Butterscotch candies. He used to eat them all the time as a kid and hadn't for 9 years. He ate one and then took a hit of a cigarette to see what would happen. He said it was awful! As he has prayed for the strength to overcome his addiction, the Lord has taken away his desire to smoke completely. 

It's amazing to see someone who used to smoke all the time become disgusted at the sight and smell of cigarettes.

Butterscotch. 

Who'd've thought?

Tanner was baptized Saturday night, July 21, along with an 8 year-old, Chase. It was a beautiful and spiritual service. Tanner has taught me the importance of diligently reading the Book of Mormon every day. Yesterday in church I spoke in Sacrament meeting about how crucial it is that we read the Book of Mormon every single day.  We need constant, daily nourishment for our bodies. Our spirits need it too. We must prioritize our schedules, and make sure there is enough time for studying the scriptures every day. 

We are what we eat, right?

So if we "feast upon the words of Christ," (2 Nephi 32:3), doesn't it follow that we become more like Christ?

Just some "food" for thought!

Love,

Sister Nordstrom

Country Backroads

Hey y'all!

I am now in my third area of my mission, which is unique since my companion who is going home at the end of this transfer is also in her third area. Sister Maria Warwood is from Hooper, UT and is the sweetest girl I've ever met. We are having a BLAST and tearing up the country backroads. We teach really well together and work really hard.

I am serving in the Fulton, Kentucky area! We straddle the KY/TN state line and our ward covers an area at least three times the size of the entire Nashville stake/zone! I was talking to a friend I met out here and she said, "Girl, you're in the country now!" If you don't believe it, take a look at the picture I took of gas prices here.



It's true.

The Fulton ward is basically 5 or 6 families. Everyone is somehow related to each other, so be careful who you talk bad about! They may be a nephew or a wife's uncle's cousin! Our area is made up of many small towns, some of them quite hick-ish. I'm perfecting my southern accent, and I had my first southern BBQ....OH about that! Barbecue out here is a bit different than back west. I showed up expecting a grill and hot dogs and hamburgers. No ma'am. A southern BBQ consists of pulled pork which they refer to simply as "butt," pulled chicken, ribs slathered in BBQ sauce, bologna, and/or various other meats that have been cooked all day. Barbecue in the south is a noun; the hamburger-grill deal we have back west is referred to as a "cook-out."

Saturday we had extra miles so we went to a few of the smaller towns in the middle of nowhere. We got lost on one of the country roads and had to pull into a driveway of a random house to turn around. I have NEVER been scared of dogs. But as I got out of the car to back my companion out, a big black dog started barking nasty at us and he wasn't chained down!! I almost wet myself. This dog was fast and chased our car for a while. I'm convincing myself he was just friendly and lonely. Or hungry....

We met a 101 year-old lady who didn't even remember whether she was a Mormon or not or what that even means (she was, because we had her on our records). She couldn't hear us very well either so we just smiled a lot. She really likes Elvis and there were posters of him everywhere. Also on Saturday I saw the Mississippi River! (Miz-sippy.) It's low because we are having a major drought and heat wave. The ward is fasting and praying for rain.

We have a baptism! Bessie White has been taught by missionaries for a long time. a former sister committed her on Facebook to read from the Book of Mormon every day and pray, and she finally did, and when we went over to visit she was glowing. She had a huge smile on her face and she said, "I read it. It's the word of God. I know it's true." It's INCREDIBLE what blessings we receive from reading the Book of Mormon every single day. It's not enough to eat a big meal once a week and be filled, and our spirits need the same constant nourishment. Bessie is so happy to have found the truth after over 60 years of searching.

I am having the best 22nd birthday today. My district leader organized a whole event for me. Sister Warwood and I woke up at 5am to get everything done (she made me cinnamon rolls) and we went to a church out in Paris (they have an Eiffel Tower in their small town, does that count?) and played Minute-to-Win-It games. A member family fixed us lunch and my favorite cake, German Chocolate. Then we went BOWLING! We had so much fun. I bowled a 140 and was pretty pleased with that. Guess I still got it in me ;)



Thank you for your prayers and birthday letters/notes! I can't believe I have been out for 5 months already! Time flies when you give it all to the Lord. :)

Love y'all,
Sister Ryceejo Nordström

Fireflies

We got to go to the zoo last Monday, and it was so great to wear jeans for a day and have fun with a member in our ward and four little kids!

Today was the week of miracles. I wrote to my family last week that we finally set a date with Jerry to be baptized...in the upcoming weekend! And we sure did. Saturday April 28, Jerry Hicks was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I laughed when I read my sister's email because she said she could guarantee that we would have at least one hitch during the process. The adversary always throws more opposition before such a great miracle. 

One of our "hitches" came in the form of a lizard.

We got to the church 2 hours early to fill up the font and we opened the door and there was a LIZARD in the baptismal font. No big deal, right? Wrong! Sister Jensen and I are terrified of bugs! All the Elders laughed at us later, saying they would have just scooped up the slimy thing and carried it out. Yeah right! They were just talking tough. It took us a solid 20 minutes to maneuver the little salamander out of the font and into the grass outside. Our tools? 1 bowl, 1 poster, 1 flat dishwasher rubber mat (yes we got really creative), and one dinner tray. But we were determined to get Jerry's font filled, so we were SO brave and we got the thing out! (And took a few pictures.)

Jerry's baptism was perfect. He bore his testimony at the end and it was so powerful! It sounded like the testimony of an apostle. "I KNOW this Church is true. I KNOW Joseph Smith was a prophet. I KNOW Jesus Christ is our Savior." He glowed that day with more happiness than I have ever seen in him, except maybe the following day when he was confirmed.

The miracles didn't stop there. Meet Thea. She's a media referral, meaning she got in touch with missionaries online and they sent her info to the mission office. Get this....by the time we contacted her, she already had been reading the Book of Mormon, had received ALL the lessons (online), had all Anti-Mormon lit thrown at her, and picked a baptism date because she knows this is the true Gospel! She came to Jerry's baptism and afterwards we sat down with her. It was kind of awkward because we really didn't know what to say to someone who is so ready! We told her what she needs to do to prepare for her baptism, and she is thrilled. She wanted to know about all the Relief Society activities, she came to church yesterday, and she just wants more! She has been a strong Christian her entire life. She grew up in Alabama and came to Tennessee to sing country music. She was inches away from signing on with some major producers (she's REALLY talented) but the Lord led her to the Gospel instead. She said that the Book of Mormon contains the answers to ALL the questions she's ever had! She finally feels complete and we are so excited to help her prepare to make a covenant with Heavenly Father next month!

After that, we went outside to the warm night air.....and there were fireflies!! This may be the greatest miracle for Sister Nordstrom. Ever since I got to Tennessee I started asking EVERYONE about when the lightning bugs will come out and looking anxiously for my first glimpse of "glow-bum bugs." I held one in my hand! They were all over the area where our church building is but nowhere else! I took it as a sign that Heavenly Father gave us these miracles, and His hand is in everything. Just as fireflies give additional light to the night, these two people and all those involved in bringing them closer to Christ are like additional lights turned on in darkness. 

Yesterday Sister Jensen, our ward mission leader Brother Dearden, and I spoke in Sacrament meeting. I talked about the Doctrine of Christ as it relates to our missionary purpose, Sister Jensen talked more about missionary work and its importance, and Brother Dearden brought it to the member level. We had more "spiritual fireflies" in church! We had so many nonmembers come to church, and even more less-active members, who got to be present when Jerry was confirmed a member of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

It really has been the perfect weekend. It's not that we had been doing something wrong before, it's that we have finally been doing the RIGHT thing LONG enough. I'm grateful for the fireflies in my life, like my family, my mission president, my companion, friends back home who send uplifting letters, the Book of Mormon, fasting, prayer, and especially my Savior. What are your "fireflies?"

It's Still True

What an incredible week it's been. We had zone conference this week, and the music fireside last night. I want you all to know that I feel your prayers. I feel the strengthening power of my calling. I have never been alone for a single moment since I put on this name tag. There is a host of angels, and Jesus Christ Himself, supporting me and my companion. Thank you for being among those angels. 

A miracle happened almost 200 years ago. A young boy named Joseph Smith prayed to God to know what church he should join, and in answer to His prayer Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Through God's power, Joseph Smith restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it had once been on the Earth. He received Priesthood authority to act in the name of God. And my favorite part of this miracle is that Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, a record of ancient inhabitants of the American soil on which we now live. 

It's still true! This DID happen! We members have heard this story countless times, we have already prayed to know that the Book of Mormon is true, and we have already received a witness that this is THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But for some of us the miracle has faded. As a missionary, I get to be reminded every day what an incredible gift we had. I teach people about Joseph Smith every day, and people open the Book of Mormon for the first time in front of my eyes. If only we saw the message of the Restoration the way these people did. Moroni promised us that if we read the Book of Mormon, we will know the truth (Moroni 10:4-5). We aren't supposed to just do this once! A few weeks ago I finished the Book of Mormon for the 15th time in my life, and I again knelt and prayed to Heavenly Father and asked if this book that I share with people every day is the word of God. "Yes," I felt the answer, "My daughter, it is still true." 

Last night, I stood in front of a congregation of people with mixed faiths and mixed degrees of conversion to the Gospel. And I sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" (LDS Hymnbook, No. 26). Sister Jensen and I had the special opportunity of sharing our testimonies in song, and it was an overwhelming feeling. 

We fast a lot as missionaries. Our entire mission is doing a 40-day fast from all the things in our life that "prick our Spirits." For me some of those things include not grilling my family about what's going on in NCAAB March Madness, and not saying/thinking negative thoughts. Sister Jensen and I also fasted yesterday for the chance to find 14 new investigators this week, which is the mission standard. We have fallen incredibly short, and we want to end my first transfer in Tennessee on a strong note. "The field is white, already to be harvested" (D&C 4). 

This week, please think about the time your heart changed and you chose to give up everything to follow Jesus Christ, or as they all say here, when you were "Saved." The feeling you had when you were baptized, when you knew Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I'd love to hear some of your thoughts if you want to send me a quick note. 

Sister Nordström

(Here is the picture of our Tennessee-Nashville Mission choir, and our mission president and his wife.)

I Wear a Name Tag

So I'm here at the MTC! It's been a very long week but the Spirit is great here and I have so much to tell and so little time. The drop off of missionaries is very systematic and orderly. They take a picture of you and put it on an ID card that you have to carry everywhere with you and swipe at every single door of every single building to get in. The security here makes me feel like I'm in a prison. I've already run into about 20 people I know here! You meet in a small classroom every single day for classes, study time, and investigator teaching. The people in the class with you are your district. There are nine of us in my district. I have two companions, Sister Mapu and Sister Aebischer. Sister A is from Riverside in the Jurupa 2nd ward!! My companions are going to Jackson, Mississippi. Five of the six elders in my district are going to Nashville! The other elder is going to the West Indies and he leaves next week! We have two teachers, Brother Gruninger and Brother Hepworth. They are AWESOME. Brother Hepworth was in all the District Preach My Gospel Movies so he really knows his stuff.

Every single minute of our day is scheduled. We get up at 6:30, have daily planning, personal study, companionship study, and teaching, and either one or two 3-hour blocks of classes, and somewhere in there we eat. The way we learn is we teach our TEACHERS as if they are investigators. They each take on a roll of someone they know/taught, and over three weeks we teach them different lessons. We are also investigators and we teach at the TRC. That is crazy.

The funniest part to me was on the first day, people kept poking their head into our room because we were new and talking to us. They started going off and giving us advice (unsolicited), and went on and on. Then we'd ask, "So, how long have you been here?" "One week!" They reply. I'm going to be honest, it's a bit annoying. I promised myself I would not be that missionary. The hardest part is being exactly obedient, not because I don't want to, but because not everyone around me is. It's hard to be in bed by 10:30 and on time to everything when the rest of your district and your zone leaders don't take it seriously. I actually hit a wall on days 3 and 4 because I was teaching everything I knew, bearing my whole testimony, and it wasn't enough. It was difficult. But I learned that I will learn little by little and I need to be patient with myself.

Okay, everyone wants to know about the food. The main options they give you are super unhealthy, but you can ALWAYS find something good to eat. It's hard though because they offer you dessert at every meal and dinner is REALLY early. But I'm staying strong. My highlights are Gym time. We have 50 minutes to do whatever we want and we dont have to stay with our companion (the only time of day). I have been running a lot! Sundays missionaries do a temple walk and take pictures. I wish I could send some but you'll have to wait until I get to Nashville. Sundays are the best because it's a day for self nourishment spiritually, so you can focus on your own growth.

Sunday night we have movie night, and we watched the Joseph Smith movie. Imagine yourself being in a room full of hundreds of 19-year old boys who start cat-calling when Joseph kisses Emma. WOW. Haha but these elders are incredible. They have strong testimonies and will do amazing things. I love wearing a name tag every day with Jesus Christ's name on it. It's still weird and I'm getting used to it, but I LOVE being a missionary. Write me a letter!

Rejoice

I'm going to be completely honest:
I am deliriously happy.

I have endured a really difficult four months since I got my mission call. This semester I went to school full time and worked full time.  I got the worst grades ever in my school career.  I dealt with a couple heartbreaks that I kept under wraps from a lot of people.  I lost a lot of sleep. After losing my car mid-semester, I have hardly any money saved for my mission.  In a little over a month, I will leave behind all of my friends and family for a year and a half to get rejected and hated, to discover even more of my weaknesses, and to feel frequently inadequate.

I am so incredibly, undeniably, happy. Truly!

A friend once pointed out to me that if scrambled my name spells, "Rejoyce." I don't think my parents ever realized that when they named me.  Despite all the challenges I've dealt with this semester, I cannot help but smile constantly and feel blessed.  I finally understand my youth and innocence, and instead of feeling too old, I know I am not yet grown up.

For me, a time without challenges can elicit complacency that stunts my growth. Heavenly Father knows that I need to be strong and courageous when I report, because He needs strong and courageous servants to represent Him and to teach about His Son.

Every one of those trials has a blessing attached to it. I still come home from every shift thinking that I have the greatest job. Not only have my heartbreaks allowed me to be single and still eligible for the mission (haha), but I will also have the chance to meet that right man later, when I am more the person I want to be. The good experiences will far outnumber the bad. I will bless lives and learn and grow. I will come home a better person than when I left.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Alma 26 in the Book of Mormon. The missionaries have faced trial after trial and suffered defeat many times. But Ammon starts the chapter by saying, "How great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted unto us such great blessings?" He lists all the blessings that have come throughout that time.  He praises the Lord and is overcome with joy for all the good that has happened. Then his brother Aaron scolds him, telling him he's getting carried away and is boasting. Ammon gives a memorable reply:

"I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things...therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?"

He says that no natural man knows how great God's mercy is and how much He blesses His children. In order to recognize God's hand, a person must repent, exercise faith, do good works, and pray unceasingly. I've done a lot of that this semester, and that's why I have the same perspective as Ammon.

I feel that there never was a girl that had as great a reason to rejoice as I, and my joy is carried away unto boasting unto God for He has all power, wisdom, and understanding, He comprehends everything, and He is merciful (v.35).  Having faith in him has brought me joy because I've let Him lead me, and His direction has brought me greater happiness than I could have found for myself. Struggling has helped me draw closer to my Savior.

Christmas is a week away, and all month I have been celebrating. I rejoice in the Savior who came to Earth and lived the perfect life.  So, even if your Christmas season has crappy days and long nights, don't forget to rejoice. Because God has it all figured out for you.

Wings in Nashville

With shaking hands, I pulled the white envelope out from underneath the pile of ads in my mail box. I couldn't believe it was here.  This moment was so long-anticipated that the full impact of it never really hit me. (Even now it is still surreal.) I climbed into my car with shaky hands, set the envelope on the passenger seat, texted my family that it had come, and turned off my phone.

In what seemed like an eternity, I drove the two miles to the temple, singing to myself along the way to calm my nerves after sitting at the same traffic light for three rounds. Of all days, why did traffic have to be terrible NOW? It took every ounce of effort to be patient. Maybe the envelope next to me would call me to a place where there isn't a temple for hundreds of miles. Who was I to complain about an extra 10 minutes?

With measured effort I walked up the steps to the temple with my call in hand, singing "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Dear Lord" softly, and I sat down by the fountain. A man eyed my big white envelope as he walked by, knowing exactly what I was about to do, but otherwise I was alone. I said a prayer, then I carefully opened the envelope, shut my eyes tight, and pulled out the manila letter.

"Dear Sister Nordstrom:"

Oh my goodness.

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

I stopped there, crying with joy. That was the most important line. It didn't matter where I was called, when I would go, in what language I would preach. That information seemed so arbitrary (although I knew that my call was anything but random).

"You are assigned to labor in the Tennessee Nashville Mission."

I laughed out loud, and a fresh batch of tears began streaming down my cheeks. It's perfect! As soon as I read that, I had the strangest sensation. My call assignment was FAMILIAR. It was not some foreign, strange call, but rather it felt as if I was being reminded of something I already knew.

"It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language."

I didn't even notice those details until I read it to myself again later. The next few paragraphs stated that I was considered worthy to represent the Lord, that "[my] purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."

Second-most important line in the letter? "Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children."

Then I stared at the signature of the letter for a full minute. Thomas S. Monson. The Prophet of the world, The Presiding High Priest, The Seer and The Revelator, the Spokesman of God, our closest link on Earth to the Savior, had personally signed the paper I held in my hand.

I have five months to prepare for this new adventure. Even then I will still feel unready for the responsibilities that lie ahead. I could not be more excited. I know that the church I belong to brings greater happiness than any human on this earth will ever find elsewhere. I am a member of Christ's church, and I can't wait to share His message with others. I have already begun praying every night that those I meet will have their hearts softened and prepared so the Holy Spirit can teach them through me, so they can receive the knowledge, wisdom, and joy that over 14 million people in the world already have.

Soon I will spread my wings in Nashville. =)

Resolve to BE

I went to California for 10 days over Christmas break. I had hoped to get warm sunshine, a tan, and an escape from the Utah ice chest.
It rained most of the time. (Just my luck)
Provo greeted me with frigid weather and lots of snow. Before winter semester began I spent a few hours going through old journals. For nine years, I have faithfully made New Year's resolutions; it's hilarious to read my teenage goals. I'm kind of embarrassed to share some of these but hey, no one reads blogs anyway, right?

2004 (Age 13): #3. Have a new posture! Remember: confidence = sexy  (Yes, I really wrote that.)
                         There are 6 or 7 other resolutions about having more fun and enjoying life. I must have been a stiff or something......

2005: #6. Eat no popcorn. (Wow, that must have been a depressing year....)
          #28. Do not kiss (That wasn't a problem as I didn't have my first kiss for another two and a half years. What kind of person resolves NOT to kiss anyway??)
          #39. Do not be so inquisitive (My mom will appreciate that one)
          
2006: #4 Be a bag of sunshine!! (Be careful what you wish for.)
          #12. Avoid procrastination as I would a spider. (I sure had a way with words)


2007: #13. Eat more vegetables. (REALLY?! How old was I? This was still a problem?)

2008: #9. Eat vegetables. (No comment...)
          #13. SIMPLIFY. (I love this one)
          
Ever make resolutions you know you'll accomplish without a doubt, but you make them just to feel better about yourself?  Like:

2010 #9: "Go to a different country (suckas!!! I AM!!!!)"


Soooooo....what about this year? For 2011, I made a list of all the things I wish were part of my life.  This time, I printed it out on bright pink paper and hung it up on my wall.  Some (lofty) goals:

• Read the Book of Mormon entirely in Spanish
• Run in a half marathon race. 
• Don't get sick once.
• Take the GRE
• Go skiing or snowboarding for the first time
• Bowl a turkey, and bowl at least 200.
• Go on a road trip or use my passport

Basically, I resolved to BE. To live and love life. To do things I've always wanted to do. This year, I'm living like I've never lived before. Besides, I turn 21. Isn't 21 supposed to be the magical year? So how have I done so far? As of this last weekend, I already broke "don't get sick once." But I've already checked off another resolution, so I guess I'm 1 for 2.

Tender Mercies Remind Me of The Miracle

"Somedays we forget to look around us.  Somedays we can't see the joy that surrounds us.  So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give....It's up to us to be the change. And even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for."
–Josh Groban, Thankful

I am overwhelmed with how much my Heavenly Father and His Son love me.  As I said in my last post, these few months are truly my favorite time of year.  The more I stay in tune with the Spirit and do what I'm doing, I recognize the tender mercies the Lord places in my life every single day.  Whether it's getting asked out by a boy I like, or nailing a singing performance when I was worried I'd bomb it, or getting A's on assignments on tests and papers when I have been doing a balancing act with three jobs and full-time school, God's hand is in my life every day.  The more we learn to recognize that these aren't merely coincidences, the more love and joy we feel for life around us.  I am surrounded by so much beauty.  I have an amazing mother who I talk to almost every day, sisters, friends, and roommates who care about me, an incredible place in the best choir I have ever sung in, a healthy body that can run and run, and most of all, a membership in the only true Church on this earth, a Gospel of peace and joy that helps me stay on the path that leads me back to my Heavenly Father.

How do I know how to be good?  Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on earth and be an example to us.  His life was a miracle.  He was perfect.  From birth to death He demonstrated faith, humility, selflessness, and obedience.

He suffered pains and afflictions worse than death so that we would have a way to overcome our "natural man" and become the celestial, exalted beings we were meant to be. I love my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father.   "There's so much to be thankful for," and this Christmas season I won't be forgetting that.