Duty vs. Love

Sister Clifton-Mr. G - Sister Gefferies @ the Newport Beach CA Temple

Hey Family and Friends,

This week has been a crazy, busy, week, but also one of the best ones of my mission so far! So much has happened. I was able to go on an exchange with Sister Sowards. She is a great missionary and she loves to build people up.

We have been meeting with one guy- Mr.G. He's really great and we love him! As we have been teaching him he's been able to come to the understanding that the Book of Mormon is true. It's absolutely amazing because everything that he has had concerns about has been resolved through the Book of Mormon because he knows that it's true. And because he knows that he knows everything else we believe is true as well. He has come such a long ways and we are so happy and proud of him! He was able to come to the Newport Beach Temple Tour (just the grounds and speaking about temples) and he really enjoyed it! I have loved seeing his testimony grow!

We had another lesson with a family and while we were teaching them the spirit was so strong. Sister Jefferies and I came home and Sister Jefferies just starts telling me that this is why she loves missionary work. And I could not agree more. I absolutely have loved feeling the spirit when teaching and having it testify that what we are saying is true. We can talk all we want but people will not be able to feel of the truthfulness of it without the spirit.

Here is something that I learned earlier and I absolutely loved it!

It's comparing Alma 4 to 4 Nephi. In Alma 4 it's talking about Duty. In verse 3 it's talking how they were in a remembrance to their duty. In verse 5 it talks about the 7th year and then in verse 9 it says it's the 8th year. In one year there were "great contentions among the people of the church, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecution, and pride..."

But then in 4th Nephi 1:15 it is saying that they had a love of God and there was "no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, no lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness, and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God." In verse 22 it says 200 years this went on. All because of love. We need to act because of love rather than duty. Duty is good but when comparing these 2 chapters we see that love is needed when serving God and others. It just can't be duty.

I love missionary work! It's such a blessing and it's amazing to see the change in others. I love this gospel with all my heart and I love the Book of Mormon. I love it when I have seen others also grow to love this book. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and I love seeing His hand in His work. This is amazing and I am so glad that I am here in California. Could not be more blessed!

Love you all!

Love,

Sister Clifton 

Lessons Learned

Hello World!

It's been a crazy but good week. I've also learned a few things. Lesson #1- do not wear wrap around dresses on a windy day. It's really awkward. Thank goodness for safety pins and slips. Lesson #2- Possibly allergic to lobster. I think that's what happens when you eat and and your throat becomes thick and your fingers become fat from touching it. Thank goodness I'm not deathly allergic.

This is going to be quick but I think next week will be better (do I say that every week?)

We had dinner with a family on Friday and they have the CUTEST boy! His name is Easton and he's 6. Last time we ate there he was really shy but this time no. The Elders were there too and Easton is being as cute as he can be! He said, "Missionaries close your eyes." In the cutest little voice and so we did and then he was gone for a bit and then he came back and he told us to open them. When we did he was dressed in his church clothes with a towel draped over his arm and he asked if he could take our order. OH- and he also drew a mustache on his face (the one that twits) with a goatee! Ah- you cannot get any cuter! He tells us what the special is so we order and he's writing it down and he tells us he's not doing it in scribbles! Cute as a button.

We had a 9 Week Follow Up Meeting on Thursday and we learned about more about Christlike attributes. I was also able to see everyone that I came out with! I have missed them and it was great to talk to them and get the updates with them!

Oh something to listen to. Go to YouTube and look up "Strangers Like Me" it's from Tarzan. Think of it as the mind of an investigator. It's pretty cool and it gives me chills!

I love this Gospel and I know that it's true. It's such a blessing to be here in CA and being able to see the changes in people as they start to realize that the Book of Mormon is true!!

I will give more information next week! Love you all!

Love,

Sister Clifton

Blessed to Know

Sisters: Jefferies, Smack Clifton (ME!) & Grant

Hey Everybody,

It's been a great week. I don't think I can share too much but during this week I learned a lot. I learned more about the gospel, about myself, and how to be a better missionary.

On Thursday we had Zone Training and President and Sister Bowen came! In the training we learned a lot on how to work with the members more in our finding. Since then, Sister Jefferies and I have had met with 3 different families. It's cool because we've been thinking about some members we want to talk to. As we have gone to these families and have asked them to fast and pray about people to invite to the gospel they already have someone in the back of their mind that they have recently been thinking of. They just needed a push from missionaries! We set a date with them- just like investigators with baptism and we are going to help them along every step of the way. It's actually really exciting.

We have been teaching 2 of our regulars and they both came to church! It's so amazing when someone that you love and care about finally comes to church. It made me so happy to see them there! It's un-describable.

I did an exchange with Sister Parkinson on Saturday. She has such a sweet personality and her testimony is so strong. You cannot argue with what she says because you know what she says is true. She knows how to answer people and help the with their questions. She's also a great listener. I learned a lot from her!

Just something real quick that I want to share. Sometimes we take advantage of the small and simple things that we know to be true. As I have been teaching and learning about the religious backgrounds of many people I have come to realize how blessed I am. I am blessed to know. I am blessed to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. Blessed to know that He has a beautiful plan for me. Blessed to know that I lived with my Heavenly Father before I came to this earth and that He loves me more than I can comprehend and He wants me to live with Him again. Blessed to know that the church of Jesus Christ is back on earth, that we have a prophet that leads and guides the church today, that the Book of Mormon is true. Blessed to know that I can be forgiven, to pray, to ask if things are true. The list continues but I am happy that I am serving the Lord and so blessed that I have this knowledge in my life.

I know this email was not too long. Hopefully next weeks email will be more full of information. Most of this coming week is already planned. It's going to be really busy. I'm excited!

Happy Are We!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry this email is late. The library was closed on Monday due to Labor Day and there were some scheduling conflicts on Tuesday so now on Wednesday I finally have the chance to email!

Well this week has been really good. I'm no longer the newest missionary in the mission. Transfers happened last Tuesday so we have a new group. I love not being the newest. It's really nice.

On Wednesday I got to have dinner with Brother and Sister Pugmire (Emme's parents- my freshman year roommate). They moved to California a little over a year ago and they live in my area/zone and they wanted to treat my companion and I to dinner. It was really nice and so sweet. I loved seeing them and they have such a sweet and welcoming spirit. They are absolutely amazing.

We did a little exchange with some sisters in my zone (my companion is the Sister Training Leader so as part of her job she does exchanges and I'm along for the ride). I enjoy the exchanges because it's really interesting learning from different missionaries. I was with Sister Grant again and I learned more from her. I love her so much!

We got a new ward mission leader. It's a little sad because we loved ours but we are also excited to see what new ideas come to the table! We had dinner with him and the Elders earlier this week and he came up with some great ideas for the area and with the ward. It's getting me really excited for the missionary work!

Here is one of my Favorite Mormon Messages. I cry basically every time.

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#mountains-to-climb

Random Fact of the Day:

Did you know that the California Anaheim Mission is the smallest proselyting mission in the world?! We are the 2nd smallest mission in the world- Salt Lake Temple Square is the smallest. 

I think every week I have an increasing love for doing missionary work. I learn more and more and as I learn, my love for my mission, for my area, and for the Lord grows. It's an amazing experience and I am so blessed to be here in California!

I think that's all for now. Once again thanks to all the support that you have shown me! It means a lot!

Me with the Pugmire's- Awesome people! I love them! 

Love Always,

Sister Clifton