Live Every Day Like It's The Only Reason You're Here!

Hello Friends! Sorry about these last few weeks with no updates. Maybe you read them maybe you don't (but if you don't you would not be reading it right now- so that was sorta pointless to say). A lot has been going on and sometimes you're just not in the mood to write how you are really feeling, and sometimes there's no time. But now there's time to write and I'm ready to write about my emotions for the past while. So I'm about to spill out my thoughts and feelings of the past awhile. I am sharing because I am hoping that will help someone out. And simply sharing the moments of mission life where it's not easy and you do have challenges and you really wonder "Why?"

These past few weeks have probably been the most difficult of my mission so far for a variety of different reasons. One reason was feeling the actual need to be here. My companion is so wonderful and I know she has her faults (everyone does) but that does not change anything else about her. She is a great example and I look up to her so much. In so many ways I wish I was more like her. She's hard working, she loves missionary work more than anything, she's an excellent teacher, and she goes by the spirit in all things. She connects with people really well and people can easily trust her. People are just naturally drawn to her. I know that I got the best companion in the mission! And while I have been striving to do the best I really love missionary work- I just felt like I was needed more at home than in California. Sometimes you get things stuck in your head that people have told you and you try not to let these things get to you but the things that have been said or done hurt- especially when all complied together and then you start to wonder why.

I started to reflect my purpose and I really started to feel that I would be accomplishing and helping more at home. I could be earning money, getting farther in my education, being with my friends and family and helping them in whatever they need. The desire that I had to serve a mission from when I was 18 and 19 was gone but I knew that there was some purpose for me being here so I was going to stay and finish my mission because the Lord told me countless times that there is a reason for my mission and that I needed to go. I did not want to go home and felt like I gave up and simply just quit because of things people have said to me and how I have felt. I wanted to stick it out. But I honestly have never absolutely LOVED my mission. I liked it and was enjoying the experience. But love? No. Changing me? No.

One night Sister Jefferies and me were talking and she told me, "Live every day like it's the only reason your out here." For some reason that really struck me. And it's obviously a "duh" statement but I never thought of it that way before. I was waiting till I was more experienced in the mission field, maybe it would happen when I got to a new area. But living each day for my purpose. It's not some day in the future- it's now. That's why the Lord wants me to be here. And since then I know that I have changed. I have felt it and I have really started to love my mission and have gained a deeper love for the people that I am teaching. Sister Jefferies said that the way that you know that you truly love your investigators is when that's all you can think of. You spend your time thinking of any way that you can help them. What they need to progress in the Gospel. And now that's really all I can think of. Before I was thinking of home A LOT more than I should have. Things and people I missed, what I would be doing now, etc.. Now, it's a lot less and the people that I am serving have been on my mind and how I can help them grow closer to the Savior. It's amazing how much your thoughts have an effect on you. And I have flipped the switch. I have grown to really love serving a mission. Now I'm here because I really want to be- not simply because the Lord told me to be. This past month I have really felt the mission changing me. I'm simply not going through the emotions of serving a mission, but I'm really starting to feel it change me.

A few weeks ago was also a hard time with one of the people that we are teaching. But it was also a time that I realized how much I love the Book of Mormon and how much I value and treasure the things that it says. Sister Jefferies and I bore our testimony and started bearing our testimony of the Book of Mormon. Sister Jeffeires went first and she cried. Then I followed and I said my thoughts from my personal study that morning. I was reading the Book of Mormon and I was thinking how much I love and treasure the book and how it has made such a huge difference in my life. And I started crying. This Gospel has brought so much joy into my And I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon is 100% true. It's been a huge blessing in my life. I love it.

We had the ward party Trunk or Treat on Wednesday. That was so much fun! I was Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Sister Jefferies was Minnie Mouse. It was really fun to dress up and we were still in "mission clothes" with our name tag. It was really fun to dress up as Disney characters for the ANAHEIM mission. I love you all! And I miss you so much! But as you know, I would not want to come home. I love this mission and I love serving my Savior. A mission has been such a blessing in my life, especially this past month. I was going to bed one night and I was thinking how much I have learned and grown since coming out here. I was wondering why I did not do certain things a certain way at home. And then I realized it's because of my mission. It's definitely been a huge blessing in my life!!! And I love it!

Love, Sister Clifton

A Beautiful Day for a Baptism!

Hello Everyone! This past Saturday my companion and I had the most wonderful opportunity to have one of the people- Brother G, follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized! It was one of the best feelings that I have ever had! He has such a strong faith and he amazes me so much! The spirit was so strong and I know that this gospel is true.

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" -D&C 18:15

How true this scripture is! I love it! Thank you Brother G for letting me share this experience with you!

Love,

Sister Clifton

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