Letter Excerpts from Nov 21

Dearest Family:

 

I'm sure that wherever you gather for the thanksgiving feast, you will have time to think of all the blessings you have. I'd like to add mine to the list of things that are said and that go around so you all know what I would say! :)

 

I thank God that he has created this world of wonder. Everyday I find something new to see, to learn, and to feel. I love my body, a gift to me that is already obedient to the laws of that kingdom which it has been placed in. Well did Alma say, "I know there is a God and also that Christ shall come. . .behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony to you that they are true. . .the scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea even the earth and all things that are upon the face of it, yea and its motion and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme creator." (see Alma 30) Embracing and realizing that truth does so much to place all things in a proper perspective. I know we go through our customized experiences here, in our Fallen state. We have the opportunities to love and learn, obey and gain power.  When we obtain any blessing it is by obedience to the law upon which it is predicated. (see D&C 130) Our existence is designed for US!!! we grow the most when we choose to understand this and have the holy spirit enlighten our understanding.

 

I thank dear Heavenly Father that he placed all of us in this family. I have learned from each one of you. Please understand and take pride in knowing how you have helped me become who the Lord has in mind. I know that if we stay united in our family, I can (and each one of you) continue to progress as he has designed. Serving a mission has put my family into perspective. I loved you before, but now more than ever I see the absolute need for and blessing of having you. Let's stay together forever! 

 

I am grateful for the support you have shown me as I serve. Notes of encouragement, pictures from the little kids, heart felt letters, and thoughtful packages have put spring in my step. I know this work is motivated by Christ's love. Charity! And when you have stepped in and put forth your love, it has made this more complete. One Eternal round. I love you and am so thankful you haven't forgotten me!!

 

I love this restored gospel. I am so thankful that it is so complete and alive. I am grateful that I can get up everyday and know why I believe what I do, and where that understanding comes from. We have a unique privilege boldly declare Salvation and The God. The God who doesn't change, who is no respecter of persons, and who is all powerful. "And they were all afraid of the God of Israel" Make him your God! Thanks be to Him for the love and consistency we can see. Why weren't you born outside of the church? Why weren't you born in 1756? I am sooooo thankful for this fullness!

 

I am thankful for the example of Jesus Christ. He has shown me the life that will never die. He is the giver of that kind of life. I pledge to follow him! But its even more than that, I can covenant to follow him. I am thankful that when I decide to follow Christ, I can do SO much more than just "Follow Jesus on Twitter" (yep that's one CC taught us on Easter Sunday to do) He accepts me with my flaws and graciously gives me more power to do His will. I couldn't make it alone. The power of a covenant is real, it goes two ways. And both ways are essential, and I am thankful I can do my part so He always does his. "And when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed" I am thankful I can offer Christ!

Letter Excerpts from October 17th

So We are working with this lady named Shauna* and she has two daughters, 12 and 16. The youngest came to church and loved it! She wants to come back every Sunday. They need to go on date and this morning I was reading 2 Ne 9 and came to the perfect verses to resolve her concerns help her gain more faith, and commit for a day! I hope that the Lord helps us do that. 

I was sweaty after playing soccer and basketball  with the zone and these guys drove up beside our car and hit on us. So funny! I guess the glow of the spirit shines through grungy yuck! heheh love you!

* * *

I am so touched by the spirit as you share your diligence in studying the Book of Mormon, attending the temple, and growing. I know the Lord is guiding you as he is guiding me. I am so grateful the Lord sent us the Book of Mormon. Those who have the faith to accept it, will benefit from the hand of the Lord, giving them a scripture like that. Right when they need it. Truly the Book of Mormon is better than the Bible. While the Bible contains so much history, the Book of Mormon was written AND edited by a prophet, and then the Lord translated it! :) what an amazing thing! I love you:)

We are going CRAZY with giving away Books of Mormon. We have given away 20 in 2 days!! We have plans to go back and visit everyone who accepted a copy. I love giving away this book. I handle it like it is gold when I give it to them, and they sense the power and sacredness of the record. I honor the Lord for making me into His instrument! What a joy it is to spread the fullness of what we have. 

The Franks* family has decided that the Book of Mormon is definitely not true. It was very sad to hear it over the phone from them. But we know we did everything we could. We love them so much and always will but the Lord has something else planned for them. It is very comforting to know that just because something doesn't happen on our time table, doesn't mean that its a lost cause. This is the Lord’s work and HE is in control. The light of Christ influences people to prepare for receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. CHRIST is the source of that light. It is HIM that we are publishing and it is HIS work. Nothing that happens will make me loose my peace. 

The morning of the day the Franks* didn't show up to church, wouldn't talk to us at the door, and finally called us back and told us what was going on-I had read the Gospel accounts of the last moments of the Saviors life. Satan tore through the hearts of the children of men, Christ’s brothers whom he loved. He moved them to mock the sacred symbols of His Sacrifice for them. The Deceiver was destroying their path out of death and hell, ultimately pulling at the heart strings of our Lord. "But Jesus held his peace."  

*Names Changed for Privacy

I know that the love he posses is unlimited and independent of that sphere in which God placed it. I know He was the Son of God. He had both mortal and immortal capacities and He went on the receive the Fullness of His Father. I humbly commit to follow him on this path. It is the path with all the answers. This is the way that has a lifetime guarantee. I would that I may always look to the great Mediator of all men and hearken unto his great commandments and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life according to the will of his Holy Spirit. Choose to keep the Spirit. Hold your peace and be filled with His. I know this things to be true for the Lord of Heaven and Earth has taught them to me. I love him. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love Sister Clendnening

Letter excerpts from September 19th

Oh man! Family! how am I going to get all of this out in the 12 minutes I have.

The work here is amazing! The Lord know our hearts, hear our prayers, and gives us opportunities to do great things. So many miracles happened this week I know I won't get them all but here are a few:

Monday was transfers. I was getting a new missionary and a new car and a new phone and a new apartment and a new area. All of these things may seem like small things but when you are on a mission, within a system, it all adds up to being a lot to sift through. Well we load everything up and finally move everything into the new place and get something to eat because my companion is fatigued from lack of food and head to do our 5-7 at 6:40. I feel this amazing sense of urgency!!! I'm driving through the area, no idea about anything and I barely know where our boundaries are.

Sister Daines suggests a road, we take it. But drive all the way to the other end of the road, Where we knock. And find Paul*. He agrees to come on a tour of the church. No car. So we call the Ward Mission Leader we met an hour ago and ask him for help but hes still on an errand for us and our living arrangements. So he gives the number of another Brother who comes right then to take Paul* to the church with us. FIRST DAY HERE!!

That night in planning..who do we go see?? We don't know anything. So looking on progress records from 3 months ago, out of all the names I pick one and we decide to go see them then next day. On the way up the stairs to their house we stopped to talk to a guy smoking. His friend comes out of the house we were headed to and says they moved in a month ago. WE invited his friend and he took our number saying he was very interested.

Thursday we give two Church tours. have member fellowship at one. and the other one we were sitting in the church parking lot when a long boarder came by. I ran after him and invited him in. He has been having a year of firsts. This was one of them. HE doesn't know anything about religion but is trying to make a change in his life and can see how this will help him.

Friday we start finding an hour earlier. As I'm driving to the planned finding area....i think it would be better to go over here. So we do. and start on...the second row instead. Clarissa* invited us in a we talked with here for an hour while she cried, we read the Book of Mormon and she came on a church tour the next day.

 *names have been changed for privacy

Then Saturday we hadn't heard  from that guy who said he would call us (that happens ALL the time) but we decided to go visit them. we did. they trust us. they brought their whole family to church. (6 ppl.) they loved it.  they are SO moral and value oriented, they will be bringing a friend to church next week.

we taught a LA RC who hasn't been to church. They came to church and the ward was so impressed. we are working SO hard!!! :)

Love Sister Clendening

Letter excerpts from September 12th

Yes yes I am getting transferred. And its going to be crazy. I got my hair cut by the best best nicest hair cutting lady that I've ever been to. To tell you how thorough and good she is, it took an hour and 15 minutes to trim my hair and put the tapering/layering back in that she had done before. Wow. its awesome.

But! yes Sister Grenfell's grandpa passed away so she really wanted to make sure we got time to email...so hence we came here right after. Now don't get too worries...but I haven't packed anything yet. I've kind of got things laid out...out of my drawers...but nothing in the suit cases. hahaha. I always procrastinate packing.

This transfer i received a wonderful call! I am being doubled into the Summitt Ward in the Lakewood stake  (the Lakewood zone) hehehe so its still pretty close to Tacoma. I will be training a new missionary and so yep! That means LOTS of work for me and responsibility but I am so looking forward to doing whatever I can to make a change! If I think about it as the world would think about it, I would be scared-a NEW companion who doesn't know anything plus me not knowing anything, but I know that the Lord will strengthen me and I know that He has been preparing me! When I was doubled into sunset, sister fox was sick a lot. so...I think I was forced to learn to work on my own. But happy to say I've learned since then how to be responsible for the outcomes but still work with someone else. That might not make sense, but just know that the Lord has taught me so much while I've been here. 

I feel humbled and honored to serve the Lord in the capacities that He has given me. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!!!!!

I will be moving into a new apartment. I am excited for that! I haven't lived in an apartment since the beginning of my mission! woot woot!

gotta go but love you tons!

Letter Excerpts from September 26th

Dear Family:

We had a lot of meeting in Tacoma this week. Training for sister Daines and also training for the new mormon.org media blitz that will be hitting the Tacoma area soon. It is so crazy the things that the Brethren are doing now. They said the devil has had control of the Internet for so long and its time to take it back. I will soon be making a profile. I encourage all of you to do the same.

How many of you have done any of my challenges? I asked you to read the book of Mormon, to share personal insights from it, to make a mormon.org profile...anything like that been done? hmmmm.

OH!! before I forget!!! My new house address is:

11421 A St. S. #206

Tacoma, WA 98444

Send me letters at your pleasure and mine:)

My companion's name is sister Daines. It is so interesting....the Lord sends us on missions...and what is the role of a missionary? to teach and to baptize. No more complicated than that. Well When it comes to teaching, the spirit only helps you as much as you are prepared for his help. In preaching the gospel that comes easy because you study it for an hour on your own, but for teaching another person how to teach or how to work with integrity and the desire that the lord gives...that takes knowing how to repent and use the Atonement. You would think that teaching must be such an important skill if the Lord sends us out to learn how to teach. What are the effects of teaching? Will we ever know all of them? So much of what we do in the church is

Well now I've just been rambling.

We went to the beach today. elder Gilles touched a jelly fish. hahaha like over and over. We had thrown a rock and thought it was pinned down..so in attempt to save it...we learned that it was fine..but probably just dying anyway. We held star fish. More crabs. but I didnt' eat any this time. Bahahah we ran down the train tracks like fugitives after scampering down this drop off. much fun.

We are still working with that wonderful little family who came to church. We showed them the book of Mormon but they weren't able to come to church this week because the mom was sick, she just had a baby.

It has started raining again. yay! I am pretty exhausted right now... maybe we will get to go home and take a rest.

What are the things you need for repentance? You need time, a law, and a punishment. This earth is our probationary time. Christ is the law. He was broken so that he could give us a law. The law of Christ is the law we can live. He is merciful and ever   faithful. Like a lam before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He had all the power of heaven and earth and directed it all in our behalf, making a propitiation for the laws that we break. I am so humbled by this great Man. He Is the Son of God. He has all power in heaven and earth and in death and hell. He is my King. I am not perfect. He knows this and has given me laws that I can keep. Be willing to remember him. As I take his name upon me each week and feel the atonement give me a new start, I Do have his spirit to be with me always. It is that spirit that gives me hope and power.

I love the book of Mormon. spend time with it. It will teach you and change you. It will be the greatest relief you can find from the world of hate and revenge. You have two forces to work against: the natural man and the devil. Both forces of entropy and evil must be overcome. Share with your friends and family how to overcome them both. Many of the world only knows about overcoming one. We need to fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to fully overcome them both. The covenants and ordinances directed under the priesthood authority of God and sealed by the holy spirit of promise change our humanly natures into something God like. I know Christ is the mediator of the new and everlasting covenant. He has prepared a way for each of us to leave this frail existence and come unto him. That we may each do this I pray to God the Almighty Father in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Letter excerpts from October 3rd

Dearest loved ones,

The work in this area of the world is AMAZING! As a mission we have a goal set and fixed upon to reach 200 baptisms in the month of October. We are working very hard and the Lord  is pouring out blessings. The little family that Sis D and I are teaching are progressing so well! The dad is a little behind on the desire, but the mother and daughter are on fire and know it. I am so excited. Please pray that we may help them make covenants this weekend.

Another boy named Marlo* is so brilliant. If you have seen Russell crow in a beautiful mind, he reminds me of him. He is SO intelligent. It is crazy. He heard a voice in answer to his prayer but is now in doubt. He is in desperate need of love. His home life is burdensome. We were strongly impressed as we studied how we could help him that we need to show him love. I pray for Charity! Just like conference said, this is a ministry of the Saviors love. We teach, but we also spread love. This world is in short supply of this, but it is  the essence of happiness.

*name changed for privacy

I am so grateful that my family has love one for another. I love you with all the busy missionary in me. you are the most important part of my life and I know that you can be part of my life forever because Christ is the center of my life. Read the Book of Mormon. I have personally experienced the promise from pres Eyring that your ability to testify of Christ is enhanced by study of that book. it is the key to a happy heart. I love you all. I love the Savior. I love being His servant!!!!!

we went to mt rainier.

love love sister C

August 2011

Good bye to Sister Gandolph 

Good bye to Sister Lyles! 

 Emily's newest companion: Sister Grenfell

Summer pictures

 New Mission President Weaver, Sister Lyles and Sister Clendening

The note taped to the window of the Sister's car: by two 10 yr old boys, asking if the Sisters liked them. 

Interaction between Sister Lyles and Sister Clendening

More Summer Pictures from 2011

 Sister Lyles and Sister Clendening

 Sister Lyles break-dancing

 Sister Lyles, Sister Clendening and Sister Gandolf

 President and Sister Bowen with Sister Clendening

More Pictures from Summer 2011

 Emily and Sister Fox

 Sister Mayfield, with Sister Clendening and Sister Fox

 Sister Clendening with Sister Mayfield

 Sister Clendening with Sister Mayfield

 Sister Field and Sister Clendening (not one of her companions-just another missionary)

 Sister Lyles, Sister Clendening and President Bowen