This week was a 360. Drop dead stellar.

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday which was unreal. It was half of the mission so it was good to see all my homies for sure. But at a couple points of the (9 hour) meeting it was just straight revelation after revelation I swear my hand was twitching by the end. The spirit was so incredible!!!!

Here's a couple things the Holy Ghost told me that I thought was pretty cool:

-Faith is power. Faith is power because what we put our faith in is all powerful. If we understand the nature of God, the timing of God, and the reason behind weaknesses, our faith should never falter in the midst of hardships. My homeboy President Eyring once said something like, "The foundation of faith must be embedded in our hearts or the power to endure will crumble." (love that man) 

-Trials are seriously a blessing. We want God to trust us but when He sends us what we think are trials or hard things it really is that He trusts us on the new plane of tasks to accomplish. Like Nephi, he was asked to do hard things back to back to back... on an upward slope of progressions and accomplishments. So TOGETHER they accomplished much good-- even though it wasn't smooth sailin'. It isn't anything we do that qualifies us for the work but it is what God can accomplish THROUGH US that is why he requires much from us. 

Hard things and trials are the biggest blessing God can give us. They are not a punishment. They are proof that God trusts us and sees us on a higher playing field.

So ya good stuff.

We saw a lot of little miracles this week so I want to share one. 

We were calling up this investigator that the elders in our ward gave us like a month ago. We didn't have any luck getting in contact with him because elders' handwritting is awful and we thought it said 9 but it was a 4...

So we figured that out and called him and he answered! We asked him if he wanted to meet with us and learn more about Jesus and.... he laughed and hung up... cool. I was just laughing because people are savages and it's hard to love them sometimes. But then right after that we got a call. 

A couple weeks earlier we got a referral from Church Headquarters that someone requested a Book of Mormon! We tried by their house 3 times with no luck so we left the Book of Mormon with a note and our number. 

She actually called us, booya. She's 19, has 0 religious background, and has a friend on a mission in South Korea so she wanted to check out what Mormons are all about. We went by Friday and she had already read the intro, testimonies, and the first 4 chapters! We taught her the Restoration and talked about the Book of Mormon and how she can know it is true. It was pretty dope and she's super ready, so holla :) She's in YSA age but we hecka don't want to give her up so we're going to snatch her up and teach her a little longer (lol oops)

This week was rad and God is so so so good people. Also a good week because Halloween is approaching which is THE BEST HOLIDAY!!! So have the best week and spook little kids' out and eat massive amounts of sugar for me! 

Love you all mucho,

Sister C Dohner

 What's Good my Neighbas!

 

So these past weeks have been some of the hardest but most cherished of my mission--and maybe my life.

My last area was happy Mormon Valley with nice things oozing out of their ears and with people treating us like royalty and a pretty consistent feeling of love and familiarity. We rolled into my new area with bums on the corners, Budweiser factory off the exit, inappropriate billboards by our apartment and a California State University across the street. Ya I don't quite feel like the Great and Spacious building is across the street anymore... the iron rod is going straight through it.

THANK YOU SR/Valencia Area!!

 

I've had a hard couple of weeks, I won't lie. And training a new missionary again means there's eyes on me always. I always have to be an example and have a good attitude and I don't want to show weakness or ask for help. Which is hard when the reality of everything hits you square in the eyeball and you don't even have raw steak to soothe the swelling. So, I am truly learning what sincere prayer really means. I have spent A LOT of time on my knees-- because He's all I got.

I have a lot to say but a lot of it is really sacred to my heart so I will save it for another time but I do want to share a few scriptures that turned my whole attitude around..

John 16: 12,22,33:

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I have a sure testimony that God is mindful of every person and that He truly does show His love for us continually. We may not have all the answers now, but I find comfort in the constant assurances that the Man I put my faith in does know and cares for me enough to send His son to feel all of my pains so I would never feel alone. I have felt and I continue to feel the physical manifestation of the Holy Ghost, The Comforter, in my being and I know it is sent from my Father in Heaven to help me understand His love.

Oh and I met a Holocaust survivor last week and she told us some stories and she kissed my cheek. It was a good time. She's 90 years old!

I love you all so so so much and I really do feel your prayers. Thank you for being beauts. Have a fab week!

Love,

Sister Chelsea Dohner 

Cheers to the Mortensen/Framptons. Here's my Caramel Apple Cheer to you!

 

YO HOODRAT GIRL IS GOIN TO THE VALLEY!!!

Transfers are nuts. And especially nuts this time around because President is mixing the Spanish and English into the same zones and changing a lot of the areas! So due to that I will be white washing a new area down in the valley and training a new missionary :) #smilyfacebutactuallystressed

It's sad to say bye to the SR (Stevenson Ranch). I've seriously met some of the best people in the world and made life long friendships with the people here. I can truly say that the mission doesn't need me, I need the mission!

It's all sorts of sadness and anxiety, but I am excited for a change :)

This week was a whirlwind.

I gave my last Zone Training in Valencia on what qualifies us for the work and spiritual gifts.

I just had a scary prompting of having Sister F. and I start the training by pointing out all of our struggles and weaknesses... We went back and forth and mentioned about 3 or 4 really personal struggles we face and how God knows we struggle with that. Then we talked about how God knows ALL of our shortcomings, weaknesses, and obstacles that get in the way but He still calls us to the work. I think at times we try to make excuses or try to counsel God on what we think we can handle but really, He knows. He is aware. And that is why He pushes us to become better and recognize and develop the spiritual gifts He has given us. Then we went around and wrote everyone else's spiritual gifts that we see in them... sounds like in Mean Girls when they do the confession/trust/fall exercise but it really was cool I promise-- hahaha. 

And ya we all know General Conference was swag so I don't need to mention anything else but ARE YOU KIDDING ME-- WE ARE LED BY THE BEST MEN!! That's a testimony in itself that this Church is true. I am excited to re-read and study a lot of the amazing talks given to us from God through His chosen servants. 

 

I want you all to know that I love being out here. I don't love being out here because it's all fun and definitely not because I'm teaching a lot and then immediately seeing the effects of my mission-- because I'm not. I love being out here because I love the person I am becoming. I love being tried every single day in order for me to remember how much God loves me through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love being out here because I am set apart from the world and get to focus on what really matters. I love being out here because I get to strengthen my testimony on the first two Great Commandments. It's hard, but it's worth it.

I love you all~

Your Fav Sista Missionary