be an example.

Today I traveled back to California for Thanksgiving! I prepared myself by putting some pass along cards in my backpack in case I happened to sit by someone on the plane who could use one. Well, I was fortunate to have someone sitting right in front of us who was Catholic AND from Pleasanton! It was the first time ever meeting him but we had a mutual friend in common. His wife grew up in Utah which is why they decided to raise their family there (more specifically, Salt Lake City). The thought ran through my mind that this could be a great opportunity to give him a pass along card! However...it just didn't feel right.

After landing in California, we needed to make a trip to the Apple Store to get my computer fixed. My brother also wanted to get an upgrade on his iPhone which led to another unexpected opportunity to talk to someone about the church. The guy who was helping us ALSO used to live in Utah - more specifically, Cedar City. At that point my daddy had left to make a call to AT&T about a payment we needed to make before we could purchase the phone. I thought really hard who I knew from Cedar City and then it hit me..."you don't by chance know a Jazzy Barney do you?" Yup. He did. I told him that I served my mission with Sister Barney and he said how he was just thinking about her the other day because he noticed that she put some mission pictures up. He was super chill and asked some really great questions. I thought about giving him a pass along card as well but remembered how he made a comment about not liking "pushy" people. Again, it didn't feel right.

In both situations I wanted to give them a pass along card but I felt like the spirit was telling me to just be an example. Giving them a pass along card was a great thought but it wasn't the best approach for these two situations. I still can't explain it...but I'm grateful I followed the promptings I received and because I did, I tried even harder to be mindful of the words I used when talking to them. One asked me why I joined the church and instead of just pouring my testimony to him I felt like I just needed to come to his level to share it in a way that he would respond to. And, it worked.

love,
Liv

three months.

I seriously cannot believe that I have only been home for three months. It feels so much longer. Every time I see a new missionary coming home from my mission I feel older...and older...and older. Sadly my last companion won't come home until around my year mark...I miss her so much! As I think about the past three months, I'm happy with where I'm at. I feel like I've really taken the counsel of my two mission presidents on how to apply the mission to my every day life. They told me that the commitments I extended to people every day such as reading the scriptures, praying, attending the temple, going to church, living the Word of Wisdom, etc should all be the same commandments I'm committing myself to live when I go home. One thing that I know that I need to do better on is my scripture study. I do it every day out of habit but...I don't necessarily do it out of desire. That's my goal for this next month - study the scriptures, don't just read them!

Here is a video of some of my memories from the mission. My mission was seriously the best decision of and for my life. I cannot imagine my life without it. I cannot imagine raising a family without the knowledge I gained from my mission. I needed to go on a mission in order to learn all of those valuable lessons for myself. Missions are just an incredible experience to know and to learn the type of life our Heavenly Father wants us to live. You learn so much about the Gospel and how to relate it to everyday conversation. You learn and experience all of the Christlike attributes and your flaws are definitely shown through the process. But I think most importantly a stronger, indescribable relationship is established between you and the Savior, Jesus Christ. I loved my mission so much. Not a day goes by when I don't think about it. It has changed my life and it continues to bless my life. I love being able to be a member missionary and to help missionaries in their efforts!

love,

Liv

to go, or not to go. that is the question.

Whenever I talk to a girl who is preparing for her mission I get so excited for her! I always think back on when I heard the announcement of the age change and how that completely changed my entire mission. I assumed there would be so many more girls going on missions but I never imagined the impact it would make on all of the missions around the world! Of course, my opinion is that every girl should go on a mission! However, I also know that a mission isn't for every girl. So...how do you know if it's the right thing for you? I found this article and I invite you to read it if you are trying to find that answer for yourself!

https://www.lds.org/youth/article/for-young-women-making-the-mission-decision?cid=HPTU111913171&lang=eng

Sisters, make sure you pray about it. It's a big decision to serve a mission! It's incredibly hard but so rewarding at the same time. It's not the time to travel the world and feel like you're at EFY again - it's a lot of work. But, don't let that scare you either. Don't choose not to go on a mission because you feel like it would be too hard. You'd be surprised how much you can do when you're a servant of the Lord.

"The qualities that will help you be a successful missionary include following and teaching with the Spirit, loving others, obeying the commandments, developing Christlike attributes, working hard, and serving others. These qualities will not only bless you if you decide to serve a mission, but they'll also help you serve the Lord in your home and in the Church throughout your life. Remember that you'll have divine help to develop these gifts of the Spirit when you pray for them and work toward them."

love,
Liv

Elder Ortega.

Emilio!!! He FINALLY got his mission call! He is going to be serving in the California Long Beach Mission and reports March 12th! I AM SO EXCITED FOR HIM! He is an amazing example of someone who truly converted to the gospel. He goes out with the missionaries multiple times during the week, brings his non-member friends to church activities or baptisms, and a million other things! He is such an example to me and I cannot WAIT to read about his wonderful experiences from his mission. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father led us to Emilio and that I was able to watch him progress in the gospel. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

love,
Liv

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father.

I know that our Heavenly Father, God, loves us each individually in a capacity that is not comprehendible. He is mindful of our lives because He knows our plan during this time here on Earth. He may be far, but through prayer He can feel right next to you. Do you feel like you may not know who God is? Do you want to know who He is? Visit mormon.org where you can learn! Also, a good way to learn about God is by going to church. Visit here to find a chapel near your home! Whenever I am home in California, feel free to come with me! 

love,

Liv