Hello:)

What a week! I must say I LOVE being a missionary during the holidays! You truly are focusing on the real meaning of Christmas and having a fun time doing it! Monday night we went out with a family caroling. They are an amazing talented family with a bunch of kids. It made our Christmas season awesome! Tuesday we had a District Christmas Party and made our awesome ugly sweaters...the letters are the initial of our last name. I guess in Harry Potter he gets a Christmas sweater for his first Christmas away from home. I'm not sure the whole deal:) Anyways it was a great time watching the Elders sew their letters and enjoy our hot chocolate. Christmas Eve day we went to our usual care center then, as a district, we spent the afternoon caroling to less-actives and investigators in our areas. Caroling can be so awkward! We had a Blast though! Then that night we ended in Colfax at a members home having a Christmas Eve party and enjoying dinner and the nativity. Christmas Day we went and Skyped our families at our Ward Mission Leaders home! It was really good to see them and hear them! Then we watched their kids open their presents. We went to R's(Recent Convert) for dinner and spent some time with her and her daughter. (cutest family!) Then we went to an investigators home for another dinner. We spent some more time at the Care Center singing carols and having some fun while. We went back to our WML's house and played games with the kids....whoever thought of Ward Fish was a genius! Thanks from the missionaries! Friday was weekly planning! It was so nice and warm outside, and since our heater is broken,it was hotter outside then inside so we planned on our porch, on a couch, and got a nice little sunburn on my face:) #caliweather

We made a goal during weekly planning to see every active family within the next 2 weeks, so that's what we have been doing...gaining ward trust and unity! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to a new year! Don't look back!

My new favorite quote!

"The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change" -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

I love you all! May we all become a little better this next year!

Love,

Sister Reber

 

 

Merry Christmas!

It's a wonderful day to be alive here in California! The sun in shining, it's nice and warm, and it's the wonderful Christmas season. This week has been great! Here is the highlights of my week.

~Transfers were this week and although we weren't getting transferred we were right in the middle of it. We had to drive another Sister's car down to the mission office and transfer all their stuff. 

~One of our investigators, Colleen, is doing awesome! She is trying to quit smoking and doing a good job. She is planning on getting baptized in January. 

~We went to the ward's Relief Society activity and had a very fun time. It was fun to spend time in a home environment and do some singing. 

~Lots of service this week. We had our weekly care center fun. This week I helped a lady, that cant hear and I have to write everything on a white board, make one of those window hanging things. That was pretty fun. We also went and helped paint some things for the young women. Went to a different care center with the district and helped them decorate for their Christmas dinner...can you say fancy! We might as well start a decorating service! 

~Our ward party was this week and we had a lot of non-member and less-actives there. We were in charge of the program and that was fun. 

~We had our tri-zone Christmas Devotional! AWESOME!!! We have some amazing talented missionaries. The spirit was so strong and I am so very thankful to be on my mission during this Christmas Season. My favorite quote from President Marston "Our tradition is to get our grand kids pajamas every year...I can't even begin to imagine what sizes you all would wear". We truly all feel like family here and it's great! 

~Sister Phelps tried riding a unicycle this week. With me holding her up and her pulling Elder McGuffy's hair...she managed to get in a few turns. Keep in mind this was in the dark and in the rain. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christ centered Christmas! 

Love,

Sister Reber

It's rainin...not men!

Good Afternoon!

It's good to be alive and I'm thankful to be here in Auburn California! Transfer calls came in last night...and I will be staying here in Auburn with Sister Phelps. We have seven strong weeks ahead of us before I ship her back to Utah. We are excited and ready to see miracles. 

This week has had it's ups and downs. Always more ups then downs though. I have been beating myself up this week about dumb little things but it's a new week and I have a good companion that helped me through it. We saw so much success this week! This is the highest numbers we have had since I've been here in Auburn. 

Here are some of the highlights from my week:

-P-day we took the other sisters in our Zone to Old Auburn. This place is sweet. It has a bunch of old shops and stuff. We had a really fun time with them. 

-There are 2 boys here that have really stood at to me since I have been here. Their mom is a less active member and they are non-members. This week we went over to their house and had an awesome lesson with them! The boys really never talked but this lesson they talked the whole time. They were more engaged then their mom and they kept thanking us for coming. I'm excited to keep working with them. 

-Our district did a service project for a thrift shop. They sell stuff and raise the money for women and children that have been abused. This last week the whole store flooded ,because of the rain storms, so we moved everything in the store to storage units. Service is so fun when you have great people to work with. 

-Zone Meeting was great! We focused all on Christlike attributes. The spirit was very strong and we learned a lot about each individual in our Zone. 

-We were able to go see Dave again. He has his up and down days. Sometimes he isn't completely with it, which is sad, but it's always fun to talk with him. His positive attitude always makes me feel better. 

-We had an awesome lesson with our new investigator Talisia. She is an African American lady and she is a hoot! We went in with the plans to teach the Restoration and the spirit totally told us otherwise. Cool thing is Sister Phelps and I both new what to talk about without even saying anything to each other.

-It has been raining here all week long. Thursday was pretty bad so we got stuck inside and weekly planned. It was fun to watch the rain though. 

-I went on exchanges with the Sisters. I went to their area with Sister Alvarez. What an awesome missionary. Their car got rear-ended last week so they are driving around a minivan! Never would I think I would ride around in one of them on my mission. We had a great time and taught some great lessons. 

-There was an event at the Stake Center this weekend. They set up the gym with all different nativities from around the world, the chapel has music going on from different choirs in the community, live nativity, a room for kids to dress up and take pictures in the nativity, a testimony room, and more stuff I'm forgetting. What a cool idea! We were able to go with the Casey's a recent convert couple. 

Overall a great week!

I'm thankful for this opportunity to be on a mission! It truly is the best thing I have ever done! I love the people here in California and more then anything the testimony I have received. This gospel is true! 

President Boyd K. Packer said "We seek to strengthen the testimonies of the young and old, the married and single. We need to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to men, and children, those of every race and nationality, the rich and the poor. We need the recent convert and those among our numbers descended from the pioneers. We need to seek out those who have strayed and assist them to return to the fold. We need everyone's wisdom and insight and spiritual strength. Each member of this Church as an individual is a critical element of the body of the Church."

God needs you on His team! Join the force! 

Love,

Sister Reber

 

 

Meet Dave!

Hello!

I don't have a lot of time today but here is some thing I've learned this week. 

Meet Dave! Dave is a recent convert that was baptized two days before I got to Auburn. Dave lost his leg and is now struggling with being in and out of the hospital due to strokes. This man is amazing! His positive attitude shines when most of us would sit in the hospital room and cry. If Dave can do it....we can do hard things too! 

In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven!

 “The fault . . . is not in our stars, but in ourselves” (William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.[D&C 78:17–18]
I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, . . . and mine angels [shall be] round about you, to bear you up. [D&C 84:88]
The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. [D&C 78:18]
This week has been great! The director of proselyting and technology came to our mission. What an awesome conference. If I had more time I would love to tell you all about it.
I love you all!!
Love,
Sister Reber

Pictures: Dave and I, Dave...thumbs up!!(Isn't his shirt great!), sister phelps laughed at me because I had to stop and take a picture of this perfect cow, on a perfect green pasture, with a perfect fence...."it's an ag thing..,you wouldn't understand phelps!" Haha

"He is the Gift"

Good Afternoon Family & Friends,

What a great day it is! The sun is shining..not too hot...not too cold! I hope all of you have been able to see the new "He is the Gift" video put out by the church. If not...you better get to it:) This is a great tool in doing member missionary work! You should each have received 9 pass-along cards in Decembers Ensign. I would encourage you so pass those out and watch the miracles happen! I have noticed that it is so much easier to talk about a new video that came out, as to, talking about the gospel in general. People seem a lot more receptive. It's all over the internet! Share it on Facebook! My challenge this week, for you, is to go to christmas.mormon.org and click the print page. Fill it out, put it on Facebook, and you can even tag me in it! I can't wait to hear you miracles, please share them with me! 

 

 I just wanted to share with you some of the miracles we had this week with the "He Is The Gift" video and pass along cards. 
1.On Thanksgiving, we had some extra time where we didn't have a members house to go to so we went to a local park and chalked on the side walk. The next day I had the prompting to go to the dog park close by our Apartment and chalk their. As we were drawing SO MANY people stopped and talked to us. It was amazing because we didn't have to say anything to them, they just stopped to watch us and then we talked to them, gave them pass along cards, talked about our role as missionaries, and invited them to learn more. We even resolved some beliefs about Mormons and polygamy. That night it rained and washed all of the chalk away but it served its purpose for the time!
2. We stopped by a less-active mans home. He have stopped by there a few times but he has never let us in and was quick to getting us to leave. This time we shared the video to him on his door step. After the video was over he asked us to come in and give him the website so he could show his family the video. 
3.We were walking to contact a less-active and as we were walking, there was a man on the opposite side of the street. We said "hello" and he started walking over towards us. We asked him how he was doing and he let out a bunch of concerns he was having! He definitely needed someone to talk to. He went to college in Utah years ago and had talked to missionaries and had member friends. We shared with him the video and we was so happy. He got the website from us and gave us his address to go back and teach him. 
Our ward is taking in all the chances they can get. The ward council decided to give out all 9 of their pass-along cards in 2 weeks. We are excited to see more and more miracles come about this Christmas season. 

Thanksgiving was great! I wasn't expecting holidays as a missionary to be so fun...but they are the best! So our Thanksgiving was a non-proselyting day so in the morning we had a service project. We went to our church building and cleaned it then we went to a local park, with some of the Elders in our district, and chalked about he is the gift, we had thanksgiving with the D family and also our recent convert, R. I must say I was pretty sick after eating two thanksgiving meals in 3 hours! It was worth it to be with their families though. Thanksgiving night we did our weekly planning and that was it. Great time! 

I hope you all have a fantastic week! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Our District

 CHALKING!

Give Thanks!

Smile it's a Beautiful Day!
Isn't it a great day? If not... You better make it that way! As President Hinkley always said "life is to be enjoyed, not just endured!" This week Sister Phelps and I have been focusing on the little things, the miracles, and seeing the positive in everything! We have had such a great week! There were some pits but a whole lot more peaks!
This week we were able to spend a few hours doing yard work with an awesome less active. It's  Mandarin Orange season now, and for your information....Utah "cutie oranges" have nothing on the good California stuff! (I may just stay in California forever...I'm so addicted to all this fresh fruit!) But back to the story! We found the perfect looking orange and Sister Phelps told me this awesome story/I don't know what you would call it..
"CONSIDER THE ORANGE"
A tree, that is naturally growing upon the earth produces naturally this round vegetation.
You and I can pick off these products and see that they fit into the palm of our hand.
Whose hand? Our hand! It was made for us!
It has a layer around it so as to keep the contents within fresh, protected and delicious so that we can consume it! We can eat it! It was made for us!
You peel off that outer layer and see there is multiple bite size pieces! What size pieces? Bite size! It was made for us!
Each of those bite size pieces has another protective layer around it to make it convenient for us to pull apart, and not get our hands sticky, throw into our mouth and delight in the taste while it
provides us with multiple necessary vitamins we need to survive!
IT WAS MADE FOR US!
Within the Orange, most often are seeds. That when planted can bring forth another tree to carry on the same process. All coming forth naturally from the earth!
Man has never been able to create something so miraculous and simple. This orange, as well as other wonders here on the earth were given by a loving God, who is our Heavenly Father, to us! Everything that has been made is for us! He loves us. This earth was created by him, for us! There is no better, more loving, knowledgeable, understanding and powerful being than your loving Heavenly Father. Consider the Orange and remember it is all for you."  -Mike McKinnon

We truly do have so much! "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."
D&C 78:19
A few other highlights from our week...
We went to the B Family's home, which they have a big farm and do Markets with their produce. They are the coolest people ever! Brother B taught me how to read the sugar percentage in fruit. I was thrilled to learn new agriculture stuff! I also ate a Roasted Fire Ant! Nasty!!! They are a delicacy in Peru. I was brave and ate it plain! Brother B bragged about us to the whole Ward at the ward
party how cool of sister missionaries they have! Haha the things you have to do on a mission!
The Thanksgiving Ward Party was nice! We had a lot of less actives and non members there and it was a good night.
R was Baptized on Saturday! What an awesome experience. The spirit was so strong at her baptism and her family was able to be there. R is the last one in her family to get baptized and now they are
working towards going to the temple as a family. Such a cool experience. Just a side note. Last week we were teaching R and she shared her testimony on how she found out that God was real. I was in
shock!! As I listened to her story it started sounding more and more like the experience I had. As tears filled my eyes I knew I was sent here to help teach R. It's such an amazing blessing to be on a mission. Her confirmation was a spiritual experience for all. As she sat down to be confirmed, in front of the ward, she started tearing up. Her blessing was amazing, led by the spirit, and boy does she has an amazing life ahead of her. She stood up and looked at the ward and said "wow, that
is happiness!" I'm so blessed to be on a mission!

I hit my half way mark! 9 months have gone way to fast!
Family and Friends I'm so thankful for this life on earth, for every day we get to wake up and see Gods creatures, and to know each one of you! Thank you all for the support and encouragement!
Love,
Sister Reber

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

 -Celebrating 9 months at Mongolian BBQ for the first time

 -Hump Day!! 9 Months:)

 -Sister Hänninen(was able to come back for the baptism)R, Me, and Sister Phelps. Happy time!

 -Our Truck....his name is Lance Kelly!

 -Fire Ants!

 -Zone Meeting with President Marston!

Good Afternoon!

Good Afternoon!!
I hope this email finds you all well and happy! I am so happy today and so grateful to be on a mission! This week has been a lot of hard work but fun! Last Tuesday I took Sister Hänninen to the mission office and got Sister Phelps. Not only a new companion BUT....I got a brand new blue truck! I didn't even have to beg! They love me that much;) Sister Phelps is awesome! We hit it off right away! She is from West Valley, Utah ,been out 15 months, and just fun! She is an all out exerciser and wants to be a personal trainer. Don't worry I'm still alive....just way sore! I have my own personal trainer and it's great! Haha.

This week Sister Phelps and I have made a lot of goals for our time here in Auburn, went around meeting a lot members, spent some time with the Bishop, and just got excited about being here together. We work really well together and have a lot of new ideas we have came up with.

Wednesday we went to the care center...nothing too funny happened this week! Same sweet little old people!
Thursday we had our Zone meeting. It went great! We taught a little and the rest of the missionaries bore testimony! It was so great and the spirit was strong!

Friday we went to the temple. Sister Phelps had a recent convert going to do Baptisms of the Dead and went to watch. What a cool experience! E is 71 years old and super tall! He was baptized for his brother. I have never felt the spirit so strong in the baptismal room. He was smiling ear to ear! That's what a mission is all about! It's not seeing them in white at their baptism, that's just the first step,
seeing them in the temple is when you see the success!
R is getting baptized this week and we are very excited for that! She is very excited for this next step in her life. She is such an awesome women!
Well it's time to get to work!
I love you all and thanks for all the support and encouragement!
Love,
Sister Reber

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
Psalms 95:1-3

 Look who I found! Elder Avery!! What an awesome Elder!

 Sister Phelps and I at the temple.

Smile!

Hello Family and Friends! 

It's been such a good week! Transfer calls came last night and Sister Hännanen will be leaving me. She is going back to her greenie area for her last 5 weeks. She is super excited and has been a hoot to listen to all morning. I'm getting a new companion, Sister Phelps, which I know nothing about but I am super excited to meet her. 

This week I was able to go see the H family, from my last area, go through the temple! It was such an awesome experience. President Marston always says "We shouldn't think of the people we teach in white at their baptism but wearing white in the temple." I can honestly say it is one of the greatest feelings being the the celestial room with people you have come to love. They were shining and so happy! It was great to see the Palo Cedro Ward as well. 

So here's another care center story! This week we were teaching M. G wanted to listen too. We started talking about prophets and President Monson. She wanted to see a picture of him so I showed her. She holds my iPad, looks at him, and starts talking to him! "Let me look into your eyes...you sure your called of God." "Why is your hand fisted?" "What's that grin on your face...you look too happy to be a prophet." Haha she is a hoot! These care center people are the best! 

Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Sister Reber 

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God

Good Afternoon Family and Friends, 

 

It has been a great week! I don't have much time to write today but...this week I have had a few things on my mind. This week during our time at the care center I had some interesting conversations. One of them was with a man that asked me "Am I dead?" And said "No, you're alive" and the conversation went on. Later I looked over and he was praying. His prayer was so simple. He was asking God for help to get through this time in his life. 

Another man, that never talks, came and sat by me. As I asked questions, not expecting an answer, he started to talk. He started talking about how beautiful it was outside and how warm it was. I didn't say anything for a few minutes and noticed he was looking at me. I asked "what are you doing?" He smiled and said "looking at you" ...."you are beautiful". My heart was filled. 

As I thought about these conversations over the week, these conversations with men that probably won't be on this earth for much longer, it reminded me of what really matters in life. The knowledge of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation, thanking and recognizing God for the little things in life, and treating others with a great respect. I am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity to be on a mission and the things I learn everyday. 

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

D&C 18:10

A few other of this weeks highlights:

-Came upon a car accident, called 911, and well it's along story.

-Zone Blitz in Grass Valley. The whole zone went to Grass Valley and spent the day there doing missionary work. Contacting mostly less actives. We saw a lot of success from it. 

-Interview with President went great. 

-Halloween night was spent weekly planning but we got one trick-or-treater. 

-I have now had a physiological reasoning for my personality...as well as the rest of the zone. We took color personality tests a few weeks ago and had fun figuring out about each other. 

Sorry it's a boring letter this week. Love you all!

Love,

Sister Reber 

Photos- A cute family made us "Sister Missionary" cookies. 

Our CRM pumpkin. 

Today's the day!

It's a beautiful day here in Auburn! The sun is shining, it's about 70 degrees, and it's P-day! 

Let me start off with some quotes from this week.....

"Ohh honey...you're going to have a good lookin hubby"- Betty from the Care Center(favorite lady now;))

"I want to be a fish cleaner when I grow up!"- 7 year old boy in our Ward

"Sisters you are on lockdown until further notice!" - Zone Leaders

"You're mormon?"...."ooooh" - Gloria( in a different care center)

It's been quite an adventurous week! Monday we went to a pumpkin patch with our awesome district, had a great time. 

We have been going through our area book and cleaning it up, contacting Potentials and less-actives. I had an embarrassing moment this week when I knocked on a less-actives house and the first thing I said was "Hi, we're the sister missionaries..." (Awkward pause)...."how long have you been a member of the church?" Nice job Sister Reber😒 ! We had quite the laugh for a few hours about that. 

Tuesday we had an awesome District Meeting and came up with a plan on how to use iPads in planning more effectively and how to be better planners. That night we went to contact a less active and parked at the end of their "drive way" ended up hiking in the pitch dark about 1/2 mile uphill...we only fell into a few pot holes:) 

Wednesday we volunteer at a care center and help in their "activity room". There are some awesome people there. Most of them either have dementia or Alzheimers. I was studying this week and came across a talk that talked about our knowledge we gain. Even if we forget it all on this earth it will still come back to us in heaven. So....we should always continue to learn. And that's the cool things about helping the people at the care center.

Thursday morning we started volunteering at the local food shelter. It was very fun working with all the people there. The Elders and I bagged candy for 3 hours straight...and as boring as that sounds...it was a blast! 

Friday was a very interesting day! We had weekly planning and we were planning in our apartment when we heard tons of cop sirens. We went outside and saw 4 helicopters. Basically short story... We were in the middle of a manhunt and got put on lockdown all day. There was 2 police officers killed here and it was pretty scary. That has been the hot topic everywhere we go. 

Saturday night we had a ward Halloween party. 

It's been a great week and miracles are happening! 

Love you all! 

Sister Reber 

 Missionary thought for a missionary minded person! 

What is the proper relationship between members and full-time missionaries?

Elder Bednar said, “We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!

“If you and I would truly pray and ask in faith, as did Joseph Smith [see Joseph Smith--History 1:10–20]--if we would pray with the expectation to act and not just to express--then the work of proclaiming the gospel would move forward in a remarkable way.”

Good Afternoon

Family and Friends, 

Think for a moment about this fill in the blank. How would you fill it In? “I have felt the most love from someone when ___________.” Maybe you are like me and have many: they take time out of their lives to spend it with me, I get a random text that shows their thinking about me, or they never give up on me even in the hard times, etc. 

Jesus Christ, Your Savior and brother, came to this earth to be an example for us. In Moroni 7 verses 47-48 we read "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

"Love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. At the end the angry mob took His life. And yet there rings from Golgotha’s hill the words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”--a crowning expression in mortality of compassion and love."*

"There are many attributes which are manifestations of love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness, understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these and other such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts."*

This week we found ourselves looking into a room of a care center. In this room was two women, both in wheelchairs, one struggling to eat and the other talking softly to her and helping her. We were so shocked by this sight, we just sat in the door way for a minute and watched. We've visited this lady, the one helping, many times. Every time we went she had a negative vibe or just rolled her eyes at this other roommate. As we walked into their room we could feel the love they had ACQUIRED for each other. As I thought about this two wonderful women, I thought about my relationships, some people I idiomatically loved and others I had to ACQUIRE. But, I am so thankful for those relationships. Sometimes all it takes is to get to know someone, spend some time with them, and have a desire to want to have a Christlike love for those around you. 

President Spencer W. Kimball said  “We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve. It will do us little good to speak of the general brotherhood of mankind if we cannot regard those who are all around us as our brothers and sisters.”

It has amazed me the people I have come to love on my mission. People I never would have even probably talked to at home. It's been such a blessing to meet people and share the gospel with them. 

How do we gain Charity or the pure love of Christ? Preach My Gospel says "Charity is a gift from God. The prophet Mormon said that we should “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:48). As you follow this counsel and strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase, especially those among whom you labor. You will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. Charity, like faith, leads to action. You will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and give of yourself." 

I'm thankful for all those that have and do show their love to me! I pray that I can do the same! I know with our Saviors help we can overcome our weaknesses and find the love for those people we may not have it for. I invite you to think of someone in your life that you may have a "problem" with and pray for them, get to know them, and love them! 

Dale Carnegie once said "Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.” I know that to be true!

"And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy;

But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;"

3 Nephi 12:43-44

Love,

Sister Reber 

Other fun things this week

-Went to a wedding of a less-active in our Ward. Weddings are quite awkward as a missionary. 

-Went on my first exchange as STL. Sister Patterson and I had a blast in Alta Sierra. We had an awesome spiritual lesson there as well. 

-Today we went to a pumpkin patch with our District. 

-We helped move a family. 

-Sister Hänninen and I made a goal! I quit eating chocolate and she isn't having candy. So far so good. 

Pictures:

-The wonderful women at the care center. Gloria & Murna.

-Wedding crashers! Sister Hänninen, Elder Ewell, me, Elder McGuffy

-District at the Pumpkin patch. Elder Vielstich, Elder Hyde, Sisters, Elder McGuffy, Elder Ewell.

PEAKS, PITS, PRAISES, and PRAYERS!

Hello Family, Friends, and RM's,

What a crazy week! This week I'm going to use the format of PEAKS, PITS, PRAISES, and PRAYERS! After all that is what a mission consists of!

Peaks:
There were SO many peaks this week, but here are a few that stand out.
 -We had an awesome lesson with R. R is a lady we are teaching. Her husband and kids are all members and she has decided to get baptized. She has a date set for next month.
-A lot of you asked if we got to see "Meet the Mormons". We did! Our mission, as well as many other missions, received the dvd before it came out. Missionaries were able to watch it so we could encourage members, and others, to take their friends to go see it. Our Zone was able to watch it on Thursday. It seems like Auburn has been a place of miracles for me! Watching 2 awesome sisters go home and now a third, watching them struggle to go home and not want to leave the mission,
has been a blessing. I couldn't figure out why I didn't feel that way, why I couldn't get into the groove of missionary work, why that day coming down the escalator in the airport was what I was looking
forward to, I wanted to absolutely fall in love with my mission! Watching Meet the Mormons is what did! Watching that Elder get his call, getting ready to leave, and leaving, for some odd reason, made
me fall in love with being on a mission and even thinking about going home made me tear up. I understand the feeling my past companions have had, and I love it!
-J's Baptism! I was able to go back to Palo Cedro, yesterday, for her baptism! I am so grateful I did! 6 hours in the car was totally worth it! There was an amazing spirit there, there was a lot of people
there to support her, and she was glowing! It was a very cool experience. She wasn't even nervous until right before. We went into the chapel and said a prayer with her. It was a very cool experience
with many different missionaries. Just a little history of J. Sister Brewster and I had been tracting for months straight and one day we were prompted to go tract a road. I remember praying that we could
just find someone! Tracting for two or three months straight, I was starting to loose faith(or really didn't have any faith) in it. We started tracting and no one was interested. I told Sister Brewster
"alright let's be done" and she said "one more!" (sadly she must have had more faith in my prayer than I did). We went and knocked on the door and there's Jesse. First thing she says, "come in!". It was history after that! Nothing stopped her! Her testimony is amazing! It was good to be back in Palo Cedro to officially say bye to people, but still hard.

Pits: Got "dominated" by a dog 3 times in one night! What is this?? #forreals

Praises:
-The Anderson Sisters, for taking on the lessons and loving J. They were amazing yesterday and let me into their companionship, getting her ready.
-Amazing friends and family that keep me going! The emails, letters, and prayers! Thanks!

Prayers: My prayers have been full of praying for the people here in Auburn. Some sad things in some people's lives. For me, praying that I can remember all this new stuff, names, and places I am going.

We heed prophetic word even when it may seem unreasonable, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. According to the world’s standards, following the prophet may be unpopular, politically incorrect, or
socially unacceptable. But following the prophet is always right. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
-Live according to the Words of the Prophets-

Thanks for all you each do!
Last week The challenge was to post a conference talk on Facebook or give a referral to your local missionaries, I hope you were good member missionaries and did it! This week is the same challenge...just do the other one!
Till next week,
Love,
Sister Reber

 Sister Comstock(Anderson), J, me, Sister (Lori) Brewster, Sister Alan(Anderson), and Sister (Kelly) Gibbons. All the sisters that taught J, in just a few months.

When we can't find the house number....we look for the trash can!

Hello Family and Friends,

This week has been so fun, exciting, refreshing, and spiritual! Did you just love General Conference? I loved it! So many gospel throw downs! On Saturday, President Uchtdorf said "God cares about you. He will listen. And he will answer your personal questions." I have to admit I didn't prepare for conference like I should have. As I heard President Uchtdorf say those words, I knew if I prayed for inspiration I would receive it. Sunday morning I had questions I wanted answered, things I have been worrying about and I can tell you this....OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ANSWERS PRAYERS. Sunday afternoon session, my questions were answered and my testimony strengthened. 

Auburn is wonderful! I honestly can say that I love it here! The ward members are so missionary minded, the land is beautiful, and the weather is great! My companion is Sister Hänninen, she 23, been out 15 months, and is from Finland. She is so awesome and ...awesome! I have definitely been blessed with great companions. 

This week we had a leadership meeting, had a lady in a nursing home ask us if she could be baptized, a less active couple decided to get sealed in the temple, we have a SWEET zone, and Heavenly Father is blessing me right and left.     

As I have been thinking and praying about what to share with you I came across some scriptures this week that have been on my mind. I'm now in my new area, Auburn. I was very excited to transfer, progress, and do new things. I got just that! I am a STL, driving( in a "city"), trying to remember everyone's names, and trying to change into a better missionary. With all that....I LOVE IT! I have became closer to my Heavenly Father this week, then probably any other. As I pray to my Heavenly Father for help in getting things down, and my amazing companion humbly praying for me every time we pray together, I have been humbled by the love and support my Heavenly Father has given me. He is REAL! 

One of the greatest resources or gift that I have been given is, the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith explained that “baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered. The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness”. When we are confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this important phrase is said: “Receive the Holy Ghost." 

"The simplicity of this ordinance may cause us to overlook its significance. These four words--“Receive the Holy Ghost”--are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction--an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26). The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33). What should we do to make this authorized admonition to seek for the companionship of the third member of the Godhead an ongoing reality? Let me suggest that we need to (1) sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, (2) appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and (3) faithfully obey God’s commandments."

(Receive the Holy Ghost)

This week as I have needed the Holy Ghost as a CONSENT companion, I have learned that we ALWAYS have to be ready for that short, quite moment when the Holy Ghost will speak to us. If we aren't thinking about it....we may miss it! We can't command the Holy Ghost to be with us, but as promised by our Heavenly Father, if we command ourselves to live in a way that the Holy Ghost will be with us. In 1 Nephi 16, we learn about Lehi and his family. In verse 10, "And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness." We know that the Liahona was "God made", pointed Lehi and his family to where they needed to go (unlike a compass which only pointed north), and would not work if they were disobedient. We often hear the Liahona as a spiritual symbol for the Holy Ghost. As we read what Lehi's family had to do for the Liahona to work, it's the same for the Holy Ghost to work in our lives. I know that as we DESIRE to have the Holy Ghost in our lives, INVITE him into our lives, and OBEY ALL the commandments, we will be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. 

Thank you all for your prayers! I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Commitment: Give a referral to your local missionaries OR post your favorite conference quote on Facebook.  

"I want to do what is right when there's no one around. Be a light in the darkness so hope can be found. With faith in my Father I'm leading a fight for the truth." 

New Address on address bar.

The Holy Ghost is free!......you just have to invite Him in.

Leaving Palo Cedro

Hello Family and Friends,


Well I am typing this as Sister Gibbons and I drive down to Antelope to drop her off at the mission office. She will get on the plane in the morning and head home. She has been a great companion and we have made it through the rough spots. 

As for me....
I am headed to Auburn 1st Ward and will be a Sister Training Leader (STL), which is Sister Zone Leaders. I am very excited for this new challenge and opportunity to grow. My new companion is from Finland and has 2 transfers left. Send another sister home?? Why not:) I have no idea about my new area but it will be good.


As for Palo Cedro, the Sisters are taken out. It's sad to see because of how many sisters need them but....God knows what he is doing. I guess Sister Brewster, Sister Gibbons, and I did what needed to be done. President Marston called me last night and said "you WILL be going to J's Baptism and will be teaching her with Anderson
Sisters through Skype. I am sad to leave her this close to her baptism but she will be fine. Elder Van Kammen will be taking over the area with a new companion. He was pretty nervous this morning when I handed him a huge pile of papers....but he will be fine as well!


Last night I went and said goodbye...or see Ya later...to a bunch of people. It was very hard. I made it through most of the day without crying until I got to the S family and cried a little, the H family even worse, and then Sister L.....I tear up even thinking about it! It is amazing how much you come to love someone in a short amount of time.


I officially made it through a Redding, CA summer. I told Heavenly Father I would leave after I saw it rain in Palo Cedro....and He let it happen.

Thank you for all your amazing examples! I love you all and hope you have a great week! Next week will be calmer and I can get a good email out.


Love,
Sister Reber

It's a good day!

Good Morning Family & Friends,

According to the dictionary a commandment = a command = an order or direction. President  Monson once said "Commandments aren't suggestions- they are commandments!" God gives us commandments for our benefit. They are instructions from a loving Father in Heaven to help us have happy lives. He also gives us agency, or the ability and opportunity to choose between good and evil. When we obey God, we follow the influence of the spirit and choose to conform to His will. Obedience to the commandments brings us peace in this life and eternal
life in the world to come. Obedience shows our love for God. Heavenly Father knows our weakness and is patient with us. (But as President Marston says "God will not let us use our weaknesses as an excuse!") As we keep His commandments He is able to bless us.

In 1 Nephi 3, Nephi and his brothers are commanded to go get the Brass plates from Laban, in verse 7 it says "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." I love this scripture! The Lord doesn't give us any commandment that we can't accomplish!

"The Lord commanded His followers to preach the gospel in all the world, giving every person the opportunity to accept or reject it. When we are baptized, we make a covenant to always stand as witnesses of God. We are commanded to share the gospel with those who have not yet received it. As we live the gospel faithfully, we should set an example, showing our family members and friends the great blessings that come from living the gospel. We should also take advantage of opportunities to answer questions, share printed or audiovisual
materials, and invite others to learn more about the message of the restored gospel. We should pray for those who are not members of the Church. We should pray for missionary opportunities--to serve those who are not of our faith and share what we believe. The Lord promises to help members know what to say and do as they share the gospel."

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 167).

In this world today there are so many warning signs but, there are people out there ready to change, trying to find what they are missing, and spiritually hold "help wanted" signs. Linda K. Burton, the General Relief Society President said "Imagine with me some of the possible spiritual “help wanted” signs related to the work of salvation:
• Help wanted: parents to bring up their children in light and truth
• Help wanted: daughters and sons, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, and true friends to serve as mentors and offer helping hands along the covenant path
• Help wanted: those who listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and act on impressions received
• Help wanted: those who live the gospel daily in small and simple ways
• Help wanted: family history and temple workers to link families eternally
• Help wanted: missionaries and members to spread the “good news”--the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Help wanted: covenant keepers to stand firm for truth and right
• Help wanted: true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ
• Help wanted: rescuers to find those who have lost their way" *2

Many of you have participated in treks to experience and appreciate the dramatic rescue of the Wille and Martin handcart companies.

" In October 1856, during a general conference, President Young learned that two handcart companies, the Martin company and the Willie company, were traveling late in the season and would face harsh winter weather on the plains of the western United States. He stood at the pulpit as a prophet of God and declared: “Many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with hand-carts, …and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. … This community is to send for them and bring them in. …“That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess, it is to save the people. …“I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains.”

As a result of President Young’s call to action, wagons with teams of mules, men to drive them, and flour and other supplies were immediately sent to rescue the people stranded on the plains." *3

Elder M. Russell Ballard said " Today we are not called to pull handcarts through the snow-swept plains of Wyoming. However, we are called to live, foster, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to invest our means and our time to bless others. Each one of us must do all we can to preserve our Latter-day Saint way of life. A vital part of this preservation is a willingness to set aside personal desires and replace them with unselfish sacrifice for others."

Family and friends, the Prophet still calls and commands us to sign-up for the rescue party. There are still lives to brighten, hearts to touch, and souls to save.

I am so thankful to be serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-day Saints. It is truly a blessing to be here in California with these amazing people. Here are a few highlights from my week.

~A...craziest lady I've probably ever meet. We went to her house this week for a lesson and she said, when we sat down to the table, "So if you see a little critter running aroud, my cat dragged it in and I havent found it yet." Sister Gibbons held her feet up the entire lesson. Sure enough there ran "the thing". We thought it was a little squirrel then....it was black and white....and had a rat looking face. Critter for sure! It sat in her cat dish and ate the entire lesson. She didn't even care.

~We did alot of service this week.

~I never realized the impact I have made on the people here until I said goodbye to one of the less-actives here (just in case I do get transferred). As I said goodbye she broke into tears. It was such an uplifting experience for me. 

“Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things.
“And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” D&C 14:6-7

I love you all! Thank you for your support!

Love,

Sister Elli Reber

1.Lesson 5: Laws and Ordinances
http://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/what-do-i-study-and-teach/lesson-5-laws-and-ordinances?lang=eng

2.Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/wanted-hands-and-hearts-to-hasten-the-work?lang=eng

3. This Is Your Phone Call
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/this-is-your-phone-call?lang=eng

READ ME!

Family & Friends,
Good Afternoon on this beautiful Wednesday. It has thrown me off having p-day on a different day this week but....it has been a GREAT week. That also doesn't mean that I didn't have trials or that there was rough spots. 

We were able to meet Elder Brent H. Nielson, a member of the quorum of the seventy, this past Monday. What a great experience! He asked us all, "how many of you didn't know how hard a mission was going to be until you came out on your mission and found out.... That It's not as "perfect" as those returned missionaries make
it sound in their homecoming talks?" Everyone of us raised our hands. I just want to tell you all right now...A MISSION IS NOT EASY! If you are thinking about going on a mission...I'm not going to trick you....It's hard. As Elder Nielson said it, "Welcome to the work, it's going to be difficult." We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and "In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do hard things"(Elder Nielson) BUT....a mission will change you for the better, will teach you things that no one or anything could teach you, and WILL BE THE TRAINING CENTER FOR LIFE. Every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears(and of course the mental strain) will be WORTH IT! I am SO thankful for the opportunity to be on a mission.

Monday we had our Zone Conference, which was when Elder Brent H. Nielson and his wife, Sister Nielson, toured the Mission. If I had time to type all day long I would tell you everything that I learned but due to time...and being obedient I'll share a couple and save the others for another day. Before the conference started the sister missionaries had a special meeting with Sister Nielson. All the sisters were expecting....modesty....inappropriate relationships with elders....or something along those lines as the topic! Surprise....the topic was trials and marriage! It was one of the BEST talks to sisters that I have ever heard. First she started talking out about the struggles and hard times sisters have on their missions; not feeling their testimony is strong enough, hard times, etc,(what elders go through as well). She said " If you are having a rougher harder time then you thought.....you are normal!" She then went on to talking about how we can find the Holiness in everyday. She referred to a book called "The holiness of everyday life". In the book it talks about the things mothers get bogged down by, for example, a messy house. She had us think of a living room, kids clothes all over the couch needing to be folded, crumbs on floor, toys all over, your recent art project. She said "one day this was me...I walked into that and I was so irritated and mad!" So Sister Nielson went outside, grabbed a rake, and came inside and raked everything to the middle of the floor! She decided to time herself when putting everything away....5 minutes. She learned a great lesson from this book. What if we looked at the clothes on the couch as: the wonderful opportunity God has given us to have children and families, that those kids are enjoying life and getting their clothes dirty. What is we looked at crumbs on the floor as: I'm so grateful I have a husband that can provide for our family and we have
jobs. What if we looked at that art project as: I am so grateful God has given me a talent I enjoy so much! What if we looked at the Holiness in everyday life! Parents, husband and wife, are the "creator of a home". So how does this relate to a mission? Well you cannot understand "holiness" without opposition! "If a mission isn't anything
else....it's practice" said Sister Nielson. It's practice for marriage, it's practice for raising a family, it's practice for life!

It is such an amazing time to be a Sister Missionary. She talked about the age change of sisters and some reasons why they did it. As we all know, we are in the last day, and times are going to get worse. We will be raising kids in this world and we need strong women that know the gospel to raise strong young men into worthy Priesthood holders. She also gave us some advice she said "don't marry a project! Marry someone as equally yoked." As I thought of that, the kind of guy I want to marry: someone strong in the gospel, a worthy Priesthood
holder" I have to be equally as yoked! A mission does that. She ended with a quote " you are on a mission and He(Our Heavenly Father) will help you change into something worthy of His divine Sons."


The theme of the Zone Conference was "The Enabling and Redeeming Power of the Atonement". Before my mission I thought of the Atonement as "what Jesus Christ preformed for us so we can be forgiven of our sins,
that we can repent and be forgiven." But that's only part of it...the Redeeming power. " I am not suggesting that the redeeming and enabling powers of the Atonement are separate and discrete. Rather, these two dimensions of the Atonement are connected and complementary; they both need to be operational during all phases of the journey of life. And it is eternally important for all of us to recognize that both of these essential elements of the journey of mortality--both putting off the natural man and becoming a saint, both overcoming bad and becoming
good--are accomplished through the power of the Atonement. Individual willpower, personal determination and motivation, effective planning and goal setting are necessary but ultimately insufficient for us to
triumphantly complete this mortal journey. Truly, we must come to rely upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah”" (2 Nephi 2:8). "Nephi is an example of one who knew, understood, and relied upon the enabling power of the Savior. Recall that the sons of Lehi had returned to Jerusalem to enlist Ishmael and his household in their cause. Laman and others in the party traveling with Nephi from Jerusalem back to the wilderness rebelled, and Nephi exhorted his brethren to have faith in the Lord. It was at this point in their
journey that Nephi’s brothers bound him with cords and planned his destruction. Please note Nephi’s prayer: “O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound” (1 Nephi 7:17; emphasis added). Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? “Please get me out of this mess NOW!” It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who
act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14). The enabling power of the Atonement of Christ strengthens us to do things we could never do on our own. Sometimes I wonder if in our latter-day world of ease--in our world of microwave ovens and cell phones and air-conditioned cars and comfortable homes--we ever learn to acknowledge our daily dependence upon the enabling power of the Atonement.


There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands. No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many
phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor--literally run to us--and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power."
The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng
(If you have never read this talk.....PLEASE read it! Amazing!)


The last week and a half has been good. J is doing great. C well, she has a lot to think about. J is doing great, still wants to be baptized and be a member even if no one in her family wants to. We were teaching her and we have hit her with the Word of Wisdom. Chastity, and tithing pretty quickly, and she had a lot of concerns. But talking to her, she was feeling the Spirit and she said, "why would I let something like that get in the way of me getting baptized? I know I want to be baptized and all the little things will make sense eventually. I just know this church is awesome." She still is trying to quit coffee and smoking, but only smoked one time this whole week! She has a testimony and she will be fine! She is such an amazing example!


Family and friends I am so thankful for this gospel in my life, for the miracles I see everyday, for you my family and friends, for this amazing opportunity to be on a mission, for Our Savior Jesus Christ, and Our Loving Heavenly Father! I am so thankful for trials! "If you don't have trials, God's plan isn't working for you."(Elder Nielson) I am so thankful for the changes in my life, through Jesus Christ, and the enabling power of the atonement, that makes me a better person. The most important thing you can do on a mission is change....and
that's the hardest thing to do.
You Heavenly Father loves you!
Love,
Sister Reber

Modeling with "T"