Good Afternoon!

I hope everyone is having an amazing day! I have completed my mission and returned home to Gunnison! Thank you all for your support, love, and encouragement! It was an amazing 18 months!!

Well shoot!

"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen."

2 John 1:12-13

I'm so thankful for this gospel and the blessing it is in my life! I'm thankful to watch it change others, to see the Atonement work in lives of others, and to see the blessing of knowing the Plan of Salvation. 

Well....This is it! This feeling....indescribable! 

My mission has truly been amazing! Not matter how hard it was...it was the greatest way to spend the last 18 months. I have made eternal friends, seen many miracles, been tried and tested, and seen Gods hand in my life. I'm sad to leave my new family but, I'm excited to see my family. 

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Reber  

My banner is clear

"The Fellowship of the Unashamed. 

I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. - The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. 

I am finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. 

I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. 

I now live by faith, lean on his presence, work with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven. My road narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for his own He will have no problem recognizing me, MY BANNER WILL BE CLEAR."- Henry B. Eyring 

This mission has changed me! It has made MY BANNER CLEAR! I am an emotional wreck inside. I will be honest with you! I have absolutely loved my mission, yes there is been rough parts, but those amazing moments have definitely outweighed the bad. I don't want to go home. I wish I could have both worlds. But, I can't. So, I will strive to adapt to a new world. I will have patience in myself, and strive to accept Gods perfect Plan for me. 

As of this week....

We are teaching cute little K & J! They are doing so well and can't wait to get baptized! There is something different about teaching children, they are just so special! Please keep them in your prayers and their family. 

We had a lot of service opportunities this week. We did a new service I've never done, matching socks for an hour! It was pretty fun! We also were able to spend a couple hours with the Dry Creek Elders and move 2 non-members out of their storage unit! A miracle and tender mercy for me. The moments when I can let my boldness and bluntness come out are awesome for me. The guy has been struggling for a long time and he asked me what He should do....and I Told Him!! It was awesome!! Mind Blown:) 

This week has been awesome, a miracle week, and I've loved it.

This gospel is so true! I love it! 

I hope you all have an awesome week! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Pictures:

My Last Exchange! Got two be with these awesome Sisters! Sister Heil & Sister Davis

Service with these Awesome kids!! 

Our cute K & J!! ️ these girls!

 

 

An awesome week👍

From the Week..........

Peaks:

-Zone Conference- Our Zone Conference was themed "Finding Faith to Find". It was so good! Got me motivated to keep going and try to find new people to teach. It was so good to see everyone one last time! 

-Stake Conference- This week was the Antelope Stakes Stake Conference. It was all about Missionary Work. A family that we were teaching and got sealed, spoke and it was so amazing! Eternal Families is the best thing ever! 

-Day with Elders- Saturday we spent almost all day with Elder Beazer & Elder McClurg. We had some pass-off lessons and they went great. They are teaching two teenage boys from our ward and we are teaching to young girls from theirs. Elders have a power when they teach that is just awesome! We are excited to teach the 2 cutest girls ever! 

-Miracle with "S" - We had a less-active that moved into our ward a few months ago. She has a boyfriend and we were teaching him but then they both dropped off the face of the earth. So....we have been praying for a miracle, something to happen. Then we had a Relief Society activity this week and a member texted us and said "hey there is a new member in our ward that is LA and she's coming tonight." Miracle! We hadn't even said anything to anyone. God is Good!! 

-Service - Sister Mackay and I set up a Zone Service Project this week. We went to a local park and did service with the Park Manager. We were able to paint the bathrooms. It was so fun to spend time together and serve. 

Pits:

- I gave my Departing testimony this week at Zone Conference (of course cried like a baby) but...it was an opportunity to reflect and realize how much I have grown! I have truly come to love this mission. My advice was this....

LIVE- Live in the mission, make it your home, make this your family! I feel like I am leaving 150+ Brothers and Sisters and two amazing parents. 

LAUGH- Your mission is to be enjoyed, not just endured. Smile and have fun! 

LOVE- Love your companions, love your missionaries that serve around you, love your mission president, love the work, and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If there is one thing I have learned the most about on my mission, it is LOVE. 

Praises:

-Heavenly Father is so awesome and mindful of us. Our awesome MTC district got to start together and end together. I got to see to of the most amazing Sister Missionaies, Sister Soliai and Van Duren, bear their testimonies. Spiritual Giants! I love them! 

Prayers:

-To see success in this area.

-To find people to teach. 

-What I need to do right now. 

Picture:

*All together! Our awesome Sister Hardy, left us last transfer to head to school! We miss and love her! And are excited to see her soon! 

Eternal friendships

Well It's been an awesome and fun week!! I'm so thankful for this gospel and the opportunity I have to share it with the people here in California! We are struggling to find people to teach BUT God still gives us so many small miracles to keep us going! 

This week has been filled with fun people and reconfirming to me that the relationships on your mission really can last forever. D&C 121:6 

Sister Lori Brewster, my amazing trainer, came back to visit!! It was so good to see her and spend some time reminiscing. 

MLC was this week in Gridley, it was so fun to see everyone and get motivated to try harder to find. 

I love this gospel!! There is a Mormon message called "Sunday Will Come" I would invite all of you to go watch it!

Love, 

Sister Reber 

Pics:

*Generation Photo! Sister Mackay, Me, Sister Brewster 

*MLC....to much fun! Going to miss this!

*Elder Mcguffy and Elder Mosley!! They surprised me with a call and wanted to go to lunch one last time!! Throwback to the Auburn days! 2 great elders! 

Good Afternoon Family!

Good Afternoon Family!

I am so thankful for this opportunity to be on a mission! I have seen many of my companions at this point in their mission, less than a month from home, and I now know how they felt. It's the worst feeling ever! There's moments when you just want to get on a plane already and theirs moments when you want to stay here forever. I got my "trunky papers" this week and that was just the saddest thing ever! 

This week has been AWESOME!! Here's a few highlights....

-Brianna went to the temple for the first time! She went and did Baptisms and loved it! 

-Had two media referrals that turned into new investigators! 

-Crazy lady told us our religion came from a little boy on the planet Galob!! 

-I'm getting a nice tan! 🏽

-Lots of service this week! Service makes me so happy!

-We had a family from Peru move into our ward and I LOVE them! We have had so much fun with them! 

-So many great lessons this week. 

-A family that we have been preparing to be sealed, got sealed this week!! 

I left my family for 18 months so I could see others be with their family for eternity! ✔️

It's been a good week!! This gospel is amazing!

I love you all!!

 Sister Reber 

Pics: 

-Me and my Cute lil girl!

-Trunky Papers! NOOO!!

CRM for life!

Good Afternoon!

What a crazy week!! My week at a glance.....

Monday: P-day! Transfer p-day.....sad! As soon as I get close to these missionaries...they get transferred. They truly become family and best friends! It was sad to see them leave and to know that I will never serve around them as missionaries again. I'm proud of them all! There is some amazing missionaries in this mission! 

I also received an email from my mom that my Grandpa wasn't doing well and that he would probably pass away this week. I was shocked. It shocked me that just 30 minutes before I received mom's email I was bearing my testimony of the Plan ofSalvation to one of my best friends on my mission. Thank goodness for a wonderful friend, Sister Rawlins! I just went out in the hall and cried! Poor girl....didn't know what to do! And I was fine with that! After that I was fine! 

Monday night crazy! We got spotlighted by a helicopter!! Ya!! (I will save the story for when I get home;)) 

Sister Taylor came and spent the night with us and it was so fun to talk and catch up on life! 

Tuesday: Service at Sister Ortegas! Member visits! District Lunch for the last time with "my kids"! 

Wednesday: Helped out at the mission office for Transfers! Got to see so many of the gang! Sister Soliai, Elder Avery, and Elder Gentry!! 

Thursday: District Meeting! Sister Mackay kicked some but during practice teach this week! YAAA that's my girl!! 

Friday: Weekly Planning!! We decided to mix it up this week....go a little crazy;)....and plan in the mothers lounge! At the end of planning I received a call from President Marston. I knew what it was about, I was relieved, I was sad, but more than anything I was comforted. I never would have thought that I would loose 2 family members and multiple close friends while on my mission. Heavenly Father has definitely been preparing me for this moment my entire mission. There is nothing that I have a stronger testimony about than the Plan of Salvation. I know that He is in a better place! 

Friday night we had a wonderful time at the ward BBQ!

Saturday: We went out working our butts off trying to find some people to teach! We ended up dropping the 2 investigators we had...BUT God is good and gave us 2 new ones....ones that WANT this gospel, that call us to come over! You know that quote "sometimes we have to give up something good for something better!"? Ya it's true! 

So Saturday night we were at the church and the youth had a dance. We were getting ready to get in our car and this van pulls up and these crazy girls come running out screaming "sister Reber"! I was like what the heck.... Made my night! It was the Milligans from Auburn!! So fun to see them! 

Sunday: Church is always awesome!! There were so many less actives to church this week and to make it better....we had a missionary homecoming and farewell in the ward this week! 

Today: Robin came from Auburn to take us to lunch! It was so good to see her:) 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you! I love this Gospel! I love my Heavenly Father! I love sharing this gospel! Have a wonderful week!! 

️Sister Reber

California Roseville Mission 

Pictures:

*Service with Sister Taylor, me and Sister Mackay! 

*running till the end!! 

Last transfer....here we come

This week has been awesome! We have seen so many miracles this week! Our lessons doubled this week and we look forward to doubling it again next week. I love this work! My little girl and I are staying together this transfer and I will finish training! I have mixed emotions today, first day of my last transfer! Bring it on kids!

Another transfer! So hard to see my friends go!! Half our zone is changing...our family! It's going to be weird! 

Love you all!!

Sister Reber

Another Amazing Week!

This week has been great! Actually....AWESOME! We have seen so much success! Our patience I this work has paid off. We hit our goal for lessons this week, found a new investigator, and had an awesome Ward council about missionary work. We were able to attend the temple this week with a member and that was an amazing experience! It was so good to spend some time in the Celestial room with Sister Mackay and do some praying! Heavenly Father is so good! 

Sorry for the short email this week! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Good Week!

Good Morning! 

It's been a good week! We are trying to find new investigators so that's what we have been doing all week. 

I got to see one of my companions. She came back to the mission all the way from Finland! We were able to go out to dinner with her and President & Sister Marston! It was so fun to see her! 

Nothing too exciting this week. 

->Elder Gilger & Elder Draper need your help! They are the missionaries in Gunnison! Help them out! My challenge to my family!! Find one person between the 5 of you, to take the missionary lessons before I get home! 

If you don't know any non-members....you better go make some new friends. 

Love you all! 

Have a great 4th

Good Afternoon!

I have so many things I want to share today. So many mixed thoughts. As I prayed about what to share with you all today, these are the things that came to mind. They don't have much to do in common but I hope something, at least one thing, stands out to you. 

How much are we willing to give?? How much do you love those around you? 

Coming on a mission I didn't realize this was a life long commitment. When you are called on a mission you are called to serve in a certain area for 18-24 months, you become a representative of Jesus Christ, and when it's over you don't go back home and forget all about it. While you are on a mission you are an instrument in the Lords hands. You bring people closer to Him. You become friends and family. When you go home....relationships should not change! Missionaries have a responsibility to be an example to their converts, less actives, members, etc. FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. We can't and SHOULD NOT go home and become someone we have taught these people not to be. This is an eternal mission. We are a Shepherd forever. RM's I'm taking to you! Here is a story I read this week. 

"When I was a very small boy, my father found a lamb all alone out in the desert. The herd of sheep to which its mother belonged had moved on, and somehow the lamb got separated from its mother, and the shepherd must not have known that it was lost. Because it could not survive alone in the desert, my father picked it up and brought it home. To have left the lamb there would have meant certain death, either by falling prey to the coyotes or by starvation because it was so young that it still needed milk. Some sheepmen call these lambs “bummers.” My father gave the lamb to me and I became its shepherd.

For several weeks I warmed cow’s milk in a baby’s bottle and fed the lamb. We became fast friends. I called him Nigh--why I don’t remember. It began to grow. My lamb and I would play on the lawn. Sometimes we would lie together on the grass and I would lay my head on its soft, woolly side and look up at the blue sky and the white billowing clouds. I did not lock my lamb up during the day. It would not run away. It soon learned to eat grass. I could call my lamb from anywhere in the yard by just imitating as best I could the bleating sound of a sheep: Baa. Baa.

One night there came a terrible storm. I forgot to put my lamb in the barn that night as I should have done. I went to bed. My little friend was frightened in the storm, and I could hear it bleating. I knew that I should help my pet, but I wanted to stay safe, warm, and dry in my bed. I didn’t get up as I should have done. The next morning I went out to find my lamb dead. A dog had also heard its bleating cry and killed it. My heart was broken. I had not been a good shepherd or steward of that which my father had entrusted to me. My father said, “Son, couldn’t I trust you to take care of just one lamb?” My father’s remark hurt me more than losing my woolly friend. I resolved that day, as a little boy, that I would try never again to neglect my stewardship as a shepherd if I were ever placed in that position again. …

After more than sixty years, I can still hear in my mind the bleating, frightened cry of the lamb of my boyhood that I did not shepherd as I should have. I can also remember the loving rebuke of my father: “Son, couldn’t I trust you to take care of just one lamb?” If we are not good shepherds, I wonder how we will feel in the eternities." (Of Lambs and Shepherds by President James E. Faust) 

Can Heavenly Father trust us with His children....forever? 

 

The next thought.....how far are we willing to go to help HIS children? I was reminded of the 4 pioneer rescuers that carried the pioneers across the Sweetwater River. I've always looked up to these 4 young men that put their life on the line to help others. I've seen "rescuers" in my own life. 

"So many miles, and such a shallow stream, but wet and

Wide with sticky mud. And this time there was snow and ice.

Not ice enough to cross on, like the miracle at Nauvoo.

Another miracle was needed here; and perhaps a sacrifice.

With wagons, clothing, food, and fire for loved ones yet unknown,

Men and boys from Zion climbed their mountains through the frost

To find the stranded pioneers, exhausted on the prairie and

Dying in November’s snows, with the Sweetwater still to cross.

Their clothes were rent; their strength was spent; they’d eaten belts and shoes.

Hundreds there were winter-bound with no hope that they might rally;

It would take a bridge of living flesh, willingly laid down,

To save the souls at Devil’s Gate and bring them to the Valley.

Then the Valley boys, some beardless, brave, saw no other way.

The young men knew what they must do--saw what was required,

And carried, ferried, the weak and sick across the freezing water,

Crossed and recrossing, crossed again. Crossed, though chilled and tired.

And as the young men waded, bearing on their strong, warm backs

Their loads of tired flesh, of fathers, mothers, children, wives,

Ignored the pain, the chills like nails in freezing hands and feet,

They crossed for love--and Jesus’ sake--and offered life for lives.

And while from Devil’s Gate all crossed to the shelter of the Cove,

Like lambs born in too-early spring, the young men shivered and they froze,

Bearing scores of pilgrim strangers, the least of all the pioneers,

Who had pushed their carts and their poor hearts till both broke in winter’s snows.

That cold and lonely river was once the crossroads of the world,

Where works of faith met gifts of grace at the continent’s divide.

God there poured out his mercy on both the saviors and the saved,

And those who crossed and washed in that sweet Water never died." 

(Sweetwater Crossing (November 4, 1856) By Stephen E. Robinson)

We may not have to cross an ice cold river to help those around us BUT are we, are you, am I, even willing to do the small things? 

This week has been filled with miracles. We were able to watch 2 daughters of our Heavenly Father enter into convents with Him. We were able to teach H, a child of record, for the past few months. Here family is amazing. Her mom is a recent convert and their family is progressing in the gospel! 

B got baptized! What an amazing baptism! There were so many missionaries that attended. President and Sister Marston attended and the Stake Presidency. I won't lie, I was so nervous to give The Restoration presentation. It went great though. She is preparing to go to the temple the second week in July! She is so solid in this gospel! 

I'm thankful for this gospel! I'm thankful for the Plan of Salvation, that not only can I live with my family for eternity but with all the people that have became family! I'm thankful that there is no such things as goodbyes on this earth, only "see you laters". One day we will all see each other again. I'm thankful for a living prophet on this earth that receives direct revelation for God, for us, and if we follow his council we will be blessed. This Church is true! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Other thoughts from the week:

D&C 136:17 "Go thy way and do as I have told you, and fear not thine enemies; for they shall not have power to stop my work."

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

The Lord will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capacity to resist.

The Week!

It's been a quick week! It's gone by fast since last P-day! We have been busy finding new people to teach! We are excited for this next week! We have a baptism and are excited to start teaching some new investigators. Here is a few pictures from the week:

Sister Mackay and I, with E! She is the cutest little girl ever! We went to dinner and Ice cream with them. 

Sister Mackay and the chocolate bars we delivered for the ward yesterday for Fathers Day! 

A New Transfer!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

It's been a good couple of weeks and I'm excited to share it with you. I didn't email last week so I have even more to update you. So here you go.....

Transfer weekend: Friday Night I got a call from Sister Vakapuna and she said "Sister Reber you are going to speak at C's funeral.....tomorrow!" I just about died! It's a good thing I love Vak! C was an investigator we were teaching in Auburn. She found out a week before that she had cancer and passed away 6 days later. I was scared to talk but I prayed and prayed not to be nervous. We got to the funeral the next morning and found out I was the main speaker! I thought I was just suppose to get up and share a few words. It's a good thing I know the Plan of Salvation by heart. They started and introduced me. I got up and gave the "sermon" they wanted. It went well I think.  

Saturday night before transfers we had a specialized zone meeting and found out who would be getting transferred. Before we found out we watched a slide show of all our pictures from the transfer. We then went around the room and answered the questions "What was the biggest thing you learned this transfers?" and as a companionship, "what was your favorite memory?" My response was this- "This transfer I've learned that God's plan is perfect. Even the little moves we make and the people he puts in our lives. This is the perfect zone for me to be in, with the missionaries I need, and the trials I needed to learn" Sister Heil answered the next question for us, me not knowing what she was going to say, she said "We have had a lot of trials this transfer. The best thing that has happened to us was how we were able to work things out. One day particular that stood out to us was a few weeks ago when I got an email from my mom saying that a close family friend had died. That same day, exactly a year ago, Sister Reber got an email saying that her cousin had died. It was awesome that she knew exactly how I was feeling and could help me through it." It touched my heart! The transfer call came and Sister Heil found out she was leaving. It was sad. It was sad for our zone, we would be changing. The next few days were really rough. I have really came to love this zone and the missionaries in it. They have done so much for me. This zone is amazing! I truly have never felt so close and unified in a zone. We have became so close. It's like we all grew up together. 

Sunday night I got a call from AP Gillies! "Sister Reber, you're training!" I knew the call was coming, and honestly I wasn't super excited. I was still in "sad mode" about all the changes going on. But I hoped I would get excited. 

Monday night Sister Vakapuna got to come spend the night with us before she left home. It was so good to talk to her and spend some time with her! Man I love that girl! 

Tuesday was so hard! We took Sister Vakapuna to the mission office and I had to say bye(which is just see ya later) to her,  I had to say by to Elder Zaugg. Elder Zaugg has been the biggest influence on me here in Antelope and I'm so grateful for him. Then I had so say bye to Sister Heil. By the time that was all over, I was emotionally exhausted....not to mention the giant bags under my eyes. 

A thought I had during transfers, "When you come on a mission you say bye to your family once. When your on a mission you have to say bye to your family every 6 weeks." These missionaries, the members your serve, they become your family! 

Tuesday Afternoon I didn't have a companion so I helped at the mission office with the new missionaries. I was able to take out of the sisters tracking. It was weird not knowing what Sister I was going to have as a companion. We had fun though. 

Later in the day Sister Soliai, the awesome chick!, came and picked me up and we went to Roseville (her area), had some dinner, and got ready for our greenies! It was so good to spend some time with her and it got me excited! That night we came back to Antelope and stayed here. 

The next morning we got ready and headed to pick up "our baby girls". That moment standing in front of the room waiting to hear which companion is going to be yours .......is so weird! You're nervous, excited, and about ready to through up! Haha. But meet my new baby! Sister Monica Mackay from Zachary, Louisiana! She is so great, has a strong testimony, and is so pumped to be a missionary! It's been fun getting to know her! 

Our first dinner ,the D's, the greatest family ever, had a greenie dinner for her. That was fun! 

This week we had Zone conference, with Elder Kacher of the 70. He pretty much through down! We are becoming casual as missionaries and I personally need to be better. It was good to have some be blunt and say what's what! 

Anyways that's been the week summed up! 

Love you all!! 

Pictures:

*Me, Sister Mackay, and President & Sister Marston

*Saddest thing ever! I love Vak!! Enjoy the RM life! 

*the ENTIRE Antelope Zone! All 10 of us! Purple at Zone Conference!

Look Towards the Temple

Good Afternoon!

Another week in the California Roseville Mission. Time is going by way too fast. As I said my prayers last night it hit me that my time is getting short. I have time, but not much. It also hit me of the love that I have grown for my Savior. I know He Lives! I know He love me! I know He walks with His missionaries every step we take. 

This week I have been thinking about the temple a lot. It seemed like everything I heard this week was related to the temple and the ordinances performed in the temple. I received many miracles and this is one of them. A year ago I received an email from my mom letting me know that my cousin had died in a car crash. Exactly a year later,this week, his parents were able to go do the work for him. I thought about that throughout the day and imagined how amazing the temple is. That same day Sister Heil received an email that a close family friend had passed away that day. Coincidence? The same day we received a new investigator, a member referral, and a young woman invited us to her graduation party so she could introduce us to all her non-member friends. I'm convinced that our Heavenly Father blesses his missionaries and their families! 

I don't have much time to write today but, know this. I love you! Heavenly Father loves you! You're Savior loves you! You are awesome!

Love,

Sister Reber 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-127-strength-beyond-my-own?lang=eng

D&C 138:54-60

54 Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world.

55 I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.

56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

57 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.

58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,

59 And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.

60 Thus was the vision of the redemption of the dead revealed to me, and I bear record, and I know that this record is true, through the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even so. Amen.

D&C 132:46

46 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.

D&C 20:17

17 By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them;

Sister Reber

California Roseville Mission 

Pics:

Sis Gibbons came to visit:)

This is my new buddy J!! So funny! 

 

 

99 days!

Alright....Another Week passed! Time is going by so fast! I hit 15 months this week...I can't believe it! This week has been so good! Heavenly Father has blessed me with miracles and happy moments!

Last Monday we did exchanges and I got Sister Rawlins! I stinkin love that girl!! She is from Idaho, a country girl, and....not to mention we have the same favorite animal, color, and country singer (just saying...we were meant to be friends). When we got home we started planning for the next morning. She asked me about me getting a blessing. I told her that I had never asked for a blessing. There is miracles in exchanges and this was one of them. Sister Rawlins bore a strong testimony to me about priesthood blessings and some experiences that she had. I guess from that, she gave me the courage and humility to ask. So that night I Elder Mosley and Neilsen. The next day we went out and worked contacted a bunch of potentials and less actives   , then went to the church for my blessing. The Elders and the Zone leaders surprised me and came too. It was so awesome! Elder Mosley gave it. Heavenly Father has a plan for me and it was just what I needed to hear. This week Sister Heil and I have had so much fun and enjoyed life.

I don't have much time today but It's been a great week! Thanks for the prayers, love, and support! 

Pics: 

Sister Rawlins and I ...having a good time! 

Sister Heil & I 

5.18.2015

Hello!

I don't really know what to and what not to say this week. It's been tough. I don't think I have ever been so drained mentally, physically, and emotionally in my life. Before a mission you know you are going to have tough times, but until you get on a mission and experience it you have no idea. There is emotions you feel on a mission that you can't feel anywhere else. The refiners fire is real! I'm not going to get into all the crap that is going on, because 1.I don't want to and 2. You don't want to hear it. But I will tell you what has been on my mind and what I am learning. 

1. As Elder Neilsen in the zone put it, "A mission is a package deal. For a mission to change us, it has to be hard". I have never been more aware of my flaws and my weaknesses. But, as we learn our weaknesses we are able to change them through the help of our Savior. As Elder Biggs said " God has changed me so much, I don't even recognize myself anymore." I am so thankful for trials, for hard times, and for the opportunity to grow and change. 

2. God gives us famines to humble us. This week I have been reading the Book of Mormon, like crazy, trying to finish it before transfers. I was reading this week in Helaman 11 where the Lord puts Nephi and is followers into a famine. Nephi says in verse 4, "O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be destroyed by the sword; but O Lord, rather let there be a famine in the land, to stir them up in remembrance of the Lord their God, and perhaps they will repent and turn unto thee." We see a cycle that happens. 1.We are righteous & Prosperous. -> 2. We become prideful and wicked. -> 3. There is destruction and suffering. -> 4. We become humble and repent. 

Sure enough this famine happens and the people suffer. "For the earth was smitten that it was dry, and did not yield forth grain in the season of grain; and the whole earth was smitten, even among the Lamanites as well as among the Nephites, so that they were smitten that they did perish by thousands in the more wicked parts of the land."(Helaman 11:6) 

Then the people start becoming humbled. "And it came to pass that the people saw that they were about to perish by famine, and they began to remember the Lord their God; and they began to remember the words of Nephi." 

President Ezra Taft Benson taught about what we can do to avoid getting caught up in the pride cycle:“God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, ‘Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.’ (Alma 32:16.) “Let us choose to be humble. “We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity [hatred] toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. … “We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. …“We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. …“We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. …“We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. …“We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently. “We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. …“We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. …

“Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can” (“Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 6–7).

Why do I bring this up? Why do I like it so much? First off, we are in a drought, a famine of water. Just a thought, maybe God is giving us this drought to humble us, to turn our hearts towards Him, and to put our trust and faith in Him. Maybe He is trying to get us to attend the temple more, maybe is trying to get us to humble ourselves and forgive others, maybe He wants us to be thankful for what we have. Second, when we loose something we are learn to be more thankful for it. I've learned to absolutely love missionary work the past few weeks as I haven't been able to do much of it. It's been hard, it's brought me to my knees multiple times in tears, and I have never wanted to go out and share the gospel more than now. 

3. God has perfect timing. God puts people in our lives when we need them, when we need their personality. I am in the best zone for this time in my life. I have two zone leaders that have became best friends, that text me scriptures, that know when things are hard, and encourage me. They are awesome and an answer to my prayers. I have an amazing mission president that is just the one I need. I have the best mission leader that is just the one I need. God is good! He not only prompts others to answer our prayers but he prompts us as well. Last night I was prompted to go visit a family. This family is less active and kind of struggling. When we got to their home they were outside crying. I asked what was wrong and they said that they had lost their cat. We were able to talk with them and bring a smile to their face. It was the greatest feeling. They asked how church was and asked us if they could come next week. They thanked us over and over for coming. It was awesome.

I am so thankful for this life, this time on earth we have to grow, to learn, to prepare to meet our loving Heavenly Father and live with Him again. I am thankful for this gospel and the opportunity to share it. I am thankful for prayer and know it is real and that it works, that God answers them and he wants to hear from us. This church is true, it's the Restored Gospel, the same church that Jesus Christ set up when He was here on the earth. 

️Sister Reber 

PICTURES:

Meet the Antelope Dream Team

Front row:Sister Rawlins, Sister Grosland, Elder Nielsen, Elder Dresden, Sister Heil, and Me.

Back Row: Elder Mosley, Elder Biggs, Elder Zaugg, Elder Dunn, Elder Jensen, Elder Beazer 

It Rained this week!!! Yah! Miracles.

It's a good day!!!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I have been slacking on my emails! Here is the run down on the past couple weeks. 

I got into my new area and got my new companion. I am now serving in the Antelope 4th Ward. It's very different then my last areas. It is all subdivisions and apartments and a really small area (no more then 10 miles across), a lot of diversity(Caucasian is probably the minority compared to everyone else), and close to the city. My new companion is Sister H. She is from Colorado, 20 years old today, an amazing crocheter and that's how she likes to spend her spare time. We have had our trials and tribulations together but, I love her.  

The past couples weeks have been trying, but I'm back on my feet running! I was able to recuperate this week. I went to Gridley for MLC and had a blast! I am so thankful for the friendships I have made on my mission! We truly are like brothers and sisters. They are the best support system ever! 

Yesterday was awesome! By the way, Happy Mothers Day to all you AMAZING women! At church the cutest little girl ran to come sit by me during sacrament....just about killed me with her cuteness! President and Sister Marston invited us for dinner. President invited 6 sisters, in place of his 6 daughters, and him and the AP's cooked us dinner. It was so great! President gave a dinner speech about the plan of salvation and the importance of mothers. What an amazing man! I love him! 

I got to skype my family! I was proud of myself!!...I didn't even cry till the very end this time! It was fun to see them! Great therapy laughing and talking! (Crazy that that was the last time on my mission) I am thankful for my awesome family and all they do for me! Love you guys! 

It's been a good week!

I had a prayed answered yesterday as I was at church. The topic was on scripture study and the impact reading can have on us. 

"The scriptures are written records of God’s dealings with His children as recorded by prophets under the influence of the Holy Ghost. We show our faith by studying, believing, and obeying God’s revealed word. We diligently search the scriptures to understand the truth. We feast upon them because they open the door to revelation and show us what we need to do and become. We search the scriptures to learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from God and comes through studying and living His word and His gospel. The approved scriptures of the Church, also called the standard works, are the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. We should study these sacred books daily."(Preach My Gospel)

Just like any other commandment God has given us, he gives us blessings and promises to follow! Here is some of those promises(could you use any of them in your life?): Personal revelation will flow, temple marriage will increase, families will be strengthened, commitment will be strengthened, missionaries will increase, testimonies will be strengthened, and activity in the church will increase. 

"As we study God's word, we receive guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul, and power to avoid deception and resist temptation." 

Family and friends, I know this to be true! I think we often overlook or forget the power of God's words we have in our finger tips. Open the book and read! Scriptures that are falling apart usually represent a life that is not! I love you all! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Sister Reber

California Roseville Mission

 Sister Soliai and I with AP Johnston and Gillies @ Mothers Day Dinner.

Week 1 in Antelope

Hello From Antelope California!!

This week has been great! Here is just some things that happened this week...

4/21-Transfers! It was really hard to say goodbye to Sister Vakapuna. She became not only a companion but a sister! I traveled to the mission office and got my new companion, Sister Heil. Sister Heil is 19, from Littleton, Colorado, and has had quite the time on her mission. Hopefully we can uplift her mission experience.

4/22-

We went to the Mission office and Helped with breakfast and lunch. 

Lesson with H, an awesome 8 year old girl. 

Dinner at D family's! 

Met the P Family and Bro. P played "God Gave Me You" on the guitar for me.

4/23-

District meeting.

Lunch @ Panda Express

Had a Meeting with President Marston and the Ward mission leaders in the Stake. 

4/24-

Seminary scripture bowl. I give it up to kids...6am in the morning!  

Weekly planning 

African dinner with Sister G

Ward activity- Hotwheels races

4/25-

Service with Bro. D for Sister P. 

Dinner @ P with Sis. L- She came back to visit.

4/26- 

Ward council...they are awesome! 

Sorry not an exciting email today:) 

New address

Sister Elli Reber

8303 Walerga rd.

Apt. #68

Antelope, CA 95843 

Sister Reber

California Roseville Mission

Off on a New Adventure!

Well I don't have much time to write but....

Transfer calls came in and I will be heading to Antelope 4th Ward! 

I hear it's a great ward so I'm excited about that! I will be staying STL and the other STL is in a different 

companionship. 

I'm excited for a new adventure! 

I'm not excited to say goodbye to Sister Vakapuna tomorrow!

Mission=Mixed emotions and emotions you can't explain. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Love ya!

Empire Mine or Bust!

Good Afternoon Family & Friends,

I sit down to type up my emails...and never remember what I did during the week. Time is flying by so fast! I feel like it was yesterday I was driving home to open my call letter. I had my Mission President Interview this week....amazing! I just love President Marston! 

This week was a normal week of missionary work, which was great! No meetings=a great week for Sister Reber:)!
Today we were able to go to Empire Mine with R. It's one of the biggest Gold Mines in California. It was so much fun to see and to spend time with R before transfers come. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Sorry for no interesting email this week!

Love,

Sister Reber

Pictures:

1.Sister Vakapuna, Me, and R with our Prairie Diamonds the blacksmith made us.

2.R and I in the Rose Garden.

Humbled.

On the 6th of April, 1830 The Church of Jesus Christ was officially organized, starting with 6 members.
April 6, 1841 The cornerstone ceremony for the Nauvoo Temple took place for the first time.
April 6, 1893 The Salt Lake Temple was dedicated.
April 6, 1941 General conference was broadcast outside of Utah for the first time on the radio,
April 6, 2000 President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Palmyra New York Temple.
Today, April 6, 2015 The California Roseville Mission was able to spend a day in the temple together. What a spiritual experience. It was so special, in so many different ways. Over the past few weeks, since our good friend Dave passed away, I , with a wonderful women in our ward, has been working to complete Dave's family history. Today we were able to do endowments for 21 sisters and 29 males, waiting on the other side of the veil. What an amazing experience to be apart of. This morning as I was getting ready I couldn't help but think about those Angels, getting so excited that today would be the day they would receive their next ordinance. Can you imagine the family reunion, all 50 of them, must have had in the Celestial Room today?
As for me, I will never forget entering into the celestial room, seeing President and Sister Marston there waiting to greet me. I couldn't help but grin with joy as I talked with them. The love they
have for each one of us is amazing, they are truly examples of Christlike love. They say they love us like their own children and it is true. We couldn't be in better hands. After talking with them, I
looked around the room. A roomed filled with disciples of Jesus Christ, from all over the world, with different backgrounds, different stories. Today we were equal, all dressed in white, we were one big
family. I am so thankful for all the friendships, or family, I have made on this mission. I will tell you one thing, I want to be in the celestial kingdom!
This week has been a spiritually draining week. Have you ever been fed so much spiritually that you are just drained? It's an amazing feeling!
 

General Conference was amazing! I was able to receive answers to my questions and prayers, I learned new things, and know that every word we heard was inspired words from our Loving Heavenly Father. We attended MLC in Gridley this week. We were inspired and spiritually
fed about this work. Again, I am so grateful to be on my mission at this time.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Thanks for you're love and support!
Love,
Sister Reber
Pictures:
-The Auburn Zone at the temple today
-The wonderful Sisters in our zone. (Sister Hardy, Sister Vakapuna, me, Sister Puletua)

"That We May Have Joy"

Good afternoon everyone!
This week has been wonderful. This is how it went down!
Monday-P-day, also known as preparation day, "party day", and in my terms "let's take a nap day".

Tuesday- We had a great district meeting. It's so awesome to see the spirit fill the room when we get serious. We had an awesome practice teach with Elder Ross and Elder Avery. They gave us some great ideas for one of our investigators and we were able to take their idea and the lesson went amazing.

Wednesday- Care Center! I'm going to have to start writing down the funny stories again that happen. We were also able to attend the temple with Sister Marston, the mission presidents wife. I, with a
ward member, have been working on some of Dave's family history. The youth were able to do 48 names for him. While the youth were doing the baptisms we were able to have a lesson with one of our investigators, D. She is doing so awesome and getting ready to be baptized on April 11th. There was such a strong spirit on the temple grounds that made the lesson that much more special. After the youth came out, Sister Vakapuna and I were able to do some initatories.

Thursday- I spent the day with the amazing Sister Leah Hardy! My lil Indian, adopted sister, and the greatest missionary around. It was so good to go on exchanges with her. She is doing so well with her area and a great example! Thursday night I was able to have dinner with R before she headed out of town.

Friday- Our district went out to lunch for Elder Avery's birthday. Sister Vakapuna and I found an awesome new investigator in a "man caves" shop.

Saturday- I loved our service! We went and helped a lady clean her house but then her husband wasn't suppose to be on a ladder so we helped take down a patio. Our district went and chalked at the local
park. We did a visual on the new video "Because he lives". (See video) Saturday night was the Women's Broadcast! Was it not awesome!?!

Sunday-  We were studying the sabbath day and this really stood out to me, due to the lack of rain.  "If we honor the Sabbath day, we may receive great spiritual and temporal blessings. The Lord has said that if we keep the Sabbath day with thanksgiving and cheerful hearts, we will be full of joy. He has promised: “The fulness of the earth is yours, … whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;
“Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
“Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul” (D&C 59:16–19).

Monday(Today)- We went caving this morning! So fun! Pictures to come next week. We also went to a members house and spent some time having a girls day.

Overall, a great week! I hope everyone watches general conference this weekend!
I love you all! Thanks for everything!
Sister Reber

Sorry not a very spiritual letter this week. Busy day.

Another Week has come & gone.

Hello Everyone!

So I have had a lot on my mind the past week, learned a lot, and excited for a new week. Here are just some thoughts, experiences, and whatever else from this week.

~“As in all things, Jesus set the example for us. … In his great intercessory prayer he stated, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4; emphasis added).  If we are to use Christ as our guide through life, we too have to finish the work God has given us to do.  I think Christ is trying to tell us simply and succinctly that complete joy will only be hour when our actions and aspirations match perfectly with God’s plan for us, and not God’s plan for somebody else.” -Patricia T. Holland

~“Do you remember the old object lessons we would sometimes see in classes on sin and repentance?  You pound a nail into a board and pull it out.  Sin is likened to the nail.  You can pull it out with repentance, but the hole is there afterwards.  I never felt comfortable looking at the hole still in the wood.  I reject the whole idea.  I think Christ’s Atonement re-weaves the fibers of that board as if no nail was ever driven."  --S. Michael Wilcox

~We had a wonderful ward conference this week. One of the discussions was on The importance of family councils. Here are just a few notes....

          How does a family council differ from family home evening?
           Family home evening- friends are invited, missionary work is going on, and it consists of family bonding.
           Council-family concerns become resolved, planning occurs, each family member has his right to talk, create unity in the home, confidential, make it a pattern. As needed. Planned an advance. Don't just council when there is a problem.

         

           The perfect family council?
         Bring treats. Give them out at the end. Identify the issue or concern of the council. Everyone is to be heard. Councils often, regularly. Be sensitive. Start with a prayer. Strive for unity at the end of the council. Post out come on a family bulletin board, follow up.

           How can we have family council when someone disagrees with families standards?

Ground rules, the things that aren't negotiable. Discuss unity, why we
do certain things in our family. Every member should have a voice.
Come up with an outcome of what punishments should be and everyone
agrees on it. Ongoing patience, there will always be something or
someone that will be a constant offender. Show constant love no matter
what.  One on one councils. Councils are 2 or more people, it can be
like a companionship inventory.

~The past few weeks we spent multiple days in Gridley, with Elder Nielsen from the Seventy, learning how to become "Disciples in the Digital Age". We are so blessed to have wonderful tools at our fingertips. As new advancements come, we are able to see more and more miracles. As the world moves forward, so does our church, and so does missionary work. As our mission starts this new program we will currently be off of all Social Media(for a few weeks). This next week

the new Easter video "Because He Lives" comes out, we were able to view the video this week...AMAZING!! We were also able to relieve some statistics from the Christmas video and from the initiative missionaries were able to pick up 34,000 new investigators! We would invite you to share this Easter video with friends and family through all your Social networking. "If we don't flood the Internet with uplifting and spiritual things, Satan will  gladly do otherwise" said Elder Nielsen.

~Elder Neilsen also talked to us about our Ipads and why they are letting us use them. He talked alotabout Pornography. Back in the day people were coming into missions talking to the missionaries about drugs and alcohol, now it's Pornography. We have to learn how to overcome those temptations. Elder Neilsen said, to us, "You have kids waiting to come down to this earth. They are hoping their mom and dad's don't get involved in Pornography. It's not just about you missionaries, it's about your future families." One rule we are to follow is always having our companion at our side, he invited us to do the same when we get home. To have someone that we can be accountable to. 

~This week we were able to get Destiny, a 13 year old, on date. What an awesome experience. We started talking about baptism and she asked "So when can I get baptized?". That's the most rewarding things as a missionary! We are excited to continue working with her and see the miracles in her life. 

~Today was kind of a rough day. Sister Vakapuna received a call that a member in her last area had been diagnosed with stomach cancer and that she only had today to live. This morning we traveled down to Roseville for Sister Vakapuna to say goodbye. It was hard, I tried to stay tough, but it was hard. Seeing your companion in pain...is hard! It was so hard to hold back tears as a saw a family surrounding their mother. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation! 

Love you all!

Sister Reber

Pictures:

-Happy St.Patricks Day!!

-The New Missionary Age! Our new ipads!