2014 Resolution: Kicking it to the Curb

I LOVE this time of year. One thing I look forward to is making New Year's resolutions. This year, though, it's been tough. I just haven't been sure where to start….Then, I ran across this:


"“If we can keep [covenants, doctrine, faith, revelation, and spirit] in our families,…maybe a lot of other things start to take care of themselves. Maybe a lot of other less-needed things sort of fall out of the wagon. I’m told...handcarts could only hold so much. Just as our ancestors had to choose what they took, maybe the 21st century will drive us to decide, ‘What can we put on this handcart?’ It’s the substance of our soul; it’s the stuff right down in the marrow of our bones' (Jeffrey R. Holland). Or, to put it another way, it is what is written in our hearts!" (Linda K. Burton).

image: mormonhistoricsites.org

This is what I've decided to base my resolution on.

image: purlem.com

It seems that I use a lot of effort jumping on the "bandwagon." Over time, I fall off, and then time and time again, I spend what remains of my energy worrying and putting forth effort to get "back on the wagon." I want my life to be full of so many good things that I've gotten so that I've finally arrived at the point where I don't want to be involved in any of them.

I say, so much for jumping onto wagons! My focus, I've decided, will be based more on throwing things off the wagon I'm already on. Life is just too short for so much fluff.

You know, you hear stories about those pioneers who left their nice homes and tried to take all that they could with them not knowing what lay ahead. They took things like the piano and the family china? Yep. That's been me.

As these pioneers got going down the trail and saw how difficult the journey was, they started throwing things out one at a time to lighten their load and make their travels easier. They had to prioritize. That's where I'm at now. I want to end up choosing those things that resonate with me….Those things that make me happiest; that make me feel fulfilled as an individual.

image: crackersmaracas.tumblr.com

The rest, I'm planning to throw to the dogs.

By the end of 2014, you might not want to walk in my tracks. Who knows what you'll find that I'm throwing out on any given day.

I haven't quite decided yet what this is going to look like. I'm working on a plan right now, but I'm thinking each month will have a focus and each day will have a simple system of accounting. Although this might be easiest if everything I was sorting through was a tangible item, I don't plan on limiting this to things I can put my hands on. Actually, I'm thinking of starting with the spiritual and mental junk I've been carrying around for so many years and going from there--keep (and repair, if needed) the good, toss the bad.

At this point, it's all very interesting to ponder. I'm looking forward to lightening my load and traveling lighter in the future.

So, here's to 2014! Getting down to the "substance of [my] soul." The year of the lightened handcart!

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#1's Weekly Email: Week #28

There was a sister missionary who swallowed a frog.... And her name was Sister Hess

The heading of this email is not a joke. I actually ate a frog this week. And surprisingly he wasn't that bad. 

This week has been very interesting and I've had a lot of learning experiences. 

Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and it was super fun. We had to go home at 6 pm and stay home. So we all went over to the other sisters' apartment, which is only two doors down, and we had a sleepover. It was a blast and now we're all so close because of it. It kind of felt like a bunch of normal teenage girls having a sleepover. So you can bet that there were a lot of crazy conversations :)

The next day, we had fun again. Christmas here in the Philippines is a pretty crazy thing. We got permission to cross areas from President Q, and then we basically went from members house to members house eating. We started at 12 and didn't stop until 5 that night. I have NEVER been that full in my life. And a Filippino tradition on Christmas and other big holidays is spaghetti. Filippino spaghetti is not like American spaghetti. I actually like it more. The sauce is sweet because they put sweetened condensed milk in it. It's soooooooooooo yummy. There's usually hot dogs in it too. And now I'm officially sick of it. 

On Thursday, it was so nice to get back to work and actually teach people. We went around San Pedro Palcarangan (one of our areas) teaching, teaching, teaching. I love being a missionary and teaching the people here. I actually missed teaching so much. What's it gonna be like when I get home and don't have anyone to speak to in Tagalog and no one to teach as well. I'll probably just go work with the missionaries for like a month :)

Friday was fun because I got to go on exchanges again. Sister B and I went around and taught our investigators in San Roque and San Pablo. This week we've taught a lot of new investigators that live in different cities and different missions as well--one from Baguio mission, one from Angeles mission and one from Olongapo city. They're all super awesome and so prepared. The exchanges went well I think. My favorite lesson that we taught was to Brother E. He's an investigator who was actually taught by missionaries ages ago. Just so you know how long ago it was, their favorite elder (Elder McDonald) that taught them, is now married and his kids are either in college or married too. So yeah. But he's awesome. He always asks SUPER awesome questions and we get to test our knowledge to see how much we actually know. I love teaching him. We're planning on extending a baptismal date to him sometime soon we we'll let you know how that goes. 

Saturday was possibly the most interesting day I've ever had on my mission. We were supposed to have a baptism but as you've noticed, there's a "supposed to" in that sentence. So here's the story. We all got to the church around 2:30. Brother R (our investigator that should have gotten baptized) was there with his girlfriend, who is a member. They were both super excited for today. Filippinos are always super super late. So we had to wait a long time until everyone got there for it to start. While we were waiting, our ZL's, Elder S and Elder H, showed up because they were supposed to have a meeting. They never received the text though that said that the meeting was canceled. They were a bit upset because it's really expensive to come all the way from their area. They felt like it was a waste. We later found out though that it wasn't a waste at all. When they met Brother R, Elder S was prompted to interview him again. We soon found out that Brother R still has some repenting to do. Let's just say that he can't be baptized for a month and leave it at that. We were all super super upset and he was too and still is. It just strengthened my testimony that Heavenly Father is aware of all of us. He knows just what we need. Brother R has a strong testimony and his conviction is even stronger to be baptized than it was before. It also made us all realize that Satan is very very real. Brother R has the potential to be a great leader and a great missionary too (because he's only 21 and he could still go if he wanted to). Satan is after all of us and he knows just what our weaknesses are. We all need to strive to be strong enough to resist it so we don't have to deal with the nasty consequences that come… 

So yeah. We've taught Brother R two times after Saturday and let him know that we are not here to judge him, only to help him. And we are also his friends. It's pretty amazing the things you experience on missions… 

On Sunday, we had church and that was good. After church we went to teach Brother R (this was the second time) and we basically just had a testimony meeting. He was there and so was his girlfriend and so was Brother K and Brother L (our BML). It was a great thing and the Spirit was so strong. I really hope Brother R can make it through this and get everything figured out. 

So yeah. That was my week. I've had my testimony strengthened so much about the Atonement. I know that it is real and we need to use it every chance that we can. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of us and he weeps when we make the wrong choices but is so happy when we correct them and come back to him.

 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I love you all. I know that the gospel blesses lives. I know that Heavenly Father's plan isn't easy, but I know it's 100% worth it. We just need to continue being obedient and clinging to the rod. Don't let anything pull you away or make you do something bad that you know God wouldn't approve of. I'm so grateful for everything I've learned here on my mission and the chance that I had to serve. 

Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Keep working hard and keep smiling. 

-Sister Hess

Overcome and Become

Notes taken from the talk "Clean Hands and a Pure Heart"

by David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 

The gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to:

• avoid
• overcome
• be cleansed from sin and bad influences
• do good
• be good
• become better

This is done through:

• repentance of our sins 
• seeking forgiveness 

Necessary for our spiritual advancement, remission of sin is vital enough to make a daily priority.

The ultimate purpose of the gospel:

To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit to the point that "we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2).

This is what we covenant to do. It's not that the covenant (and thus commitment) is made, and voila! I'm perfect. It's merely a commitment by normal, everyday people to try harder everyday and seeking the help of deity in doing so.

Mighty change:

Not brought about through an individual's hard work and/or personal discipline. 

Results from fundamental changes in:

• desires
• motives
• nature 

Only brought about through the Atonement of Christ. 

This is the UPWARD spiral!

The battle of this earth life:

  to overcome sin AND the desire to sin.

To rise above. To upward spiral. To reverse gravity in our spirits. To fly. To soar.

There are two requirements:

(1) avoid and overcome bad 

(2) do good and become better 

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully" (Psalm 24:3-4).

Interesting that here, the words "ascend" and "lifted up" are used. 

How does one do this? Here are some of the keys:

• Have clean hands.

   Do good. Seek to bless the lives of others.

• Have a pure heart.

   Pure motives. 

Is it possible to have clean hands but not have a pure heart?

Yes. 

How are hands made clean? 

• By seeking to be unselfish and generous toward others.
• By overcoming sin and evil influences through the Atonement. 

How are hearts purified?

• By receiving Christ's strengthening power to do good.
• By seeking to become better

No matter what we think or feel in our hearts; no matter what our motives are. No matter how good our works are, they can NEVER alone give us the clean hands and pure heart needed to upward spiral.

 There is a missing ingredient: The cleansing and redeeming power  of the Atonement of Jesus Christ! 

This is the ONLY way to overcome sin. 

The Atonement has a sanctifying and strengthening power.

This power helps us become better than we ever could by relying only upon our own strength. 

No one should overlook this power. 

"The infinite Atonement is for both the sinner and for the saint in each of us:"

For the sinner: repentance; cleansing.

For the saint: improvement

How exactly does one do these things? I want a step-by-step, nitty gritty plan for this. I want to know what exactly to teach my children. This is ultimately important. 

Here is the simple answer: 

From the Book of Mormon. King Benjamin taught about the mission of Jesus Christ--His Atonement. What he taught caused the hearers to fall to the earth because "...they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men" (Mosiah 4:2; emphasis added).

image: lds.org

Is it really that easy? As easy as looking at a brass serpent on a pole? As simple as asking for it? Like asking your mom for a cookie?

Let's look at that again…

"...O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified…."

Is it really that easy? Easy? Yes, but as simple as asking for a cookie? Probably not. Desire and belief must be part of the equation--desire to have sins removed; to be clean and belief in the Savior Jesus Christ and his ability to forgive and cleanse through His Atonement.

Christ's Atonement offers us a twofold blessing:

•  forgiveness of sin = clean hands
•  transformation of our nature = pure hearts


Whenever human nature is mentioned, it takes my mind to Mosiah 3:19 -


"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

Here is my commitment with the covenant I've made:

• "Yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit"
• Put off the "natural man."


Without the power of Christ's Atonement, I remain an "enemy to God," and I have no hope of fulfilling my part of the covenant. 


King Benjamin, in the Book of Mormon, reiterated the importance of these two basic aspects of spiritual development:

"And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you-that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God - I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor" (Mosiah 4:26).

What specifically should we seek?

• remission of sins from day to day
• to walk guiltless before God


When I go to be judged of Jesus Christ, I must have more than just clean hands. He is as "a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). He freely spilled His blood for me, but it was wasted if I don't use it by desiring, believing, and asking for the power of this sacrifice to be applied to me.




Is this really attainable in my life? 

No one will be perfect in this life.

How to strive for perfection in this life:

• press forward with faith in Christ 
• find and follow the strait and narrow path 
• make steady progress toward our eternal destiny


How is it done?

•  "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" (2 Nephi 28:30).
• Small, steady, incremental spiritual improvements.
• Prepare to walk guiltless before God 


Not from sporadic spurts of intense spiritual activity—consistent behaviors.

This is what's so hard for me. Being consistent in anything is difficult. Fits and spurts are much more my style, but maybe the Atonement can help me with this too--self-control, persistence, consistency of behavior.

The only way to upward spiral.

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#1's Weekly Email: Week #27

We got to talk to our missionary tonight. It was wonderful! She's SO VERY happy. Life is good.

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

He is the reason for the Season... MALIGAYANG PASKO!!!! :D

Merry Christmas everyone! 

How's it all going? Everything's good over here. Still no snow.... Still feels like summer. But that's ok! :) Because while all the rest of you are pasty white... I'm *sort of* getting tan bahaha 

This past week has been very interesting. We actually didn't work as much as usual. 

Wednesday was our Christmas Party. We were supposed to have it today on the 23rd but because of some drama it turned into an "Emergency Christmas Party" and it happened on Wednesday. IT WAS SO FUN. There were 6 zones of missionaries that gathered together in Olongapo. We had short little zone meetings and then had a little devotional (which was really good too). We heard talks from all three senior couples and then talks from President Q and Sister Q. It was all very Christmas-y. Then we all went to the fast food place of our choice. My zone went to McDonald's. It's been sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long since I've had American fast food. I got a Big Mac and man, I almost died and went to heaven. It was like being home. Then we all went to the Oval which is basically a stadium here. It has a track and everything. I stepped out on that track and almost started sprinting right away. I actually missed track. Weird. Weird. Weird. 

We changed into normal clothes (man, that was nice) and then had five minutes to prepare a presentation (Christmas was the theme). Oh and the presentation had to be 5-10 minutes long. 

Our presentation was horrible and funny. I guess you could either call it funnily horrible or horribly funny. Not sure. Anyways, we call sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town and one of the elders put a backpack under his shirt and walked around like he was Santa. The other elders were riding on the backs of others pretending that they were reindeer. About halfway through the song, the elder pretending to be Santa shouted "STOP" pulled the backpack out from under his shirt and yelled, "That is not what Christmas is about!" So yeah, pretty sure that our presentation was only 3 minutes long but it was pretty funny so that's ok. 

After all the presentations, we got to play for a while. My whole district from the MTC was there (all the sisters at least) and we all got to chat and hang out and it was like old times again. After that, they passed out presents. My mommy loves me sooooooooooo much. 

President Q gave us permission to go to Harbor Point (a big American style mall in Olongapo) and eat dinner. Man, that was weird too. It even smelled like an American mall. We went to Army Navy, which guess what, sells American food. I got a chicken burrito but let me tell you, Chipotle is better…. 

We got on the Victory bus and headed home. By the time we got home it was late and we ended up just staying home. 

The next day we went out and worked but we only got to one teaching appointment before Sister Q called us and said that they were coming to our apartment for our interviews. So we headed back home and got interviewed and it was super fun and super nice. I love my mission president and his wife. They're such sweet people. 

After that we headed back out but we only had time for one more appointment. So we went to President J's house (the branch president here) and taught Brother R again. He told us that he knows that the Book of Mormon is true now. That was my favorite experience that I've had so far on my mission. He know's that it's true! :D YAY! And also, he's getting baptized on Saturday :) Happy happy day.

The next day we went out to work but we only were out until 4:30 because Sister C was sick. She said her body was just really really weak and she couldn't walk anymore. So we went home and stayed home. 

The next morning, she was still recovering so we stayed in in the morning and I got to read a bunch of conference talks while she slept. 

After lunch we went out to work and it was a lot better. We went around and taught a bunch of peoples. The usual. 

Sunday was good too. Sister C and I got called to give talks with five minutes of preparation. Probably the shortest talk I've even given but that was okay because we were running short on time anyways. My topic was Jesus Christ and his life on this earth because that is the real reason for Christmas. Not the presents or the food. But Christ and his sacrifice for us. I'm so grateful for him and everything he's done for all of us. 

So yeah, I think that's everything. We'll see what happens this week. I'm so excited. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I love you all. Have a great week. Talk to you next week

-Sister Hess

Merely an Outlet

I am an early morning riser….Not by choice. I just seem to wake up somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 every morning. It's not like an alarm goes off. Once I'm awake, I just cannot get back to sleep, so I get up. Not like UP, just up.

I roll over and snag my laptop and the morning begins.

I read and I prep for the day. I ponder life and sometimes, not as often as I'd like, I write.

Yesterday, I blogged. It had been far too long, and I enjoyed it thoroughly--getting the juices flowing first thing in the morning.

As the kids wake, I'm often putting the finishing touches on whatever I've done that morning. Yesterday, I was attaching photos and quickly proofreading. I always have errors. For those who've had to endure them because my proofreading was too quick, I apologize. I often go back weeks later and reread and catch some very embarrassing things. Yikes!

I love to write. It frees my soul. It is purely for my own enjoyment. This blog is merely an outlet….an attempt to reach out--a social connection for an at-home mom.

I try to keep blogging from getting in the way of my family life. I guess that's why I'm thankful that my body wakes me when it does. I'm SO not a night-owl. There's no way I could stay up until the wee hours. My brains too dead by then.

So, I'm grateful to be an early riser.

What You Get for a Handful of Kibble

#4 went to take the garbage out last night. It was cold.

He walked in saying, "Umm…I found a dog." As he walked around the corner, sure enough, in his arms, facing out toward us, was the cutest little Ewok face. It was a cute scene. Brevin had his other arm under the pooch's bum.

The pup was cold, and it smelled bad.

We knew, because of our dog, that this one couldn't stay the night at our house. I had seen a similar pup in the neighborhood that an older gentleman walks around frequently. I thought this must be his, so #4 and I set out down the steps at about 9:30 heading toward where we thought the man lived.

The dog, however, had other ideas. No matter how much we pleaded or attempted to direct, the pup went the opposite direction, lifting its leg on everything that didn't move.

#4 ran back into the house to grab a handful of kibble…..We're out of dog treats. He shoved it into his coat pocket.

Our block is rather large and hilly all around. The man's house we were looking for is simply across the street and down the way just a bit. That would be the easy way. C'mon, dog!

Nope. He would have nothing to do with it. We rounded the corner and headed up a hill….trailing the dog as we went. #4 didn't dare pick it up again because it would nip at him and growl--it had turned into a mean mop on legs. I'm not sure how he got it into his arms at the beginning of this adventure. Poor thing must have been desperate.

After following to the top of the hill, as we headed down the other side, #4 started tapping his foot at the dog. I asked, "What are you doing?" #4's response: "Well, it doesn't answer to anything else. I'm wondering if the old man's taught it Morse code. I just said, 'S.O.S.'"

It's dark. It's cold…..And here's my son cracking jokes.

The pooch leads us up the same street almost to the end. I'm thinking it will lead us around a corner and then another, and then we'll be near his house. C'mon, dog!

Nope. The dog turns around and starts heading back up the hill. WHAT?!

I am SO done with this little knee biter…..I'm ready to leave. He's attempting to pee on every bush and tree, and I have no patience for this. It's cold. I just want to get home.

I start to walk away telling #4 that we have a neighborhood group on the Internet. I'll post something there.

#4 heads back in the dog's direction. "I'm sorry, Mom. I can't just leave him out here in the cold. Poor little guy." He heads back up the hill and disappears into the darkness on the opposite side of the street. First, emerging out of the shadows comes the little white hair ball, shortly thereafter comes my boy.

It's at this moment when I begin to realize what I'm raising. I also realize that this has nothing to do with me (clearly….I'm ready to hit the road), but here's a boy who has almost been bitten three times during his act of kindness, his hand smells like dog food, he's cold, but he's ready to stand by this little beast's side and make sure it gets home safely.

And people criticize women for having more than the socially correct 2.1 children…..

I tell #4 that when the dog goes up on someone's porch, we'll knock on that door to see if he's found his owner.

As we head back down the hill, returning in the same direction we came, the dog approaches a house with Christmas lights. Every light is on inside.

He wanders around for awhile….I'm well down the street by this time. I'm heading for home, but #4's holding back watching the dog's every move. Sure enough, within a couple minutes, the dog climbs the stairs to the porch. #4 hollers out to me at what the dog's done.

"Go knock on the door," I direct him.

"Come with me?" He hollers back.

I return to the house knowing that this can't be this dog's house. He belongs to the tall, white-haired man down the street. We're going to be out here for a LONG time, and these people are going to be mad that we are knocking on their door at 10:00 at night, but all the lights are on, so it's not like we'll be waking anybody, so we go for it.

He climbs the stairs, opens the storm door, and knocks. The little dog, tail noticeably wagging under all that hair, looks back at us. His little way of thanking us, I guess.

A man with a long, dark beard and a green stocking cap opens the door. He looks down at the dog and as #4 attempts to spit out the question, "Is this your dog?" opens the door and the dog disappears inside. The man utters a "Thanks," and the door shuts.

That's it.

As we go to return home, just as we're rounding the corner, #4 grabs a handful of kibble out of his pocket, "Here."

"Uh uh! You can take care of that yourself."

"Ooh. My hands stink like dog food…..Can you believe he didn't even know Morse code, Mom? Dumb dog."

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Things to Do in Pullman

Oh, my goodness! I am BUSTING a GUT here! What a way to start out a morning.

As you may be aware, we, as a family, write to missionaries around the world each Sunday afternoon. Everyone is on a rotation, and we actually have ten missionaries that we are writing to right now, including our own.

I have asked everyone to send me copies of the letters they write to #1 so we can put them in a book, but this morning, in checking my email, I see that maybe this is becoming a habit. I received a copy of the letter my husband wrote to an Elder.

Although I sometimes share what #6 or #7 have written to missionaries, this morning, while he's laying here snoring next to me, I HAVE to share this email.

Let me preface it by saying that this Elder's family just moved. The Warden is playing on that fact.


Without further ado, here is the middle portion of his email…..



"I sure miss your family.  As they were debating this moving business, I did my best to persuade by looking at the top 10 things to do in Pullman, Washington.  I thought I'd share them with you since that will be your "home" too... sort off....  Personally, I think they are breathtaking kinds of places...

#1 - Washington State University - The whole thing

#2 - Kamiak Butte - A hill... nuf said

#3 - Palouse Golf Course

#4 - Airway Hills Mini Golf

#5 - Martin Stadium

#6 - Wawawai County Park - You know if the guy who named it didn't stutter, it might actually have a cocococool name.

#7 - Palouse Brewing Company - A great place for a return missionary

#8 - Sunshine Crafts and Flowers - What???

#9 - Merry Cellars - yep - Another RM hangout

#10 - The Museum of Anthropology - This is the place to find out information about Bigfoot - I think the creators of this place may have visited #7 and #9 prior to seeing Big Foot and opening such a place.

#11 - The Coug - That is the statue in front of Washington State University...  Sigh....

#12 - The Palouse Discovery Science Center

#13 - Nica Gallery - This is actually a quilting center for old people, but it sounds nice!

#14 - Cavern - I don't know what this is and there aren't pictures to describe it... let your imagination of excitement run wild.. It is a Cavern!!

#15 - Marion Ownby Herbarium - In their own words, this is what you can see here:  "This herbarium contains over 300,000 different species of plants, mosses and ferns..." What more can I say?

#16 - The Physical Sciences building on the WSU campus!!  

There you have it the "Top 10" as advertised on the WEB... did you notice that they listed 16?  I have no idea why!  Your brothers are having a great time, and they are getting ready to show you a good time too!!!"

There you go! Have a nice day!