9 MONTHS!?!

I have officially been out on a mission for 9 MONTHS! What?!

I'm so grateful to be a missionary! It's crazy how much I've felt changed but still feel like myself. I'm learning a ton. It's an experience being in a different part of the country, being part of different lives, seeing things that I've never seen or experience before. If I could put all thoughts and emotions and everything in a way to let you know what it means to serve a mission - it's seriously incredible. Its hard and it's tough. It's work and it's people. It's also the spirit and God. I hear and see so MANY miracles and tender mercies! It's still hard, still slow sometimes. But it's worth it!

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever" (2 Nephi 27:23)

This last week we made a sister Barbie cake! It was a pretty big hit at the cub scouts blue and gold banquet (: Here's how it happened: we originally had dinner at the RS president house that night so she invited us to the banquet instead and asked (jokingly) if we would be bringing a cake. S Erickson joked about making a Barbie cake - we were not serious about it until relief society it was announced to everyone that we would be bringing a sister Barbie cake! So we did it! We used our personally time in the morning to make it and lunch time to frost it. Our cake helped raised money for scout camp and made a little girl and her family happy! 

Life is good!

We've had a lot of trainings on having a positive attitude! (I wonder if it has to do with the wet and dreary weather?) but it's something even missionaries work on. We are not always automatically happy (; To have a positive, happy, and grateful perspective on life is something I continually work on. This is one of my absolute favorite quotes from Gordon B Hinckley: 

“Life is like an old-time rail journey--delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” (Deseret News, 12 June 1973.) Life is a combination of all things bad and good. But to really feel satisfied and happy it helps to focus on the positives (: Look back at all the good things you've experienced and don't forget to thank the Lord for those beautiful views. I know it truly helps (: 

I love you! Hope you all have an amazing week!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 9 Months!!

"Every Doll A Sister" yeah it's cakey..

 



Sweet Home Round 3!

We are BOTH staying in Sweet Home for another transfer! Which means I will officially be sister Erickson's last companion! (She goes home at the end of the transfer). It's crazy how long we've been around each other - especially as missionaries! And we still get along? (; hahah we tease each other all the time and I've seriously learned so much from her.

This past week we heart attacked people! - most exciting adrenaline rush ever (; then on Wednesday we walked around in the rain! It was super fun (: I've really learned to like talking to people! Hahah sounds funny but it's really cool to learn from strangers and just be able to form friendships with almost everyone. Also to feel love for others - it's still hard sometimes because it hurts when someone you really love, you want them to know the truth and progress but... then they back away. It's been a little tough what's been happening with Kiki. But there are still good things happening (: One really good lesson we had with a couple working going to the temple - it was seriously inspired by God - we talked about making their home like a temple. We read D&C 88:119-126 with them and everything just clicked! It was perfect! I love the gospel! 

I love you all so much! Keep safe! Keep loving! The world needs it (: Have an amazing week!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 Soaking Wet!

 Matching! We love Lisa!

The district - we're so cute!

Missionaries... (;

 

BONUS PICTURES

Making breakfast for the Tolman's.  Sister Tolman sent this to me this morning.

 

Sister Warburton found this.  It is a picture of her Grandma Warburton (in the blue dress) on her mission in the Philippines in 1964. 



Be Careful What You Wish For...(;

There's this thing I'm learning over and over again: God really loves his missionaries! Here's how we know - when we ask specifically for something to eat - just once (example rice or chocolate chip cookies) it is given in abundance! So short story: we've had rice for dinner the last three nights (the 2nd and 3rd night were not planned) and given chocolate chip cookies twice in one day (again the first time we asked but.. we are now expecting to have chocolate chip cookies everyday this week ;) 

Also! Funny story: I remember last week I emailed my dad asking how in the world did they do missionary work without iPads?? Specifically without the area book app (our missionary app that has everything on it). Hahah. Guess what happened this past week (; my area book app had some troubles working - for pretty much the whole week! Then there was one day both of ours wouldn't even open up to see our schedule - ah! Hahah again be careful what you ask.. (; 

Happy Valentines Day this week!!

We had zone conference this past week and have officially began the new missionary schedule which is super awesome! I love the testimony meetings at zone conferences and hearing others experiences and testimonies!..

NOTHING CAN GO WRONG when you trust in God and believe in the Atonement!

There are no mistakes in God's plan (: This piece of knowledge gives me so much comfort! It lifts a weight when repentance is in the works, it carries away grief caused by our own or others actions, it brings hope to carry on. I know Christ's Atonement is real! He suffered for us so that we wouldn't have to feel alone. Please don't ever forget this piece of knowledge!

I love you all!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 Don't let the storm get you down!

All the sisters at zone conference



Fasting Miracle!

Guess what! I finally got sick (the head cold plague sweeping through Oregon) for the first time since I've left and it was pretty miserable. But here's my little miracle ~ Sunday, I woke up and had the thought that if I tried my best that day and fasted and had enough faith the Lord could take away my miserable plague! As I went through the day without eating or drinking anything, being around people, and walking a bit; My sore throat progressively got better and the pressure on my sinuses lessened! It doesn't make sense! But I was given the strength I needed to go out and even to feel better! Hoorah! It was an awesome testimony builder!

Here are some interesting/fun facts about Oregon:

There is no sales tax! so when you go to the dollar tree everything really is only a dollar!

We are not allowed to fill up our own gas in the car; it's someone's job - so when I go home I'll have to relearn how to do that (;

Oregon has the strangest street set up! Really though! It can be confusing at times.

 (The road ends but continues on the other end of town..?) 

It really does rain a TON but the winter has not been as bad as I've heard - we've seen the sun atleast a few times (;

Oregonians are nice drivers! (For the most part)

Everyone has a dog and there are cats everywhere! (Atleast here in Sweet Home)

Gardening is HUGE - I can't wait for the spring and summer again!

There are a lot of people either from Utah or have family in Utah! Its cool to relate!

Oregon drives are my favorite! Sometimes its like driving through a forest (:

I love you all! Have a GREAT week!

~Sister Warburton(:

Pday Painting

 Ducks and the river!

 Not planned Matching!

Our twinning animal scratches! (They're not bad)