TIME - What Is This?

There's a famous missionary quote that explains how time on missions go: The days are long but weeks fly by! In the next couple of weeks there will be a ton of missionaries here going home - amazing missionaries who have taught me so much! It gets me thinking about the time I have left. Hah. (My companions love to teasingly bring this topic up ;) We had an incredible zone conference learning about finding and how simple it is to share about the restored gospel. It reminded me of what it really means to be serving a mission. And the testimonies at the end were amazing (: I look up to and learned so much from every missionary (including those who are home now) I've been blessed to meet while serving! 

A few months ago we had Elder Ardern of the seventy come to our mission, in the October 2011 General Conference he talks about time, "Time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price. Yet when time is wisely used, its value is immeasurable. On any given day we are all allocated, without cost, the same number of minutes and hours to use, and we soon learn, as the familiar hymn so carefully teaches, “Time flies on wings of lightning; we cannot call it back” (“Improve the Shining Moments,” Hymns, no. 226)." (A Time to Prepare)

I'm realizing my time on a mission is becoming shorter. Summer is already almost over! What is this? Our time on a mission and even our time on Earth is precious. 

We went by an investigators house yesterday to try to catch her home. She wasn't but her mom was and we asked how she was doing. Her cat had recently died, she was sad but she told us she felt alright about it because she felt her cat had had a good life. It was a cool little moment to share cause it made me reflect on my good life. I'm incredibly blessed for the life I've been given and for the times yet to come! I have faith that what I'm doing is making a difference in the lives of those I know and love! Our time is precious but the best times are when it's spent serving others (:

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25).

Thank you for your love and support!

I miss you all and love you so much!!

~Sister Warburton (:

 

Sunset

 Transfers are coming up again! Who can guess what will happen??

We got to visit Sweet Home and the Tolmans! #mishsis



Special Moments

Looking back on this week, it was filled with moments when the work is hard but.. we saw glimpses of the the incredible progress the Lord is doing. It's amazing! And I'm so blessed to be part of it (: 

We've recently been working with the nephew of our investigator Shawna. His name is Chris and he's had a rough few years but has an incredible desire to turn his life around and become a better man for his family. It's amazing to see the changes already - oh my goodness! It's been really special (:

There's another family we're trying to teach - they're awesome! The father has this incredible spirit and desire to follow God's path. We've had really cool discussions with him and he quotes from the Book of Mormon! It's insane. He hasn't read it, we keep encouraging him to read it and pray about it, but really!

Another special moment for me this past week was we had a lesson set up with a couple, Cindy and Ron but fifteen minutes before they call to reschedule. Hah. I wasn't going to take not seeing them for another week again so they at least let us come and say hi. They've been so busy but we told them about downloading the Book of Mormon and listening to it. Ron was so excited! He also asked a question about baptism that was difficult for me to answer but I tried. I'm still not completely confident in my teaching but Ron told me that I am a good teacher, not just from what I say but he sees it in my face. He says I glow when I teach and I'm sincere. Aww! 

We also taught Timmy! Martha's oldest son about baptism and he told us about his favorite story in the Book of Mormon - Lehi's dream. He's so excited about being baptized and he's such a special boy! Seriously incredible the amount of love this boy has for God and his family!

I love being a missionary! I love this gospel!

I'm so grateful for all of you! I love you!

Happy Pioneer Day!!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 Exchanges!

 Jammin' the car

Hey Oregon! We're Missionaries!

When the comps steal your iPad.. 50+ of this... gotta love those faces (;



Courage!

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." (Alma 26:12)

We had interviews with President and Sister Tateoka this past week and it was cool to be able to connect with them in that we've both been out on missions for a year now! Sister Tateoka asked me what I've learned over the past year and she said she's seen my confidence grown. I know it is through the strength of Christ I've grown in confidence and courage. The meaning of courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. A mission or other things in life may not be easy but with the strength of Christ it's possible (:

We had a ton of cancellations this past week and it wasn't very easy to get through. It's easier for me to talk to people I already know compared to having to find new people and talk to them. When this happens, I have to build my diligence and stamina and say lots of prayers for courage (: but it becomes worth it!

On Saturday, we went on a little adventure to the far corners of our area to a small, cute place called Peoria where there were absolutely no one there we knew and went finding! We knocked on a few doors, talked to a few people, no one was interested but I was determined to somehow leave behind a Book of Mormon in this small town. We could only stay about 30min before going home and the last door we tried a man named Paul opened and we talked with him a bit. He's seen the Book of Mormon musical and was willing to accept our Book of Mormon! It was a testimony builder to see how my desire to leave behind a Book of Mormon in this place and being diligent the Lord placed Paul there to accept the Book. I hope it will lead to a miraculous conversion but we'll see (: I know it is through Christ that all things are possible. 

Thank you for the support and love!! It means a ton (:

I LOVE you!

~Sister Warburton (:

 

Oregonian Sunset

 

~July 16 2016 ~ Happy One Year Kat!!



"Fear Not, Little Flock"

“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail." (D&C 6:34)

Over a year ago, the first day I came to Oregon, they took us to the Haystack Rock on the Oregon Coast and told us about this scripture. We were told to write down our fears and to bury them. 

Looking back on the past year, I had a lot of fears. I had no idea what I was getting myself into going on a mission (; this quiet, shy girl going out talking to people about the gospel? What? There's no way I made it this far alone!

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the ​​​rock​ of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ​​​foundation​; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ​​​storm​ shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)

It was because of this solid foundation, the gospel of Jesus Christ, I've been able to overcome many fears. The peace and happiness I've felt are real. The truths of the gospel have been restored! I'm still learning and I'm still growing (: I still have fears I need to overcome but I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me! He does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves. I'm so grateful for everyone who has helped me to make it this far! I love this gospel (:

"Fear not, little ​​​flock​; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the ​​​kingdom​." (Luke 12:32) 

The events of the past week have kinda blurred together but here are pictures to clue you in on what we did (:

I LOVE you all!! You're in my prayers. Have an awesome week!

Remember to turn to the sources that will help bring you peace in your life. (: 

~Sister Warburton (:

Fireworks from our window! HAPPY 4th of July!

 Missionary fun stuff

 Polka dots!

Uno, dos, tres!

Over one year ago ~ Haystack rock ~ Build upon the Rock



What Is It Like Being A Missionary?

Being a missionary is one of the most incredible experiences ever! From feeling awkward all the time to making a fool of yourself in front of strangers to expressing the deepest feelings of your heart in testimony and to seeing the gospel work miracles! So much LOVE fills your heart! Is it tough sometimes? Si! (Yes) but it's worth it!

This week we said goodbye to Sister Elizondo - I'm so grateful to have served with her and get to know her and her cute quirks (: On Thursday we got Sister Poulter from Farmington, Utah! She is AMAZING! Ah! I wish I was like her at the beginning of my mission! She has the new missionary excitement to get to work and become the best missionary she could be and it's been awesome! 

We had a ton of lessons right as she came in and lots of incredible people we're teaching! I'm so excited for everything that's happening! Our branch missionaries are incredible! We are getting so pumped for missionary work and sharing what we love! Stay tuned: we will hopefully be having more baptisms soon!

I LOVE you all!!

Happy 4th of July!!! 

~Sister Warburton(:

 

Heart? Owl? Or pig nose?

 Last car selfie of this trio!

Sister Poulter, Sister Phelon, and I!

And Happy Birthday to this incredible sister!