#sisterarps

[sisterarps]

It's time for me to go and share with the people of New Zealand/Cook Islands what brings me the most joy in this life ♡

For those that might wonder what that is, I believe we have a God who loves us and wants us to thrive on this earth. He sent a saviour, Jesus Christ, to suffer for us and take upon the sins of all mankind so we could live in the presence of God again.

For the next 18 months I will share this message with anyone who wants to learn. I am well aware that it seems crazy and like I am wasting my time, because what person living in a first world country needs God when they have lived their whole life without him? Well, I have done it both ways, and life is definitely a lot more meaningful and joyous to me when living the gospel of jesus christ.

[sisterarps]

I have all types of feelings at the moment and I am trying my best to identify them for what they are. I am thinking about the “saying goodbye to my perfectly good life” for the purpose of teaching other people about Christ. That’s something I have chosen to do; something I am looking forward to in theory. I’m thinking about the fact that I’m not going to be able to live the only way I’ve known my entire adult life. I am so used to doing what I want. I am 26 and have decided to put my life on hold for a year and a half to follow strict rules and a routine that will no doubt get tedious after a few months. I feel honoured to be given this opportunity and want to make every second of my 18 months count, but, I have this itching feeling that I can’t shake. I can’t help but think, will it really be so bad if I don’t go? What if I pursue the new feelings I have for someone I recently met? What if I make it my mission to live my best life for Jesus Christ anyway? Isn’t that what’s most important? If I meet someone and for whatever reason, we fall totally in love and decide to start a life together, am I failing? Some people might say absolutely not, but personally, I have been wanting to do this since I was 20. It is something that hasn’t been a possibility before now. I can’t believe I am finally at this point and can say there is a solid date I am doing this thing. I want to have these experiences and study my heart out for people who are looking for answers. I want to teach my children the importance of personal conversion to Jesus Christ through my own experiences. I want to relate to and connect with as many of God’s children that I can. I can’t help but feel incredibly thankful for this experience called life on earth and how amazing it is to know SO little but feel lucky to also know SO much about the plan of happiness, and then, how absolutely honoured I am to be able to share it with other people, and be given a platform to do it. 47 days until my adventure begins! Although, I do feel it has already, in fact, begun ♡

[sisterarps]

As I prepare to serve, I feel incredibly unprepared to go to the MTC. Although I am so excited to learn and experience all these new things, I am nervous about the unexpected. Am I going to find it difficult adjusting to the rules? Will I get along with my companions? Do I have everything I need? There are so many things coming to mind that are making me doubt my ability. Today being Sunday, it has been good to reflect and think about what I want to improve on and how I can become closer to God.

I spent all day yesterday going through everything I own, things I have accumulated over the last couple of years living in Melbourne. Going through everything has helped me feel a little more prepared and is a step closer to leaving. It improved my mood so much. I want to be organised and make sure I am prepared on a daily basis because it puts me in such a good mindset. Being in a good mood helps me connect with people and connecting with people is what makes me feel the most joy.

I was talking to a friend recently and she said something that made me think about the choice I am making. The choice I am making to serve a mission and devote 18 months of my life to this work. It may be frowned upon today, to believe in something that is more than what we can see. To believe in a higher power or a plan that is so perfect, we can’t think of anything that would be better. If I go throughout my whole life believing in something that has made me this happy, then to find out it is not true, what would it matter? I have lived the fullest life I could imagine and done everything in my power to be my truest self. I have tried my very best; learned as much as I can, lifted people up by expressing my love and appreciation as much as I can in various ways, embraced my own individual creativity, but best of all, had a really, really good time doing it.

No matter your story, you are invited to come unto Christ. We can all experience more joy in our individual lives when we turn to Him — who

[sisterarps]

I have been called to serve in the NZ Auckland Mission. I will report to the MTC on December 5th, 2019 and I am so, so, so looking forward to it. I am looking forward to all the connections with people I will make and the friendships I am going to develop. It is exciting to think about how different life is going to be but I feel very lucky to be going to my home country. It is weird, because I psyched myself up to learn a language or go somewhere I had never been and when I read that I would be going to Auckland, I thought “oh yeah, makes sense, duh, of course I am going to Auckland”. Obviously I had NO IDEA, but it just made sense to me. I am so excited and have family in Auckland so I know it will be easier for me to adapt. 

Ultimately, I am excited to share with people how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed my life for the better. I know that I am happy living the standards the church sets for it’s members, although it hasn’t been easy and I have struggled as we all do with some things, I know that living by these standards has made my life so much better. I love who I am when I am trying my best to learn and being the best version of myself. I know most of the time I can do better and there are times I think, why bother trying? But then there are times when I see how trying has been worth it. Heavenly Father knows us and is very much aware of our struggles and shortcomings. He is in the details. I am so excited to live my life for Him and I hope that I can keep Him at the forefront of my mind as I prepare to serve my mission and I look forward to the lessons I am going to learn, leading up to and throughout my time in Auckland.