My Pathway of Discipleship
Mission Field (Texas - and Arkansas): Follow up on invitations.
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In June of 1992 I entered the MTC to begin my training as a Spanish speaking missionary called to labor in the Corpus Christi, Texas Mission. I, as all missionaries, had the best mission president EVER, Pres. J. Kent Jolley from Rexburg, Idaho and my mission changed my life, literally. I changed my educational focus from pre-law to education as I knew that this was the profession that would allow me to use my gifts most effectively in Father's service. My mission taught me that inviting others to come unto Christ, to make and keep sacred covenants that would allow them to return to home, there was no greater joy. This summer I was extended a unique opportunity. One of our sweet sisters, Hermana Ponce, tore her ACL and had to return home to Idaho, leaving her companion, Hermana Brown, no other option than to join a trio in Little Rock. Well, being the amazing Sister Missionary that she is she wanted to stay in her area (Russellville) and continue to work with her investigators so I was asked if I would serve as her companion. Typically I go home California to spend the summer break with my family but I was heavily involved in a remodel so this summer I was in Arkansas - and as my Stake President stated after my worthiness interview - perhaps it was "for a time such as this​." Of course my willingness to serve was certainly not comparable to Esther's phenomenal sacrifice, but I was grateful to be in the right place at the right time and able to be of service. I never would have thought that I would be set apart, over two decades later to serve as a full-time missionary again. While I only served for two weeks, what a sweet blessing to be able to strive once again, missionary and member, side-by-side, inviting investigators, less actives and members to follow the Savior's example; truly a tender mercy from a loving Father.
Temple Work (D.C./Hawaii): Live what you teach.
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As a graduate student at GWU in Washington D.C. I had the opportunity to serve as an ordinance worker in the D.C. Temple. What a unique, recipricol learning/teaching opportunity that proved to be. While I did not often see fellow students I did see members from the Chevy Chase Ward, on occasions, and it was an honor to serve with them. What a sweet testimony I was given of the eternal importance of these sacred ordinances and covenants and what a blessing to serve side by side with my fellow brothers and sisters in this work. While working at BYU-Hawaii I learned yet again the powerful lesson of "living what you teach." To date I had never lived in a community as small as Laie, which by its very nature provides countless opportunities to practice this particular skill. One afternoon, while I was doing sealings for my family I had the opportunity to serve as a child, while two of my BYUH education students served as the parents, and the President of university, Steven Wheelwright, served as the Sealer. Needless to say that was a moment I was grateful that I was in the right place at the right time trying in some small way to demonstrate my desire to follow the example of my Savior.
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Gospel Doctrine (California): Teach the doctrine using stories and examples.
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In June of 2011 I returned to California following an amazing year teaching at BYU-Hawaii. Shortly after returning home, and celebrating my little brother's wedding, my father was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. We were devastated. At the time the only intervention for this type of autoimmune disease was a lung transplant, something my father was not interested in pursuing. So for the subsequent six months his health deteriorated quickly. Being back in my home ward after nearly two decades our sweet Bishop called me as his gospel doctrine teacher, with the focus for that year being the New Testament. What I did not realize at the time is what a tender mercy that would prove to be. The opportunity to immerse myself in the life of the Savior even as I watched my own father suffer and literally wither away from a debilitating disease. November 9th my father transitioned from this estate to be reunited with his eternal companion, my angel mother. That Sunday (11/13/2011) I was scheduled to teach Lesson 41: I have Finished My Course. My loving Heavenly Father, who knows the beginning from the end (Matt 24:36), blessed me with the opportunity to share with my fellow brothers and sisters in the Chico 1st ward, my family ward since I was a child, my testimony of His Eternal Plan of Happiness, of the blessings of eternal families and my unwavering belief that my father, just as Paul, "...had fought a good fight, had finished his course, had kept the faith " (2 Tim. 4:7).
Relief Society (Arkansas): Discover the gospel together.
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The last two weekends I have had the unique opportunity to serve side by side with many of my fellow ward members and the courageous flood victims in Baton Rouge, Lousianna. Both weekends I was able to visit with, and learn from not only the families we served, devastated by this terribly tragedy but also my fellow brothers and sisters from the Russellville 1st ward and many of my sweet primary students who had recently transitioned to our amazing youth program. I saw them diligently serve for hours on end pulling out sheetrock, tearing down walls, mucking out wet hallways and closets, with never a complaint, or a negative word. This was true religion in practice. Serving side by side, we discovered for ourselves the power of King Benjamin's message - "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mos 2:17). What a sweet blessing discovering experientially the transformative power of this important gospel principle!
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The Watkins (Utah): Be a teachable teacher.
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My third year teaching for Salt Lake City Public Schools I came to the conclusion that I needed to make some adjustments to my financial habits so I accepted a live-in position as an in-home aide to an amazing women, and her sweet daughter. At the time Areba was in her late 90's and needed to have someone with her and Judy at night and during the weekends. So I worked Monday - Friday as a 1st grade teacher at Rose Park Elementary and then 5 pm - 7 am Monday-Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday with the Watkins. The one release time was for church on Sundays so that I could attend my local ward, Monument Park 2. Initially I was optimistic about the money this position would enable me to save, but in my nearsightedness I quickly came to resent the lack of freedom/free time my new life style afforded. Mercifully the teachable moment arrived sooner rather than later. When I attended services that first Sunday I discovered that the MP2 ward was the home ward for Elder Neal A Maxwell, his amazing wife Colleen and all their brilliant children. That opportunity to serve Areba and Judy was one of the sweetest times of my life. It enabled increased time periods wherewith I could focus on studying my scriptures, writing in my journal and of course the unique opportunity, at least for a small town girl from CA, to observe one of the Savior's chosen apostles. This experience taught me what it meant to be teachable. That if we will truly humble ourselves, put the needs of others ahead of our own, and strive to follow the example of our Savior, He will provide unparalleled opportunities for learning, service and eternal growth.