I have been trying to upload pictures, but blogger won't let me, so all you get for now are just her letters. Sorry for the delay in posting her letters! -Joelle
Dear Family and Friends,
Wow can you believe how time has flown! I only have about a week left here in Provo and it feels like yesterday I was being dropped off, but now I was hosting 500 new missionaries being dropped off yesterday! It was so fun to participate in that and help so many sisters start off their first day at the MTC with a smile on their faces. I loved it and am looking forward to doing it again this next week. This past week has been full of events!
Friday my companions and I did our first TRC lesson via Skype with a young man living in South Korea right now! It was such a fun experience. We had no idea what he was saying most the time but I was just so happy during the whole lesson. When he introduced himself he spoke so fast that I did not even catch his name, so I feel terrible, but he told us that he is working on his mission papers right now! Although I couldn't understand everything he was saying I really developed a love for him and hope and pray that he continues to prepare for his mission. He was such a character, very understanding and helpful with our struggling Korean language skills. I have developed such a strong love for the Korean people already. I cannot wait to be in their service and learning of their ways.
There were so many amazing and uplifting devotionals. For Relief Society, Sister Rosemary Wixom, General President of the Primary spoke to us about the scripture 2 Nephi 22:2. She carefully broke down that scripture into three parts. First, we must put our confidence in the Lord. When we trust in Him we will not be afraid. As I give all my trust to the Lord I will be able to receive His countenance in my image. I must let go of my own will and seek to do the Lord's will. I know He will help me every step of the way through this life. Second, Jesus Christ is my strength and my song. I can take on this world because I know Christ is my strength. In the strength of the Lord we can do all things. Love will drive everything we do. Love drove Jesus Christ to fulfill His mission and love will drive me to fulfill my mission. Third, the Atonement is my salvation. Jesus Christ atoned for each one of our sins alone. I cannot comprehend the Atonement no matter how hard I try. As the Savior suffered all that was left in Him was selfless love and the commitment to complete His Father's will. The Savior gave it His all for us. "He came as an individual with a personal message to each one of us" (Infinite Atonement). The Savior knows all. He has endured our trials, feelings, sins, afflictions, everything. Through acknowledging this selfless act we can use the gift He gave and receive His personal message He has for us individually. I am so grateful for my Savior. He has done so much for me. I am nothing if I don't rely on Him and trust Him. The Lord is my strength and will forever be.
Sunday night devotional Sister Sheri Dew came and spoke to us. What a powerful speaker she is. She spoke on how clear a missionary's focus is for 18 months to 2 years. I am so blessed to know that for the next 18 months well 16 now (CRAZY) all I have to worry about it serving the Lord, learning the gospel, and loving the Korean people. My one focus is changing the world. I have work to do and because this is God's work it will change the world. I have realized that in life as well as this time on my mission I can either do it on my own or I can do it with the help of heaven. I don't know about you but I know I cannot serve this mission or get through this life on my own. I need all the help I can get right now. Life is not easy but the Lord saved His noble and great ones for this day because He knows we have the courage and determination to face this scary world and shine the Light of Christ around. Our Heavenly Father has a divine mission for each of us and if you want to know what it is-ask Him and He will tell you. I have a strong testimony of the power of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father hears each one of our prayers and will answer them. When you pray to the Lord, pray for strength. Tell Him exactly what you are feeling, tell Him about your trials you are facing, share with Him your shortcomings, pour your heart out in gratitude, plead for strength and support and ask for ears to hear His voice. If you ever want to know anything ask our Loving Heavenly Father and I promise He will tell you.
Monday my companions and I taught a lesson to an investigator who we have had troubles with. This lesson we finally just planned to invite him to receive baptism. We had no idea what he was going to say but we were prepared for a yes or no answer. We read 2 Nephi 31:4-18 with him from the Korean Book of Mormon. It was such a neat experience reading all together as our lesson. While we were reading that passage I asked him if he believed The Book of Mormon was God's word. He said YES! I couldn't believe it because all the lesson we had taught previously he was set on only the Bible being God's word. Then when we finished the passage we asked our investigator if he would receive baptism and he said YES again. I was in shock and know that the Spirit was definitely there helping our investigator feel of God's love and make the correct decisions for his life. Although here at the MTC when we are teaching they aren't real investigators they are our teachers it is still so real. The Spirit still drives the lesson and testifies. It is so powerful and I cannot wait for it to be a real experience with a real investigator.
Tuesday was an extremely exciting day! I received my Korean name tag! It is so legit!! We received 12 native Koreans who will be leaving February 3 with me! 7 of them are sisters and one of the sisters I actually met through the sister missionary facebook page. It was so great to finally meet Sister Shin in person. All the Koreans are so understanding and helpful with my struggling language skills. They help you in any way they can and always make you feel good about yourself. Tuesday night devotional Sister Orme (New Sister training Leader who I am training) and I were able to sit with the Korean sisters. The devotional was so good. Bishop Causse from the General Presiding Bishopric spoke. He asked us if we ever thought about what it would be like when we meet the Savior? Right now I want you to think about How it will be when you meet the Savior. I know when I meet the Savior I want to embrace Him and thank Him. I want to tell Him I did my best and when He threw a hard trial at me I was able to trust in Him and overcome it. I want to tell Him that I knew Him. As a missionary I am a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ and to be a witness of Him I must know Him. To know the Savior is to feel His love. I have felt His love and I feel it everyday. Love is such a powerful tool. Love is a gift that we receive from God. Love is also a motivating principle in conversion. Everywhere you go there is someone to love. Right now I may not be able to speak to the Korean people as effectively as I would like but I know I can love them. I know love will pave the way. I must know the Savior, feel His love, share His love and do His work. That is my mission.
Tuesday I also found out that one of the Korean sisters had not yet received her endowment and that I would be escorting her through the temple Thursday. When I found out that I was given that opportunity my heart was filled with gratitude. I was so grateful and so excited to help sweet Sister Kim have a wonderful experience at the Temple. I was extremely nervous because she doesn't speak a lot of English and I don't speak a lot of Korean. I prayed so earnestly this morning that I would have words to say to this sweet sister as we walked up to the temple. When we left for the temple, words filled my mouth and I was able to talk to her in her native tongue as best as I could. I found out that her mother served a mission, her older sister served and right now her younger brother is preparing. We met her translator at the temple and she was the cutest little Korean lady. She continued to tell me how beautiful I was and that there was something different about me that the Korean people are going to love. She said I would receive the gift of tongues and be able to help her people out. It was so encouraging to hear those things. The entire session was so special. Sister Kim just glowed and looked so extremely beautiful. I feel so honored to have shared this special day with Sister Kim and will cherish it forever.
I am so blessed. I have been given so many amazing opportunities here at the MTC. I love the Korean people already and cannot wait to dedicate these 18 months of my life to them. They are a special people and I am honored to serve them. I love being a part of the Lord's work. It is amazing to be right in the middle of witnessing the Lord gathering His sheep. I love this gospel with all my heart and know that it is true. I cannot thank you each enough for the letters, prayers, support and love. I am strengthened each day by your prayers and by our Heavenly Father. I love you all!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Heart Mind and Seoul Korea
I am 19 years old and called to serve in the Korea Seoul South Mission as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I would like to thank all who have shown their love and support throughout this life changing journey of mine.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Letter - 1/16/14
Hello Family and Friends,
Wow it truly feels like yesterday that I was writing my email from last week, but here I am another week has gone by, and I'm getting closer and closer to being shipped off to Korea. 2 1/2 weeks!!! I can't even comprehend that! The MTC has been so good to me! It is truly its own little world here and I love it! The group of missionaries that I came in with are now the oldest in the Korean branch! What?! It is so crazy to be the oldest group! All the missionaries who have not been here as long think we know so much but in all reality I hardly know anything, but compared to day 1 it is a huge improvement.
This week so many fun, hard, special things happened.
Two funny stories first. So one of the Elders in my district received a package with some ridiculous things one being a whoopy cushion. In class the Elder's thought it would be funny if we got our teacher, Brother Gunnel with it. Well Brother Gunnel is not really one who has a huge sense of humor so they decided it would be best to have one of the Elders sit on the whoopy cushion when he came in. So Brother Gunnel comes in and one of the Elders sit on it. Brother Gunnel jumped so high! It was hilarious. He was trying so hard not to laugh but he could not hold it in. His face was priceless. We could not stop laughing. Then Tuesday Sister Anderson got stuck in her skirt. Her zipper split so she could not pull it down to her feet or pull it over her head so she looked at me all mangled trying to get her skirt off and said, "Uh Sister Driscoll, will you please help me." I looked over at her and could not help but laugh. As I pulled her skirt over her head I thought we were going to rip it to pieces but we did not thankfully. I just love the face Sister Anderson gave me when she asked for help. It was priceless.
Friday we had TRC, which I think I have explained, but I will again. It is where my companions and I teach Korean native members and help them come closer to Christ. The sister we taught this week we had taught before. Her name is Sister Son (I think, I can barely catch their names when they introduce themselves, the joys of Korean). She was the sweet sister who has been a member for almost two years now and feels like she is lacking faith. That lesson we asked her if she was praying for increased faith, we asked her if she was doing what we encouraged her to do the last time we met with her. She said no. It hurt my heart. I have so much love for this sister and I don't even know her that well. My companions and I tried to reassure to her that God loves her and He wants her to communicate with Him. I have prayed for her since the first time we taught her, hoping she will put more trust in God. She is such a sweetheart and I want to be able to help her all I can. The spirit was so special during that teaching experience. I have come to realize as a missionary not everyone will keep their commitments, and when they don't it hurts your heart because you know how much joy the gospel will bring into one's life. But continual love and support will pave the way and the people will be able to recognize the need for the gospel in their lives. God is all knowing and filled with unconditional love for each one of His children. That is why He has brought His work forth and is sharing it unto all the end of the earth. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
Sunday was a wonderful day. I had the opportunity to attend all the meetings that the Sister Training Leaders attend with Sister Bagley who is the other Sister Training Leader. She is the one who put on the Salt Lake Temple Sister Missionary Meet. She is amazing! I love her and am so glad I am able to work with her. Most of Sunday during the free time I was able to do interviews with the Sisters who left this week to the Daejon and Busan missions. It was such a neat experience. Each interview went so well and I could feel the Spirit directing me in what to say to comfort each sister. I am so grateful I am able to get to know the sisters and help them all that I can. After interviews my companions and I did our weekly walk up to the temple. The Provo Temple is so amazing. It is such a blessing to have it so close. While we walked up there though there were two protesters with big old crosses at the gates of the temple. As all the missionaries walked through the gates they bashed the church and us as missionaries. It was so hard. The things they said made me sick. I don't understand how someone's heart could be so hard. I couldn't do anything besides pray and hope their hearts will be softened.
Sunday night's devotional was amazing. The speaker Richard I. Heaton spoke on the Lord Gathering His Sheep and Hastening His work. I have come to notice that missionaries aren't the first to an investigator because God has been working in their hearts to prepare them for the missionaries. God is gathering His children. God is in this work and He deserves all the credit. My role as a missionary is to help! God is gathering, I am helping. I am so privileged to be a servant of the Lord and assist God in His great work.
Tuesday was a day full of many emotions. We learned another new Korean concept and it was truly the first one I did not fully understand. It made me extremely stressed because it did not make sense. My companions were feeling the same way also. The entire class I probably could have broken down into tears at any moment because I was so lost. It felt like I was failing which is not true, but wow, it was hard. So after learning it, my companions and I were still frustrated so we decided to take a big break from Korean and do a companionship study for us. We began our study with a prayer for guidance to help us know what to study so that we could be comforted. We decided on the Christ-like Attribute of Patience. Preach My Gospel says Patience is the capacity to endure daily trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God's will and accept His timing. We must wait for the Lord's promised blessings to be fulfilled. In Mosiah 23:21 it talks about the Lord chastening us to try our faith and patience. God believes in tough love to help us learn grow and be strengthened. While continuing our study we read Alma 26 about the Sons of Mosiah and all the hardships they went through. They were patient with the Lord and took courage to do the will of the Lord so He could make them instruments in His hands. They put all their trust in the Lord and put their whole heart into His work. What great examples they are to each of us. As my companions and I studied from the Book of Mormon our Spirits were immediately lifted. God lifted the burden of Korean off of our shoulder and comforted us through His words in the Book of Mormon. Mosiah 24:13-15 says "I will also ease the burden which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs. I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." I had a personal witness of the Lord taking my burden off my shoulders. The Lord is willing to take all of the weight our burdens and trial put on our shoulders. We must learn to rely on Him to strengthen us. It was an amazing transformation that occurred within my companionship. We immediately thanked God for lifting our spirits and comforting us through His words in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has all the answers. I have never cherished it so much until now. I honestly turn to it daily because its teachings are for me and for us. They will apply to each one of us as we take time to study it. If one can't make time to read the Book of Mormon or God's word then we are busier than God ever intended us to be. The Book of Mormon is true. God gave it to us to help us get through this life. I have never been more grateful for the scriptures than this year as I have prepared for a mission and am on a mission. I encourage everyone to begin to read the Book of Mormon daily with a prayer in your heart that you can receive personal guidance from it. I know it gives personal guidance to everyone, but you must seek for it.
Tuesday night devotional was amazing! David A. Bednar came and spoke again! On Christmas he received more than 1,000 questions from us missionaries so he decided to address a few more. Two of the questions he addressed were "Why does God allow good people go through hard trials?" and "How can I receive a spiritual miracle?" To address the first question: God allows good people to go through hard trials because He trusts they will learn the lesson from that trial. He trusts them. That is what it all boils down to. The second question: If you are seeking for a miracle the less likely it is going to happen. We cannot force a miracle. We have to pray for ears to hear and eyes to see the little miracles that happen everyday. we must pray for the faith to witness and recognize miracles. As a missionary I have become so much more aware of the Lord's hand in my life. He is truly leading me along--step by step, day by day. I cannot do this alone and must ask for the Lord's help. I must learn how to wait on the Lord's timing and fully trust in Him. I am so grateful to be drawing nearer to my Savior everyday. I am continually being converted unto the Lord. I love being a missionary and I love this work. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord.
Wednesday we had 33 new missionaries join the Korean Branch! Yes we are now the largest branch at the MTC. 11 of the missionaries are sisters so as sister training leaders Sister Bagely and I were able to do a mini MTC orientation for them. It was so fun. We had the opportunity to bear our testimonies in Korean to them and the Spirit was so powerful. The best part was Sister Bagely and I matched head to toe. Yes we are weird Sister Training Leaders but it was so great. I am so excited to get to know these new missionaries and help them in anyway that I can. The Korean branch is the best and I am so blessed to be a part of it. I love being here at the MTC and learning. I can't wait til the real hard work begins. Being a missionary is the best and I have loved every moment of it thus far. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. I love serving Him.
I want to thank you all for your love support and prayers. They help me get through the days and I could not do this without each and everyone of you! I hope you have a great week! Remember to keep smiling because Life is amazing!
Love
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Wow it truly feels like yesterday that I was writing my email from last week, but here I am another week has gone by, and I'm getting closer and closer to being shipped off to Korea. 2 1/2 weeks!!! I can't even comprehend that! The MTC has been so good to me! It is truly its own little world here and I love it! The group of missionaries that I came in with are now the oldest in the Korean branch! What?! It is so crazy to be the oldest group! All the missionaries who have not been here as long think we know so much but in all reality I hardly know anything, but compared to day 1 it is a huge improvement.
This week so many fun, hard, special things happened.
Two funny stories first. So one of the Elders in my district received a package with some ridiculous things one being a whoopy cushion. In class the Elder's thought it would be funny if we got our teacher, Brother Gunnel with it. Well Brother Gunnel is not really one who has a huge sense of humor so they decided it would be best to have one of the Elders sit on the whoopy cushion when he came in. So Brother Gunnel comes in and one of the Elders sit on it. Brother Gunnel jumped so high! It was hilarious. He was trying so hard not to laugh but he could not hold it in. His face was priceless. We could not stop laughing. Then Tuesday Sister Anderson got stuck in her skirt. Her zipper split so she could not pull it down to her feet or pull it over her head so she looked at me all mangled trying to get her skirt off and said, "Uh Sister Driscoll, will you please help me." I looked over at her and could not help but laugh. As I pulled her skirt over her head I thought we were going to rip it to pieces but we did not thankfully. I just love the face Sister Anderson gave me when she asked for help. It was priceless.
Friday we had TRC, which I think I have explained, but I will again. It is where my companions and I teach Korean native members and help them come closer to Christ. The sister we taught this week we had taught before. Her name is Sister Son (I think, I can barely catch their names when they introduce themselves, the joys of Korean). She was the sweet sister who has been a member for almost two years now and feels like she is lacking faith. That lesson we asked her if she was praying for increased faith, we asked her if she was doing what we encouraged her to do the last time we met with her. She said no. It hurt my heart. I have so much love for this sister and I don't even know her that well. My companions and I tried to reassure to her that God loves her and He wants her to communicate with Him. I have prayed for her since the first time we taught her, hoping she will put more trust in God. She is such a sweetheart and I want to be able to help her all I can. The spirit was so special during that teaching experience. I have come to realize as a missionary not everyone will keep their commitments, and when they don't it hurts your heart because you know how much joy the gospel will bring into one's life. But continual love and support will pave the way and the people will be able to recognize the need for the gospel in their lives. God is all knowing and filled with unconditional love for each one of His children. That is why He has brought His work forth and is sharing it unto all the end of the earth. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
Sunday was a wonderful day. I had the opportunity to attend all the meetings that the Sister Training Leaders attend with Sister Bagley who is the other Sister Training Leader. She is the one who put on the Salt Lake Temple Sister Missionary Meet. She is amazing! I love her and am so glad I am able to work with her. Most of Sunday during the free time I was able to do interviews with the Sisters who left this week to the Daejon and Busan missions. It was such a neat experience. Each interview went so well and I could feel the Spirit directing me in what to say to comfort each sister. I am so grateful I am able to get to know the sisters and help them all that I can. After interviews my companions and I did our weekly walk up to the temple. The Provo Temple is so amazing. It is such a blessing to have it so close. While we walked up there though there were two protesters with big old crosses at the gates of the temple. As all the missionaries walked through the gates they bashed the church and us as missionaries. It was so hard. The things they said made me sick. I don't understand how someone's heart could be so hard. I couldn't do anything besides pray and hope their hearts will be softened.
Sunday night's devotional was amazing. The speaker Richard I. Heaton spoke on the Lord Gathering His Sheep and Hastening His work. I have come to notice that missionaries aren't the first to an investigator because God has been working in their hearts to prepare them for the missionaries. God is gathering His children. God is in this work and He deserves all the credit. My role as a missionary is to help! God is gathering, I am helping. I am so privileged to be a servant of the Lord and assist God in His great work.
Tuesday was a day full of many emotions. We learned another new Korean concept and it was truly the first one I did not fully understand. It made me extremely stressed because it did not make sense. My companions were feeling the same way also. The entire class I probably could have broken down into tears at any moment because I was so lost. It felt like I was failing which is not true, but wow, it was hard. So after learning it, my companions and I were still frustrated so we decided to take a big break from Korean and do a companionship study for us. We began our study with a prayer for guidance to help us know what to study so that we could be comforted. We decided on the Christ-like Attribute of Patience. Preach My Gospel says Patience is the capacity to endure daily trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God's will and accept His timing. We must wait for the Lord's promised blessings to be fulfilled. In Mosiah 23:21 it talks about the Lord chastening us to try our faith and patience. God believes in tough love to help us learn grow and be strengthened. While continuing our study we read Alma 26 about the Sons of Mosiah and all the hardships they went through. They were patient with the Lord and took courage to do the will of the Lord so He could make them instruments in His hands. They put all their trust in the Lord and put their whole heart into His work. What great examples they are to each of us. As my companions and I studied from the Book of Mormon our Spirits were immediately lifted. God lifted the burden of Korean off of our shoulder and comforted us through His words in the Book of Mormon. Mosiah 24:13-15 says "I will also ease the burden which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs. I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." I had a personal witness of the Lord taking my burden off my shoulders. The Lord is willing to take all of the weight our burdens and trial put on our shoulders. We must learn to rely on Him to strengthen us. It was an amazing transformation that occurred within my companionship. We immediately thanked God for lifting our spirits and comforting us through His words in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has all the answers. I have never cherished it so much until now. I honestly turn to it daily because its teachings are for me and for us. They will apply to each one of us as we take time to study it. If one can't make time to read the Book of Mormon or God's word then we are busier than God ever intended us to be. The Book of Mormon is true. God gave it to us to help us get through this life. I have never been more grateful for the scriptures than this year as I have prepared for a mission and am on a mission. I encourage everyone to begin to read the Book of Mormon daily with a prayer in your heart that you can receive personal guidance from it. I know it gives personal guidance to everyone, but you must seek for it.
Tuesday night devotional was amazing! David A. Bednar came and spoke again! On Christmas he received more than 1,000 questions from us missionaries so he decided to address a few more. Two of the questions he addressed were "Why does God allow good people go through hard trials?" and "How can I receive a spiritual miracle?" To address the first question: God allows good people to go through hard trials because He trusts they will learn the lesson from that trial. He trusts them. That is what it all boils down to. The second question: If you are seeking for a miracle the less likely it is going to happen. We cannot force a miracle. We have to pray for ears to hear and eyes to see the little miracles that happen everyday. we must pray for the faith to witness and recognize miracles. As a missionary I have become so much more aware of the Lord's hand in my life. He is truly leading me along--step by step, day by day. I cannot do this alone and must ask for the Lord's help. I must learn how to wait on the Lord's timing and fully trust in Him. I am so grateful to be drawing nearer to my Savior everyday. I am continually being converted unto the Lord. I love being a missionary and I love this work. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord.
Wednesday we had 33 new missionaries join the Korean Branch! Yes we are now the largest branch at the MTC. 11 of the missionaries are sisters so as sister training leaders Sister Bagely and I were able to do a mini MTC orientation for them. It was so fun. We had the opportunity to bear our testimonies in Korean to them and the Spirit was so powerful. The best part was Sister Bagely and I matched head to toe. Yes we are weird Sister Training Leaders but it was so great. I am so excited to get to know these new missionaries and help them in anyway that I can. The Korean branch is the best and I am so blessed to be a part of it. I love being here at the MTC and learning. I can't wait til the real hard work begins. Being a missionary is the best and I have loved every moment of it thus far. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. I love serving Him.
I want to thank you all for your love support and prayers. They help me get through the days and I could not do this without each and everyone of you! I hope you have a great week! Remember to keep smiling because Life is amazing!
Love
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Letter - 1/9/14
Dear Family and Friends,
Well I have had a schedule change so my P-day is now Thursday! It has kind of thrown me off a little bit, but it is all good! Can you believe I only have 3 more weeks left here in America! Time sure has flown by! This past week was great as always!
So a little off the spiritual end of things, and before I start with all the amazing things I learned this past Tuesday, you would not believe what I did! You really probably won't believe it! A girl who is going to serve her mission in Australia asked me if I wanted to play 3 on 3 with the Elders. I was super super hesitant considering I could not tell you the last time I even played a basketball game but I did it! Yep miss dancer and cheerleader dribbled and drove to the hoop! It was great! I still have some skill left in me from 6th grade! I think my dad will be proud of that news, considering he is the one who gave me those basketball skills!
Fast Sunday was by far the best Sunday I have had here at the MTC. Every Fast Sunday we have Mission Conference, and wow, the talks that day were ones I needed to hear. One of the District Presidents and his wife spoke. His wife spoke about trials. Missionary life is not easy and full of trials. Heavenly Father gives us trials everyday to strengthen us and see what we are made of. We aren't measured by the trials we have but the trials we overcome. Overcoming trials is one of our biggest accomplishments. Tough trials don't last but tough people do. I have come to realize that trials are for our benefit and when we are going through a hard time and out of our comfort zone we grow the most and truly feel God's love for us. As a missionary God will not allow me to fail as long as I am being obedient. Obedience brings blessings. The Lord will qualify me for His work. He loves His missionaries and will never forget them. Often missionaries are afraid of reaching out of their comfort zone. When you are out of your comfort zone is when you grow the most. What is the cure to not feel fear? Perfect love casteth out all fear. We must cast our fears aside and lean on our faith and love. Throughout our lives we often say "I can't go on, I cant do this, I feel alone, This isn't possible" but remember God says "I will lead you, I can do all things, I will never leave you, All things are possible through me." I want you all to realize that God and our Savior Jesus Christ are helping us each and everyday even if you do not recognize their help. Through them we can push through our trials and have our faith strengthened. If we are on the Lord's errand we are destined for the Lord's help. I know that as I serve this mission and as we seek to do the things the Lord would approve we will receive His help.
After mission conference I was pulled aside by a member of the Branch Presidency for an interview. Brother Perriton from New Zealand is the first counselor and he is the one who interviewed me. The first question he asked me was, "Why are you always smiling?" I did not know how to answer aside from saying, "I love the MTC and I love serving the Lord. There is nothing to not smile about." As soon as I said that he said, "Sister Driscoll, will you accept the Sister Training leader position for this branch?" Sister Training leader is like a Zone leader for sisters. I accepted and I cannot wait for this great opportunity. This next coming week we have 33 new missionaries entering our branch and I get to welcome them here to the MTC! What a great experience that will be. After I received that calling we headed off to Fast and Testimony meeting. I sat and listened to all the beautiful testimonies in Korean, and the last 5 minutes I had this strong impression I needed to stand and share my testimony quickly. I stood up at the pulpit and the Spirit hit me so strong. Looking back on it now I have no idea what I said in Korean, or if it even made sense, but I know the Spirit was there helping me testify of the gospel and the truthfulness it holds within it. It was such a powerful moment and when I sat down we sang "I Believe in Christ" in Korean as the closing hymn. I cried throughout the song because my heart was so full of gratitude to my Savior and the Spirit for allowing me to share my testimony to those in my branch. I love this gospel with all my heart and know it is true.
MTC life really is amazing! This past week my companions and I had the opportunity to meet with one of the district presidents here at the MTC. He met with each of us individually. He is such a positive person and his quote is "If you aren't having fun you are doing it wrong!" He continually told me that he hopes my mission is the hardest thing I have ever done because he knows I am tough and wants me to come out stronger than ever before. He said "In the mission field and right now you are getting your teeth knocked out, but guess what, you are winning the fight. You are a powerhouse." Hearing this I am really preparing myself for some challenges but I know that I can do this. God loves me and has the best in store for me. I will make this mission the best experience ever. Everything about it will be positive and I will come out stronger than I could ever imagine. After the district president visited with all 3 of us (Sister Lynn, Sister Anderson, and I) he told us that "If everyone was like you three sisters the gates and walls of hell would shake" referring to the verse in the Book of Mormon about Moroni. What a compliment! I am so glad I was able to meet with the district president. I learned so much. Life is amazing! We all must love it, live it, and laugh through it.
As I learn about being a missionary I realize that serving is when I am the happiest. Even not as a missionary when you are serving you are the happiest. Missionaries are here to help others change their lives for the better. The only way people can change their lives is if they act. The only way people are going to act is if we invite them to act. Our purpose as missionaries is to INVITE people to come unto Christ. It is all about inviting all to change their lives for the better and take a step closer to Christ. We all can do this everyday. We draw closer to Christ by praying a little more intently, studying a little more diligently, listening to the Spirit a little more carefully, etc. Our purpose as missionaries isn't just to invite nonmembers closer to Christ but also members. Everyday we can come closer to Christ, and what a blessing that is.
Tuesday night devotional was amazing. Bishop Gary E. Stevenson came from the Presiding Bishopric and spoke about having a vision. In life we must see the big picture. We have to find a vision for ourselves and not lose sight of it. What is your vision? My vision right now is my purpose as a missionary. There is not greater vision than inviting others to come unto Christ. The day I have to take this name tag off my chest will be one of the hardest days. Being in the Lord's full-time service is one of the greatest blessings I could ever have. I realize this is my time to devote all that I have to the Lord. The scriptures say, "serve with all your heart might mind and strength." The Lord doesn't want part of me. He wants all of me and that is what I intend to give. Everywhere I serve I will leave it stronger in Christ than it was before.
I love this experience I have been given and I cannot thank each and everyone of you enough for your love, support, and prayers. The Lord is preparing a way for me to serve the people of Korea and I cannot be more thankful. I love this gospel. I love missionary work. I love my Savior. I love being a missionary.
Love
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Letter - 1/3/2014
Leaving 2013 for a better 2014!
Dear Family and Friends,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe 2013 has come and gone! It feels just like yesterday I was starting my first day at BYU-Idaho, auditioning for Dance Alliance and applying for the Europe trip, but nope that was a year ago! I had so many wonderful life changing experiences and opportunities this past year that I will forever be grateful for. Now, I am halfway through my MTC experience here in Provo and I can not even believe it. I have learned so much these past four weeks. It is amazing and I am loving this opportunity I have been given. The Lord is with me daily and I witness miracle daily.
One miracle I can think of right now was when my companions and I were teaching a lesson. We were talking about the Book of Mormon and had our investigator read Moroni 10:3-5. Reminding you our lessons are all in Korean so the investigator was reading the Korean Book of Mormon. After he finished reading he asked us what a particular word meant. I couldn't believe it. Of course none of us knew so he pointed to the word and it was in verse 4 near the beginning. Luckily I brought my English book of Mormon so Sister Anderson and I were scrambling through the words trying to figure out what word he did not understand. Sister Anderson immediately said, "It's exhort," and sure enough, that was the word he was talking about! Sister Anderson said a prayer in our time of need and answered our prayer. It was truly a miracle.
This past Sunday I had my halfway mark interview with Brother Snow from the Branch presidency. I do not remember if I have mentioned Brother Snow but he is the best. He is from Firth, Idaho and honestly is like my dad here at the MTC. When I met with him he told me that he had been waiting for this Idaho girl to arrive at the MTC and had high expectations for me. He continually said how proud he was of me. Meeting with him reminded me of the consistent visits I would have with my own father and how I miss those but there is still plenty of time left for them. Sunday devotional was given by one of the District Presidents here at the MTC. They (he and his wife) spoke on recognizing the Spirit. I have learned that the Spirit speaks to everyone differently. The Spirit will choose how to speak to you personally. As I come in tune with the Spirit I will hear a voice saying, "this is the way." The Spirit is our constant companion. That is a gift God has given us but we must seek for its guidance and companionship. The Spirit is so vital in missionary work because it bears the real testimony. I can try and talk to someone all I want, but if the Spirit is not working through me or working through that person nothing is happening. The Spirit does the teaching and converting.
Each Friday we do a teaching thing called TRC. TRC is when member volunteers come and learn about the gospel from the missionaries. My companions and I have done it the last two weeks in Korean and have had wonderful experiences. Last week the Korean women we taught had only been a member for a year and asked us after we bore our testimonies "how can I know?" What a challenging question but honestly the spirit guided me in asking direct questions to her reflecting on why she decided to join the church, the feelings she had when she was baptized, a time when God answered her prayers and by the end she understood that as she continues to pray, study the scriptures, and go to church her testimony will be strengthened. She also said she felt that her faith was not growing. I simply turned to Alma 32 and shared with her a verse saying "exercise just a particle of faith" then her desires and faith will continue to grow. My companions and I committed her to begin praying to Heavenly Father daily and asking Him if He is listening and asking Him how she can know, and asking Him if this is the way. I know that entire experience was guided by the Spirit because I did not know what to say or what she needed but God did and God allowed the Spirit to guide us to help this sister.
As a new year comes most people decide on some New Year's resolutions. This past Tuesday devotional Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy came and spoke to us. He talked about voluntary repentance, changing for the better. As he spoke he brought up a video clip from the Christmas Carol as Scrooge changes his life for the better. Scrooge says, "I will take the time I have left to live. I will give it all I have to give. I will not be the man I was. I will change today. I will thank the Lord." At the beginning of a new year we all have chance to be someone we have never been. We have a chance to choose who we want to be. Right now ask yourself: What did I accomplish in 2013? What can I do better in 2014? What would God have me change? Why do I need to be better? As we ask ourselves these questions, we evaluate ourselves, choose what we want/need to change, and then change. We will have a desire to be better and change the good things we have done to better things. This is the time to choose who you want to be. This is the time we can become someone we have never been. This is the time to try because as we try we will become. God wants us to try. He wants us to take that step to be better so He can bless and help us. If we fail that is okay. Keep trying. One step is better than no step at all. This new year is my year to give all I have to the Lord. I want to live my mission. This 2014 is devoted entirely to my Savior and my Father in Heaven. I will honor them and represent them as best as I can. I can do this by being positive and smiling everyday, loving everyone I come into contact with, focus on others, forget myself, and ask for God's help daily for every little thing. As a missionary I have changes so much. I listen more carefully, I study more diligently, I prepare more spiritually, and I am more aware of the Spirit and blessings I am given daily. This missionary opportunity is not given to everyone so I feel so extremely blessed to be called as a full-time missionary.The Lord is with me everyday and I know that as I strive to be better I will be able to become who I want to be this year and that is an effective servant of the Lord.
I want you all to know how grateful I am to be here and what a great experience I am having. Missionary life goes by so fast but I truly am trying to cherish every moment. Thank you for all the support, love, thoughts, and prayers; they strengthen me everyday! Here is to a new year and a new me!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Dear Family and Friends,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe 2013 has come and gone! It feels just like yesterday I was starting my first day at BYU-Idaho, auditioning for Dance Alliance and applying for the Europe trip, but nope that was a year ago! I had so many wonderful life changing experiences and opportunities this past year that I will forever be grateful for. Now, I am halfway through my MTC experience here in Provo and I can not even believe it. I have learned so much these past four weeks. It is amazing and I am loving this opportunity I have been given. The Lord is with me daily and I witness miracle daily.
One miracle I can think of right now was when my companions and I were teaching a lesson. We were talking about the Book of Mormon and had our investigator read Moroni 10:3-5. Reminding you our lessons are all in Korean so the investigator was reading the Korean Book of Mormon. After he finished reading he asked us what a particular word meant. I couldn't believe it. Of course none of us knew so he pointed to the word and it was in verse 4 near the beginning. Luckily I brought my English book of Mormon so Sister Anderson and I were scrambling through the words trying to figure out what word he did not understand. Sister Anderson immediately said, "It's exhort," and sure enough, that was the word he was talking about! Sister Anderson said a prayer in our time of need and answered our prayer. It was truly a miracle.
This past Sunday I had my halfway mark interview with Brother Snow from the Branch presidency. I do not remember if I have mentioned Brother Snow but he is the best. He is from Firth, Idaho and honestly is like my dad here at the MTC. When I met with him he told me that he had been waiting for this Idaho girl to arrive at the MTC and had high expectations for me. He continually said how proud he was of me. Meeting with him reminded me of the consistent visits I would have with my own father and how I miss those but there is still plenty of time left for them. Sunday devotional was given by one of the District Presidents here at the MTC. They (he and his wife) spoke on recognizing the Spirit. I have learned that the Spirit speaks to everyone differently. The Spirit will choose how to speak to you personally. As I come in tune with the Spirit I will hear a voice saying, "this is the way." The Spirit is our constant companion. That is a gift God has given us but we must seek for its guidance and companionship. The Spirit is so vital in missionary work because it bears the real testimony. I can try and talk to someone all I want, but if the Spirit is not working through me or working through that person nothing is happening. The Spirit does the teaching and converting.
Each Friday we do a teaching thing called TRC. TRC is when member volunteers come and learn about the gospel from the missionaries. My companions and I have done it the last two weeks in Korean and have had wonderful experiences. Last week the Korean women we taught had only been a member for a year and asked us after we bore our testimonies "how can I know?" What a challenging question but honestly the spirit guided me in asking direct questions to her reflecting on why she decided to join the church, the feelings she had when she was baptized, a time when God answered her prayers and by the end she understood that as she continues to pray, study the scriptures, and go to church her testimony will be strengthened. She also said she felt that her faith was not growing. I simply turned to Alma 32 and shared with her a verse saying "exercise just a particle of faith" then her desires and faith will continue to grow. My companions and I committed her to begin praying to Heavenly Father daily and asking Him if He is listening and asking Him how she can know, and asking Him if this is the way. I know that entire experience was guided by the Spirit because I did not know what to say or what she needed but God did and God allowed the Spirit to guide us to help this sister.
As a new year comes most people decide on some New Year's resolutions. This past Tuesday devotional Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy came and spoke to us. He talked about voluntary repentance, changing for the better. As he spoke he brought up a video clip from the Christmas Carol as Scrooge changes his life for the better. Scrooge says, "I will take the time I have left to live. I will give it all I have to give. I will not be the man I was. I will change today. I will thank the Lord." At the beginning of a new year we all have chance to be someone we have never been. We have a chance to choose who we want to be. Right now ask yourself: What did I accomplish in 2013? What can I do better in 2014? What would God have me change? Why do I need to be better? As we ask ourselves these questions, we evaluate ourselves, choose what we want/need to change, and then change. We will have a desire to be better and change the good things we have done to better things. This is the time to choose who you want to be. This is the time we can become someone we have never been. This is the time to try because as we try we will become. God wants us to try. He wants us to take that step to be better so He can bless and help us. If we fail that is okay. Keep trying. One step is better than no step at all. This new year is my year to give all I have to the Lord. I want to live my mission. This 2014 is devoted entirely to my Savior and my Father in Heaven. I will honor them and represent them as best as I can. I can do this by being positive and smiling everyday, loving everyone I come into contact with, focus on others, forget myself, and ask for God's help daily for every little thing. As a missionary I have changes so much. I listen more carefully, I study more diligently, I prepare more spiritually, and I am more aware of the Spirit and blessings I am given daily. This missionary opportunity is not given to everyone so I feel so extremely blessed to be called as a full-time missionary.The Lord is with me everyday and I know that as I strive to be better I will be able to become who I want to be this year and that is an effective servant of the Lord.
I want you all to know how grateful I am to be here and what a great experience I am having. Missionary life goes by so fast but I truly am trying to cherish every moment. Thank you for all the support, love, thoughts, and prayers; they strengthen me everyday! Here is to a new year and a new me!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Letter - 12/27/13
Dear Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas! This past week was absolutely amazing! Christmas at the MTC was so very special. The spirit was so strong and so joyful. Christmas Eve was a special night as all 1800 missionaries from West Campus and the Main campus gathered together to listen to Elder David Evans of the Seventy speak. His wife said, "Missionaries carry something of great value. It may not be easy to deliver to others, or others may not have a welcome sign for you to deliver to, but our quiet dignity will allow people to recognize what we have to offer." I loved that because as a missionary I know what message I have to offer and that it is true. I know that some people won't accept it but they will recognize our light which is just one step closer to coming unto Christ. That night after the devotional I decided that the best way I can celebrate this Christmas season is by doing the Lord's work! The best gift I have to give to my Savior is the gift of myself, to lose myself in His work and bring others unto him. I had the opportunity to watch Mr. Kruger's Christmas Tuesday night and something I didn't notice before was something Mr. Kruger said to the Christ Child when he visited Him at the Manger. Mr. Kruger said, "You are my closest friend and for that reason I can hold my head high." That really touched my heart. Each one of us has the Savior as our closest friend. We could not ask for a better friend than our Savior Jesus Christ. So turn to Him in your times of need and thank Him daily for all the help and comfort He has given you.
Christmas day was once again amazing. The first Christmas event that was held here at the MTC was a talent show by the missionaries. It was great to see so many different talents shared by the missionaries from music to magic to dancing. The best surprise of all on Christmas though was having Elder David A. Bednar speak to us for our Christmas Devotional. His wife spoke first about missionaries, the best advice she gave to me was "Remember who you are, Remember you represent you, Remember you represent your family, Remember you represent the church and Remember you represent Jesus Christ." I will always strive to do myself, my family, my church and my Savior honor. David A. Bednar did a question answer session through cell phones and an iPad. So 200 cell phone were passed out to all of the missionaries and we texted our questions to Elder Bednar's iPad! How cool is that?! The main idea that Elder Bednar shared that popped out to me was the Savior always taught and cared for the people one by one. The phrase "one by one" only appears in the Book of Mormon 6 total times. The Savior did not teach congregations but he taught by one's. As I search for those phrases in the Book of Mormon I will better understand the Savior's ministry and be able to apply to myself as I teach individuals. Listening to Elder Bednar speak and answer questions from many of the missionaries was such a treat and I learned so much. He spoke of the best quality in a missionary which is when they eliminate "I". The best missionaries are those who know the mission is not for them it is for those they serve. "He who lives only unto himself withers and dies. He who lives for others blossoms and grows." Serving is the best way to live life and show love for our Heavenly Father. God knows our righteous desires, so as we are selfless and serving, our righteous desires will be given. After Elder Bednar left the MTC the next two events that were scheduled were filled with music. A band came and played different variations of Christmas music and then we watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Program of 2012. Christmas was definitely a special day and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to celebrate it here at the MTC. It will be a Christmas I will forever remember as it was my first one away from home.
Other than Christmas, though, another very exciting event happened to me this week. Well, in sacrament meeting we pretty much hold a reaping every week like from the Hunger Games. Every Sunday the Korean missionaries have to prepare a 3 to 5 minute talk in Korean about a set topic and then right after the sacrament a Sister and Elder are called to give that talk....in KOREAN. So guess whose lucky name was picked for this week... yep you are right Sister Driscoll was called to give a talk on faith in Korean. I definitely did not stand and say "I volunteer as tribute to give the talk." But I did volunteer to give the closing prayer in Korean and the past 3 weeks each person who has given the opening or closing prayers has been called to give their talk so I suppose you could say I volunteered myself. But it was the best experience ever. I was able to give a short talk about faith and faith in Jesus Christ in Korean and bear my testimony. It was a miracle. I had to put all my trust in God that I would be able to read what I had prepared in Korean and remember how to bear my testimony. I had only been at the MTC for 2 1/2 weeks and I was able to speak in Korean and share what was in my heart. I owe it all to the Lord. It really made me realize that the Lord will give me words to say when I need them and He is always there to help me fulfill His purpose for me as a missionary.
The most amazing experience I have had this week though is to bear my testimony multiple times in Korean. If by the end of my MTC stay I don't know how to talk to people very well about the gospel that is okay because I can testify to them from the bottom of my heart of the things that I know and that are true. That is the most comforting thought I have had all week because a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel can go so far. I am so full of gratitude to Heavenly Father for giving me the knowledge I have of this gospel and then giving me the opportunity to share this knowledge with the people of South Korea in their own language. I love being a missionary and serving the Lord. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I am so grateful I am able to Preach His Gospel.
Thank you everyone for all the Christmas cards, love, support and prayers. They help me daily and I would not be able to continue doing this work without your help as well as God's help. I love each of you and miss each of you dearly. Enjoy your week and just because Christmas is over doesn't mean the Spirit of Christmas or the Spirit of Christ should die down. The Spirit of Christ can be shared all year round so remember that and strive to give a gift to our Savior that can apply all year. Love you all!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Merry Christmas! This past week was absolutely amazing! Christmas at the MTC was so very special. The spirit was so strong and so joyful. Christmas Eve was a special night as all 1800 missionaries from West Campus and the Main campus gathered together to listen to Elder David Evans of the Seventy speak. His wife said, "Missionaries carry something of great value. It may not be easy to deliver to others, or others may not have a welcome sign for you to deliver to, but our quiet dignity will allow people to recognize what we have to offer." I loved that because as a missionary I know what message I have to offer and that it is true. I know that some people won't accept it but they will recognize our light which is just one step closer to coming unto Christ. That night after the devotional I decided that the best way I can celebrate this Christmas season is by doing the Lord's work! The best gift I have to give to my Savior is the gift of myself, to lose myself in His work and bring others unto him. I had the opportunity to watch Mr. Kruger's Christmas Tuesday night and something I didn't notice before was something Mr. Kruger said to the Christ Child when he visited Him at the Manger. Mr. Kruger said, "You are my closest friend and for that reason I can hold my head high." That really touched my heart. Each one of us has the Savior as our closest friend. We could not ask for a better friend than our Savior Jesus Christ. So turn to Him in your times of need and thank Him daily for all the help and comfort He has given you.
Christmas day was once again amazing. The first Christmas event that was held here at the MTC was a talent show by the missionaries. It was great to see so many different talents shared by the missionaries from music to magic to dancing. The best surprise of all on Christmas though was having Elder David A. Bednar speak to us for our Christmas Devotional. His wife spoke first about missionaries, the best advice she gave to me was "Remember who you are, Remember you represent you, Remember you represent your family, Remember you represent the church and Remember you represent Jesus Christ." I will always strive to do myself, my family, my church and my Savior honor. David A. Bednar did a question answer session through cell phones and an iPad. So 200 cell phone were passed out to all of the missionaries and we texted our questions to Elder Bednar's iPad! How cool is that?! The main idea that Elder Bednar shared that popped out to me was the Savior always taught and cared for the people one by one. The phrase "one by one" only appears in the Book of Mormon 6 total times. The Savior did not teach congregations but he taught by one's. As I search for those phrases in the Book of Mormon I will better understand the Savior's ministry and be able to apply to myself as I teach individuals. Listening to Elder Bednar speak and answer questions from many of the missionaries was such a treat and I learned so much. He spoke of the best quality in a missionary which is when they eliminate "I". The best missionaries are those who know the mission is not for them it is for those they serve. "He who lives only unto himself withers and dies. He who lives for others blossoms and grows." Serving is the best way to live life and show love for our Heavenly Father. God knows our righteous desires, so as we are selfless and serving, our righteous desires will be given. After Elder Bednar left the MTC the next two events that were scheduled were filled with music. A band came and played different variations of Christmas music and then we watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Program of 2012. Christmas was definitely a special day and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to celebrate it here at the MTC. It will be a Christmas I will forever remember as it was my first one away from home.
Other than Christmas, though, another very exciting event happened to me this week. Well, in sacrament meeting we pretty much hold a reaping every week like from the Hunger Games. Every Sunday the Korean missionaries have to prepare a 3 to 5 minute talk in Korean about a set topic and then right after the sacrament a Sister and Elder are called to give that talk....in KOREAN. So guess whose lucky name was picked for this week... yep you are right Sister Driscoll was called to give a talk on faith in Korean. I definitely did not stand and say "I volunteer as tribute to give the talk." But I did volunteer to give the closing prayer in Korean and the past 3 weeks each person who has given the opening or closing prayers has been called to give their talk so I suppose you could say I volunteered myself. But it was the best experience ever. I was able to give a short talk about faith and faith in Jesus Christ in Korean and bear my testimony. It was a miracle. I had to put all my trust in God that I would be able to read what I had prepared in Korean and remember how to bear my testimony. I had only been at the MTC for 2 1/2 weeks and I was able to speak in Korean and share what was in my heart. I owe it all to the Lord. It really made me realize that the Lord will give me words to say when I need them and He is always there to help me fulfill His purpose for me as a missionary.
The most amazing experience I have had this week though is to bear my testimony multiple times in Korean. If by the end of my MTC stay I don't know how to talk to people very well about the gospel that is okay because I can testify to them from the bottom of my heart of the things that I know and that are true. That is the most comforting thought I have had all week because a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel can go so far. I am so full of gratitude to Heavenly Father for giving me the knowledge I have of this gospel and then giving me the opportunity to share this knowledge with the people of South Korea in their own language. I love being a missionary and serving the Lord. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I am so grateful I am able to Preach His Gospel.
Thank you everyone for all the Christmas cards, love, support and prayers. They help me daily and I would not be able to continue doing this work without your help as well as God's help. I love each of you and miss each of you dearly. Enjoy your week and just because Christmas is over doesn't mean the Spirit of Christmas or the Spirit of Christ should die down. The Spirit of Christ can be shared all year round so remember that and strive to give a gift to our Savior that can apply all year. Love you all!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Letter -12/25/13
We didn't get a phone call from Ciarra from the MTC because there are too many missionaries there. We were surprised to get a Christmas email though! -Joelle
Family,
Merry Christmas! Can you believe it is Christmas already! I sure cannot. This Christmas season is such a special one, but I want you to know that the Spirit of giving does not end after Christmas. Think of something you can give to our dear Savior Jesus Christ that will last all year round. On the momormonchannel.org there is a video... I believe it is called The Real Spirit of Christmas. I encourage you to watch it. The very last quote is amazing "Give a gift the Savior would want you to give--the gift of ourselves." As we continue to draw nearer to the Savior we give ourselves to Him and live the life He would want us to live. The holiday Spirit here at the MTC is really special. This past Sunday Relief Society speaker said "Here at the MTC you get to celebrate the real Christmas in the real way." It is so true. I have the opportunity all day long to celebrate Christ's birth not through presents but through spiritual devotionals about the Christ child. Christmas is a time to cherish. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and the love He has for each and everyone of us. I know that He was born in the city of David that first Christmas night. I know he came to this earth to set the perfect example for us to follow. I know He lives and He helps each of us daily. I am so grateful for each of you. Words cannot express my gratitude toward my family. All the love support and prayers are overwhelming but they truly help me fulfill my purpose as a mission. I hope you all have a wonderful and cheery Christmas day. I love each and everyone of you so much! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Family,
Merry Christmas! Can you believe it is Christmas already! I sure cannot. This Christmas season is such a special one, but I want you to know that the Spirit of giving does not end after Christmas. Think of something you can give to our dear Savior Jesus Christ that will last all year round. On the momormonchannel.org there is a video... I believe it is called The Real Spirit of Christmas. I encourage you to watch it. The very last quote is amazing "Give a gift the Savior would want you to give--the gift of ourselves." As we continue to draw nearer to the Savior we give ourselves to Him and live the life He would want us to live. The holiday Spirit here at the MTC is really special. This past Sunday Relief Society speaker said "Here at the MTC you get to celebrate the real Christmas in the real way." It is so true. I have the opportunity all day long to celebrate Christ's birth not through presents but through spiritual devotionals about the Christ child. Christmas is a time to cherish. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and the love He has for each and everyone of us. I know that He was born in the city of David that first Christmas night. I know he came to this earth to set the perfect example for us to follow. I know He lives and He helps each of us daily. I am so grateful for each of you. Words cannot express my gratitude toward my family. All the love support and prayers are overwhelming but they truly help me fulfill my purpose as a mission. I hope you all have a wonderful and cheery Christmas day. I love each and everyone of you so much! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Letter - 12/20/13
Family and Friends,
Wow I can't believe it is time for another email! It feels like I just barely sent my last week's email. This week a zone of 40 Korean missionaries left early Sunday morning for Korea. So let's just say our Korean Branch shrunk a ton. All the sisters who left I miss dearly. They were all such great examples and helped my companion and I so much. I can't wait for the day I get to enter the field in Korea.
Second Sunday in the MTC was great. For Relief Society a speaker comes, and this week it was a professor from BYU. One of the thoughts she shared was "Charity has different eyes." How powerful is that?! When we strive to develop charity we look at people as Christ views them. It is one of the most powerful attributes we could possess and we must ask for it daily to be filled with that special love.
My companion has been calling her parents a lot lately because she is getting reassigned to a stateside English speaking mission. Long story, but she has been assigned to the California Santa Rosa Mission. When she was calling her parents Sunday I was sitting in the waiting room and my Branch President, President Yost, stopped by and talked to me. He is from Bancroft and knows Uncle Dirk so tell Dirk President Yost says hello. We had a really nice talk and he said my Korean teacher Brother Gunnel mentioned how well I was doing with the language. That was so comforting to hear because honestly I know I am picking it up well but I still feel so behind. Out of the Korean Branch Presidency two are from Idaho, President Yost and Brother Snow. Brother Snow is from Firth and always talks to me to make sure I am representing Idaho well. So far so good!!
Sunday night Devotional was so amazing. BYU's Men's chorus came and performed their Christmas concert. The spirit was so special. I don't know what it is about music but it really fills my heart. One particular song they sang was called "He ain't heavy, He is my Brother." As a missionary I am called to invite others to come unto Christ and let them know that Christ will carry them through their trials. He will make our burdens light. We must come unto Him and feel of His unconditional love for us. In Alma 26:3 it says the Lord will make us instruments in His hands, meaning Heavenly Father makes the music. It is God's music and He is using me as an instrument to help complete His musical masterpiece.
As for Korean and teaching and class... It does not change a whole lot from day to day here at the MTC, but this week I started learning how to bear my testimony in Korean. It is really neat but hard because as a missionary I want to express what is in my heart so badly but cannot because I do not know the language. I know that is when I just need to rely on the Lord and put all my trust in Him. He will give me the words to say. Honestly Korean makes a lot of sense and is not so bad once you learn all the different grammar forms. We practice reading and you want to know what the best thing ever is! When I am reading along and have no clue what I am saying and then BAM a familiar word shows up and I know what it means! Little Miracles like that happen daily so that is when I am assured that I am learning and the Lord is helping me. Brother Scoville, another one of my teachers, told me "Hello" from Wyatt Jolley. They served in Daejon around the same time so that was a nice surprise. When I hear all the RM's speak Korean it gives me so much hope because I know I will be able to speak like that; it just takes the Spirit, the Lord, hard work, and time.
I am super excited to see what this next week brings. I am sorry in advance if my weekly emails begin to be repetitive. The MTC life does not change a whole lot, same schedule every day. Thank you all for all your prayers. I am truly strengthened by them. I love you and pray for you. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Remember what Christmas is all about and give someone a gift that will remind them of our Savior Jesus Christ. LOVE YOU and MISS each and everyone of you!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Wow I can't believe it is time for another email! It feels like I just barely sent my last week's email. This week a zone of 40 Korean missionaries left early Sunday morning for Korea. So let's just say our Korean Branch shrunk a ton. All the sisters who left I miss dearly. They were all such great examples and helped my companion and I so much. I can't wait for the day I get to enter the field in Korea.
Second Sunday in the MTC was great. For Relief Society a speaker comes, and this week it was a professor from BYU. One of the thoughts she shared was "Charity has different eyes." How powerful is that?! When we strive to develop charity we look at people as Christ views them. It is one of the most powerful attributes we could possess and we must ask for it daily to be filled with that special love.
My companion has been calling her parents a lot lately because she is getting reassigned to a stateside English speaking mission. Long story, but she has been assigned to the California Santa Rosa Mission. When she was calling her parents Sunday I was sitting in the waiting room and my Branch President, President Yost, stopped by and talked to me. He is from Bancroft and knows Uncle Dirk so tell Dirk President Yost says hello. We had a really nice talk and he said my Korean teacher Brother Gunnel mentioned how well I was doing with the language. That was so comforting to hear because honestly I know I am picking it up well but I still feel so behind. Out of the Korean Branch Presidency two are from Idaho, President Yost and Brother Snow. Brother Snow is from Firth and always talks to me to make sure I am representing Idaho well. So far so good!!
Sunday night Devotional was so amazing. BYU's Men's chorus came and performed their Christmas concert. The spirit was so special. I don't know what it is about music but it really fills my heart. One particular song they sang was called "He ain't heavy, He is my Brother." As a missionary I am called to invite others to come unto Christ and let them know that Christ will carry them through their trials. He will make our burdens light. We must come unto Him and feel of His unconditional love for us. In Alma 26:3 it says the Lord will make us instruments in His hands, meaning Heavenly Father makes the music. It is God's music and He is using me as an instrument to help complete His musical masterpiece.
As for Korean and teaching and class... It does not change a whole lot from day to day here at the MTC, but this week I started learning how to bear my testimony in Korean. It is really neat but hard because as a missionary I want to express what is in my heart so badly but cannot because I do not know the language. I know that is when I just need to rely on the Lord and put all my trust in Him. He will give me the words to say. Honestly Korean makes a lot of sense and is not so bad once you learn all the different grammar forms. We practice reading and you want to know what the best thing ever is! When I am reading along and have no clue what I am saying and then BAM a familiar word shows up and I know what it means! Little Miracles like that happen daily so that is when I am assured that I am learning and the Lord is helping me. Brother Scoville, another one of my teachers, told me "Hello" from Wyatt Jolley. They served in Daejon around the same time so that was a nice surprise. When I hear all the RM's speak Korean it gives me so much hope because I know I will be able to speak like that; it just takes the Spirit, the Lord, hard work, and time.
I am super excited to see what this next week brings. I am sorry in advance if my weekly emails begin to be repetitive. The MTC life does not change a whole lot, same schedule every day. Thank you all for all your prayers. I am truly strengthened by them. I love you and pray for you. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Remember what Christmas is all about and give someone a gift that will remind them of our Savior Jesus Christ. LOVE YOU and MISS each and everyone of you!
Love,
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
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