Family and Friends,
Well this past week I realized that I have been living in Korea for 1 year. What? That day was never supposed to come but yet it has and now it has passed. I think about this past year in Korea and all I can do is smile.
This morning during my personal study I read Alma 26 and that just explains perfectly how I am feeling right now! I have so many great reasons to be rejoicing and smiling! I am just overwhelmed in gratitude. I want you to ponder these two questions: What are the great reasons you have to rejoice? What blessings has the Lord given you?
While studying I realized that I have every reason to rejoice and be happy because I have come to recognize the Lord's mercy and His hand in my life. I have come to see that He truly has been there by my side since day one and that's why I can rejoice because the Lord is on my side and with Him I know that I cannot fail. He is the Master and as long as I am doing His work in His way all will be well. I also realized that I have every reason to rejoice because the Heavenly Father has brought light into all of our lives, especially mine. What is that light? That light is our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the light of the world and through Him we can see all things. The Lord is sharing His light and I am honored to let His shine through me.
I have found that the greatest thing about missionary work is that as I see others coming closer to Christ, the closer I myself get to Christ. When I first started my mission I was terrified of whether I was going to be a successful missionary or not. I didn't know what it meant to be a successful missionary and I didn't know the qualifications. Well there isn't a check off list of things to do or a certain number you have to hit on your stats to be considered a successful missionary. I read a talk this week addressing that and there is only one way to gauge the success of a mission and the success of our life and that is through our own personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Everyone goes through a drought on their mission where we pray harder than ever, live more righteously than ever and talk to everyone but yet rejection after rejection comes. I had that experience in my last area with the one transfer with Sister Stout. We fasted, we prayed harder than ever, we were exactly obedient, and we talked to everyone but only rejection came and it was hard. But through the talk I read I learned that at that time the Lord was putting me to the test as a missionary. The reason was to see if He could trust me. Heavenly Father has an incredible work to do and He needs to make sure that we as missionaries are in it to build His kingdom for the rest of our lives not just 18 months or 2 years. The missionaries who recognize the drought and remain strong end up converting the most critical investigator of them all...themselves. After this test the Lord gave me a flood of miracles and I feel it is because during that critical time I truly became converted never to fall away and the Lord entrusted me with so many precious souls.
This week I was able to really see our investigators coming to Christ while seeing myself draw closer to my Savior. This past Sunday we had 3 investigators at church! It was great! 장미정 and her two boys came again along with another family. 장미정 continues to amaze Sister Johnson and I with her willingness and desire. She was the referral to me from my last area. Over the course of about 2 months we weren't able to meet but she continually came to church with her two sons. We have now met with her twice teaching her the first lesson and she continually just says "Now what should I do before our next visit?" She is willing to do anything and her main purpose of her diligent trying is for her sons because she knows that church will help them. Like it says in Preach My Gospel Chapter 2 studying the gospel and learning of it changes behavior and she is seeing that in herself as well as her sons. Over the course of the 2 months we weren't able to meet we were still able to build such a strong trust, that I know is the reason she is so willing to keep any commitment we offer to her. She is so eager to learn. She is also thinking about baptism and just wants to be ready. We are praying on when that will be but I know it will be soon. Through this whole process I have seen her coming closer to Christ and it has been my greatest joy.
I feel the best part of missionary work is as we help others come closer to Christ we ourselves are also coming closer to Him. C.S Lewis says "We can believe in Christ as we believe in the sun at noon day, not that we can see it but by it we can see everything else." Christ is the Light of the world. He is the light that glows inside of me and you. Every day we can look out the window and see trees, grass and flowers but not see the sun. However it is the light of the sun that allows us to see what we see and that is how we know the sun exists. The existence of the Son of God is the same. Because we can see at all, we know that Christ lives. What can help us see clearer though?
This past week while studying I read about Alma, Amulek, King Lamoni, King Lamoni's Father, and the Anit-Nephi Lehis. Throughout these chapters I saw just a few of the things they did to see clearer and bring the light of Christ into their lives. In Alma 22 King Lamoni's father takes the ultimate step of faith and prays to God willing to give up all of his sins to know Him. While in Alma 24 the Anti-Nephi Lehi people bury deep in the earth their weapons of war to covenant to God their hatred for sin. They are giving up their sins to see clearer and experience the light of Christ in their lives. What are we willing to give up to see clearer? There are so many things in this world that draw our attention away from the things that matter most where we start worrying more about the reputation we have with the world rather than with God. Amulek in Alma 10 and Alma 15 was faced with this exact problem. A new convert to the gospel of Jesus Christ in Alma 10 verse 4 he explains of the reputation he has with the people and the world. It's a high reputation. He is a well known man but as we continue the story we find out in Alma 15 verse 16 that everyone, his friends, family and father rejected him because he cared more about his reputation with God. He lost his reputation with the world but in the process came to see through Christ and gained a reputation with God. I know with all my heart that as we draw closer to Christ He allows us to see through new eyes and things become clearer. I know that as we strive to be perfected in Him we can become like Him and overcome all the challenges of this world.
I cannot express in words how much I love being a missionary. I know this is setting a strong foundation for the rest of my life and I am full of gratitude every day. I know this is the Lord's work and as I continue to do His work "He must increase but I must decrease" (John 3:30) so that I do His work in His way. I know that Heavenly Father loves you. I know that He knows you and He is standing with open arms at all times waiting to embrace you into His arms. I know my Savior lives and is by my side at all time. He knows all things and has perfect empathy. I know this gospel has been restored and it is the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. I love each of you and pray for you daily! Thank you for all your support and love! Have a wonderful week and Remember with Christ we can always see clearer!
Love,
드리스콜 자매
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 10, 2015
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Letter - 2/1/15
Family and Friends,
Here I am again sitting at a computer and I can hardly believe it. I now have been living in Korea for 1 year and it seems surreal. I just can't wrap my head around it but I am also only filled with gratitude. I love missionary work so much and I love serving the Korean people. There is nothing like this experience. I have grown into a completely new person, someone the Lord wanted me to be. I have also never been so happy. I know serving the Lord not only as a full time missionary but just as His Child truly brings us the most joy! It is has changed my life and I could never imagine my life without serving this mission in Korea.
President Morrise shared an experience in his email to the missionaries this week and I wanted to share it with you. He was in a meeting a couple days ago with the Seoul Mission where a brother presented some thoughts about missionaries serving in Korea. He pointed out that the language is hard, the work is hard and it's hard to find investigators, etc. All true. Then he showed a photo of missionaries at the airport ready to go home, looking dejected. He said it was because their mission was hard and they didn't have many baptisms. President Morrise waited patiently until he finished and then raised his hand and said this, “Missionaries don’t leave our mission like that. They come to our home before they go. They don’t want to leave. Ask any returning missionary this question: ‘If you could change your mission and maybe go to Mexico or someplace where you would have 50 baptisms, would you?’ The universal answer: ‘No way! I love Korea. I’d never want to serve anywhere else.’ Yes, missionaries want to find and teach and baptize more people. But we want to do it IN KOREA! So, never think that missionaries are sorry they served here. No one is sorry to serve in Korea. It’s a privilege." As I read this experience I couldn't help but get the goose bumps and completely agree with President Morrise's comment. I cannot tell you what an honor it is to be serving here in Korea and developing this Christlike love for the Korean people. I am honored and wouldn't trade this work and experience for anything. I know the Lord sent me here because I needed the Korean people and I needed to have these experienced in Korea. Only here in Korea would I be able to learn the things I needed. Only here do I become who God needs me to be. I love Korea so much. I love the people even more. I am just so grateful to be a part of this great work IN KOREA!
This past week was great though! Sister Johnson and I are still just as busy as ever that we really are having a hard time fitting in dinner haha but no worries everytime we go to anyone's home they feed us something so we aren't starving. It's so great being busy though especially because it has been COLD so we spend most of our time in homes and traveling.
Our lesson last Monday with 장미정 (Jangmijeong) was amazing! She is so prepared and I just cannot explain in the appropriate words what a miracle this truly is. We began teaching her son english which is always fun and then we started with the first lesson "The Restoration". She loves the church and her sons do also. They have made lots of friends which was really needed because they have only been living in this area for a year and still don't have many friends. 장미정 is learning and wanting to learn so she is sincere in doing all this because she believes it will be the best for her kids. I just continue to feel the spirit everytime I think about this family. They came again to church on Sunday and stayed for all 3 hours! I love her and her sons so much and so humbled to finally be able to teach them. I am grateful that we have been able to take this slow to because we have been able to build this strong relationship on trust and she has become so much more open and willing. I know this was guided and is still being guided by the Lord.
We had the great opportunity to attend the temple this week and wow what an honor that is to enter the House of the Lord and feel of the peace, love and comfort He offers us there. I love the temple and know that inside those wonderful places of worship our prayers are going directly to Him because nothing of the world is stopping them. On our travel back from the temple though we had quite a funny experience on the subway. So about halfway to where we needed to go a drunk man got on the subway and started talking to us. He talked to us until we had to get off. We of course kindly listened but during the conversation he was trying to hook Sister Johnson up with his friend. Weird, then when it was time for us to go he asked "is it American custom to kiss people on the cheeks when they leave?" Sister Johnson and I looked at each other and quickly said, "No have a nice day." Luckily it was our stop so we really could get off the subway. Haha It was quite funny and weird but we knew he couldn't do us any harm.
Another fun experience happened on Sunday. So in our ward we have a member who is from South Africa and she is teaching English at the college here in our area. Well we have become really good friends with her and she doesn't speak Korean. While sitting in Sacrament meeting yesterday listening to the testimonies I received a text from her saying "If I stand up and bear my testimony will you translate for me?" My heart sank. I got super nervous because of course I couldn't say no but me?! I knew that the Lord would put the words into my mouth though so I kindly accepted but telling her to keep it simple. She stood up and then I stood up to follow. I quietly said a prayer in my heart pleading with the Lord to give me the words to say and the spirit so that the people in the congregation could feel the spirit of her testimony. It was really an amazing experience. I only had a few hesitations on sentences that I wasn't sure how to express quickly but other than that the Lord truly through His Spirit brought all things to my remembrance. When I first received the text I was super nervous but by the end I wasn’t and now I am so grateful that I was given that opportunity. It was a humbling and faith building experience that I will never forget.
Anyways that's enough from me! Thank you for your love and prayers! I am so blessed to have so many supporters back home and I just want you all to know that I love and miss you! But I love this work and I love being a missionary. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us. I know Christ lives. I know that because Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us they have provided their gospel to us through restoring it through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that we are still guided by a living prophet today who will never lead us astray. I know we can search the scriptures for personal revelation and guidance on our lives. As we do so we will be taught from on high. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers if we let Him. He knows each of us and is our friend. We just have to let Him in. I love you all! Keep smiling and remember that the Lord loves you for you!
Love,
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Monday, January 26, 2015
Letter - 1/25/14
Family and Friends,
Hello everyone! I can't believe I am here on the computer again! What happened to this week? Why do they keep on going by faster and faster? I know it's because I am loving this work and loving being a missionary. Time always goes by fast if you are having fun and if you are happy!
This week Sister Johnson and I had the perfect week planned and we were going to be so busy but then everyone we scheduled appointments with ended up cancelling. And I mean EVERYONE! I really learned the importance of back up plans no matter how reliable an appointment it. It was quite sad and we also we dropped two investigators but we didn't let that get us down as we continued to work hard and diligent we were able to pick up FOUR new investigators! Two of them being member referrals! I still can't believe what a miracle area this is and I am so grateful to be serving here.
We met with one investigator this week who was going to come to church because we asked her daughter to play the violin for us for a musical number but they ended up cancelling because they were going out of town. But the good news is they still want to do that so hopefully next month we will be able to. I don't know if I have talked much about this investigator but her name is 임진아. She met the missionaries 3 years ago and wanted her two girls to learn English. Since then she has consistently met with the missionaries weekly. And I mean CONSISTENTLY! Her teaching record goes on for days and it has been really hard because we don't know what to do to help her but we don't want to give up either because we know the Lord has a plan and is preparing her. We decided that this week we are going to start teaching the girls the primary songs and teach through those to not only just teach the mom but them to. I noticed that being in primary I truly learned everything I needed to know and through the songs I was taught the simple truth of the gospel. I feel this is inspiration from God to help the progress of this family speed up a little bit. I love them so much and I can just see the sincerity in her eyes when she tells us that she wants to know. It is such a wonderful experience to help those here in Korea find truth and know that they can. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of the Holy Ghost and of prayer. I know that through prayer we can find our answers and God gives us those answers through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Friday was our busiest day as we were able to meet with a member and do a practice lessons and also meet with a referral from a member.Our practice lesson with the member was really good. She is a sweet woman in the ward who is a young mom and is really in need of comfort and love. She always invites us over and cares for us so well. This time we met with her she was a little down on herself though and feeling insufficient. As Sister Johnson and I listened I kept praying in my heart to be given the correct words of what to say that would comfort her heart. Nothing was coming to me though. I couldn't understand why and still don't. I truly was pleading but not a thought or scripture came to me. I could tell that she was just reaching out her hand to us so that we could grab on and help her up but I couldn't grab on and I don't understand why. I walked away from that appointment sad because I wasn't able to assist her to the best of my ability. I then thought of the Savior. That is exactly how the Savior is too us but a little switched around. He is consistently holding is hand out to us to grab on and when we grab on those feeling of insufficiency can disappear peace and comfort can enter our bodies and we can know with surety that we are safe in His hands. As a missionary I am the Lord's hands and the Lord is placing people into my hands all the time. I must be like the Savior so that when these people enter my hands they can feel that peace and comfort that the Savior gives. I learned a lot through that experience and sometimes the Lord holds our tongue so that we can just listen and not speak. Or He holds our tongue because He has a better plan and at the moment it is hard to see but we have to just trust Him.
That night we met with another member and the referral that we received. It was a dinner appointment so we were able to just build a really good relationship. It was a great time. The now new investigator is amazing! Her English name is Nanan. She has English interest but she is totally ready for the gospel I feel! We are going to meet her weekly at the members house and things are really looking up.
Then Sunday the referral that I received from my last area 금천, 장미정 and her boys came to church again! She is not even an investigator yet because we haven't been able to meet with her but she has consistently come to church since I got here and finally we were able to grab an appointment with her! I have loved seeing the Lord do His work with her though. I knew that He wouldn't let her go and if I just continued to trust in Him and His timing things will work out and boy have they ever! We will being meeting with her today and I can't wait! I can see her interest just burning and she is ready to hear the joyful message of the Gospel. I keep feeling so strongly in my heart that she is truly a miracle and she has been prepared by the Lord.
This week I had read in the Book of Mormon about Alma and Amulek. Amulek was prepared by the Lord for Alma to find and teach. This week we may have had lots of cancelled appointment but we definitely found people that the Lord has prepared to hear the gospel. I know that the Lord is aware of all His children and that each event in our lives is preparing us to more fully accept His gospel and return to Him. I love this gospel and know it is true.
Now for a funny story though on Saturday we went sticker boarding with the district by the entrance/exit of a subway. We had these nicely made flyers made by one of the elders and we put them to use! It was super busy and we were pretty popular, Sister Johnson and I talked afterward and said that had been the most successful sticker boarding we had ever done! I had even had a great conversation with a lady about our English program and a little bit about our church. She was pretty interested so I gave her a flyer.. By the end, some people in dog costumes took over our area.. they were advertising their dog cafe (a cafe with dogs you can play with). So we called it quits but still felt pretty successful! Then on Sunday we were in Ward Mission Council and the elders brought up one small piece of information that was shocking. THE PHONE NUMBER ON THE FLYER WAS WRONG. The elder who had made it accidentally switched two of the numbers.. They called that number that was on the flyer and a lady answered telling them that she had received a lot of phone calls.. ALL THE INVESTIGATORS WE COULD HAVE HAD! Haha when we found out, I was in shock for ten minutes. I couldn't believe it! Our best sticker boarding ever. Wrong number. All those potential investigators.. WHY?!?! Haha we were all pretty upset/mad/frustrated/confused, but in the end we'll all laugh about this, right? That just means we have to try harder the next time we do sticker boarding! And continually apologize to the person whose number is on our free English flyers..
Thanks for all your love support and prayers.! I love each of you and miss you! Remember to keep going forth with faith! I relief society we reviewed Sister Linda K. Burton's talk about being prepared for the temple and as I listened to the sisters comments I realize that the best way to be prepared for anything is to be consistent and diligent. I know that as we consistently strive to live the gospel and be faithful to it we can and will be prepared. It is truly the best way to prepare for all the promised blessings of the Lord. Live the gospel. Love the gospel and Trust in the Lord! He knows what is best for each of us and He is guiding us each day to that we can be prepared. I love being a missionary. I love this gospel. I love this work. I love Korea. I love the Korean people. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Hello everyone! I can't believe I am here on the computer again! What happened to this week? Why do they keep on going by faster and faster? I know it's because I am loving this work and loving being a missionary. Time always goes by fast if you are having fun and if you are happy!
This week Sister Johnson and I had the perfect week planned and we were going to be so busy but then everyone we scheduled appointments with ended up cancelling. And I mean EVERYONE! I really learned the importance of back up plans no matter how reliable an appointment it. It was quite sad and we also we dropped two investigators but we didn't let that get us down as we continued to work hard and diligent we were able to pick up FOUR new investigators! Two of them being member referrals! I still can't believe what a miracle area this is and I am so grateful to be serving here.
We met with one investigator this week who was going to come to church because we asked her daughter to play the violin for us for a musical number but they ended up cancelling because they were going out of town. But the good news is they still want to do that so hopefully next month we will be able to. I don't know if I have talked much about this investigator but her name is 임진아. She met the missionaries 3 years ago and wanted her two girls to learn English. Since then she has consistently met with the missionaries weekly. And I mean CONSISTENTLY! Her teaching record goes on for days and it has been really hard because we don't know what to do to help her but we don't want to give up either because we know the Lord has a plan and is preparing her. We decided that this week we are going to start teaching the girls the primary songs and teach through those to not only just teach the mom but them to. I noticed that being in primary I truly learned everything I needed to know and through the songs I was taught the simple truth of the gospel. I feel this is inspiration from God to help the progress of this family speed up a little bit. I love them so much and I can just see the sincerity in her eyes when she tells us that she wants to know. It is such a wonderful experience to help those here in Korea find truth and know that they can. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of the Holy Ghost and of prayer. I know that through prayer we can find our answers and God gives us those answers through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Friday was our busiest day as we were able to meet with a member and do a practice lessons and also meet with a referral from a member.Our practice lesson with the member was really good. She is a sweet woman in the ward who is a young mom and is really in need of comfort and love. She always invites us over and cares for us so well. This time we met with her she was a little down on herself though and feeling insufficient. As Sister Johnson and I listened I kept praying in my heart to be given the correct words of what to say that would comfort her heart. Nothing was coming to me though. I couldn't understand why and still don't. I truly was pleading but not a thought or scripture came to me. I could tell that she was just reaching out her hand to us so that we could grab on and help her up but I couldn't grab on and I don't understand why. I walked away from that appointment sad because I wasn't able to assist her to the best of my ability. I then thought of the Savior. That is exactly how the Savior is too us but a little switched around. He is consistently holding is hand out to us to grab on and when we grab on those feeling of insufficiency can disappear peace and comfort can enter our bodies and we can know with surety that we are safe in His hands. As a missionary I am the Lord's hands and the Lord is placing people into my hands all the time. I must be like the Savior so that when these people enter my hands they can feel that peace and comfort that the Savior gives. I learned a lot through that experience and sometimes the Lord holds our tongue so that we can just listen and not speak. Or He holds our tongue because He has a better plan and at the moment it is hard to see but we have to just trust Him.
That night we met with another member and the referral that we received. It was a dinner appointment so we were able to just build a really good relationship. It was a great time. The now new investigator is amazing! Her English name is Nanan. She has English interest but she is totally ready for the gospel I feel! We are going to meet her weekly at the members house and things are really looking up.
Then Sunday the referral that I received from my last area 금천, 장미정 and her boys came to church again! She is not even an investigator yet because we haven't been able to meet with her but she has consistently come to church since I got here and finally we were able to grab an appointment with her! I have loved seeing the Lord do His work with her though. I knew that He wouldn't let her go and if I just continued to trust in Him and His timing things will work out and boy have they ever! We will being meeting with her today and I can't wait! I can see her interest just burning and she is ready to hear the joyful message of the Gospel. I keep feeling so strongly in my heart that she is truly a miracle and she has been prepared by the Lord.
This week I had read in the Book of Mormon about Alma and Amulek. Amulek was prepared by the Lord for Alma to find and teach. This week we may have had lots of cancelled appointment but we definitely found people that the Lord has prepared to hear the gospel. I know that the Lord is aware of all His children and that each event in our lives is preparing us to more fully accept His gospel and return to Him. I love this gospel and know it is true.
Now for a funny story though on Saturday we went sticker boarding with the district by the entrance/exit of a subway. We had these nicely made flyers made by one of the elders and we put them to use! It was super busy and we were pretty popular, Sister Johnson and I talked afterward and said that had been the most successful sticker boarding we had ever done! I had even had a great conversation with a lady about our English program and a little bit about our church. She was pretty interested so I gave her a flyer.. By the end, some people in dog costumes took over our area.. they were advertising their dog cafe (a cafe with dogs you can play with). So we called it quits but still felt pretty successful! Then on Sunday we were in Ward Mission Council and the elders brought up one small piece of information that was shocking. THE PHONE NUMBER ON THE FLYER WAS WRONG. The elder who had made it accidentally switched two of the numbers.. They called that number that was on the flyer and a lady answered telling them that she had received a lot of phone calls.. ALL THE INVESTIGATORS WE COULD HAVE HAD! Haha when we found out, I was in shock for ten minutes. I couldn't believe it! Our best sticker boarding ever. Wrong number. All those potential investigators.. WHY?!?! Haha we were all pretty upset/mad/frustrated/confused, but in the end we'll all laugh about this, right? That just means we have to try harder the next time we do sticker boarding! And continually apologize to the person whose number is on our free English flyers..
Thanks for all your love support and prayers.! I love each of you and miss you! Remember to keep going forth with faith! I relief society we reviewed Sister Linda K. Burton's talk about being prepared for the temple and as I listened to the sisters comments I realize that the best way to be prepared for anything is to be consistent and diligent. I know that as we consistently strive to live the gospel and be faithful to it we can and will be prepared. It is truly the best way to prepare for all the promised blessings of the Lord. Live the gospel. Love the gospel and Trust in the Lord! He knows what is best for each of us and He is guiding us each day to that we can be prepared. I love being a missionary. I love this gospel. I love this work. I love Korea. I love the Korean people. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Letter - 1/18/15
Dear Family and Friends,
Wow what has happened to time! I believe that it just continues to go faster and faster. I know I mention this almost every week but oh my goodness how is it already Monday again?! As I have pondered my mission this week I have noticed how as time has gotten faster my mission has just gotten better and it continues to get better. Just as I think that it couldn't get better Heavenly Father throws another wonderful blessing at me that I just don't deserve but yet willfully receive them because I can't deny what He wants to give. He is always sending us blessings because we are His children and He loves us. But it is our responisibilty to accept them and run with them.
This week was just another amazing week in 곡반정 (Gokbanjeong). Monday we spent all of P-day with our investigator 정수 and her sister 미수 at the Korean Folk village in Suwon. It was full of pictures, laughs, food and adventure. WE invited her to the Stake Youth Activity we had this weekend and she came! IT was so fun she was able to meet lots of friends and the Young Women Leaders really welcomed her in so well. It was so amazing to see all the youth here in Korea have a fun time together playing with each other and strengthening each other in the gospel. It is always great to see them do that because it's a reminder to them that they are not alone and they always have each other. But then after there was a slight downfall. Our investigator told us that since school is starting back up again and she will be a senior this year that she won't have time to meet anymore because she has to study. I wanted to cry but she said to continue contacting her and when she has time we can meet. It was so hard but Heavenly Father has a plan and bigger picture that I just cannot see but I must trust in Him.
Tuesday were filled with appointments from teaching englsih to investigator lessons to practice lessons which was just great. Being busy is the greatest, although sometimes Sister Johnson and I forget to schedule time to eat. But no worries our sweet stomachs remind us everyday that they need food. Sister Johnson is the cook of the house and if it weren't for her I would be starving. Wednesday was similar to Tuesday as we had two lessons with members which is just the greatest. We just got a new Relief Society President and oh my goodness what a miracle she is! She is an answer to every missionary's prayer as she tells us exactly who she wants us to visit and willingly goes with us to visit certain people. I am so grateful for her and to be working with her.
Thursday we had Zone Conference which was so great and amazing! We trained on stewardship. A steward is a person who takes care of the affairs and property of another. We are stewards to the Lord. Everything belongs to Him but the Lord has entrusted each of us with special things right now. The Lord has entrusted me with his dear children in Korea, with his land, his gospel, and his love. "And now remember my son that God has entrusted you with these things which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him that he may show forth his power unto future generations" Alma 37:14. God trusts us. We must seek his will and do his will. He has a plan and He has called us to help Him fulfill it. This is not my life or my mission. It never will be because no matter what I need the Savior and His atonement and that gift belong to my Father in Heaven. "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants." Mosiah 2:21. I cannot waste the breath the Lord has given me so now is the time to surrender to Him and live the life He has prepared which is better then I can ever imagine.
OH and Sunday was the best! We had 3 less actives at church, 3 recent converts and 장미정 the referral from my last area came to church again this week! So great! Miracles are everywhere!
Missionary life is truly just as great as I could have ever imagined. This week I have thought a lot about companionships. I wondered what has made these two transfers with Sister Johnson so amazing. My brother gave me the answer last week in his email. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." (African Proverb). When I read that quote I immediately thought of my companioship with Sister Johnson and the growth we have seen not only in our area but ourselves. Why have we been able to get so far together? Because since day 1 it just happened to be that we did everything together. We were in the same area of the Book of Mormon. Our companionship studies have been learning times and revelation times. Language study we study together for 30 minutes. Then throughout the day and in all our teaching appointments I have never taught so unified with a companion. Because of this unity we have seen all these miracles and watched the Lord do the work He wants done. He is completing the big picture He sees through us together! Not individually. We can't see His big picture very well but we are doing our best at completing our part and surrendering to His will so we can go far in His eyes and fulfill all that He has prepared for us.
Along with this quote we can think of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Savior is our best friend. We need Him. He is walking with us every step of the way as long as we let Him. The Savior never leaves us unless we walk away but in order to experience the greatest blessings of peace, joy, happiness, love and humility we must go together. The Savior helps me reach the full potential that God sees in me. In order to go far I must have the Savior by my side. I know that my Savior lives. I know that He loves me. I know as I follow in His footsteps that I can reach that farthest point that God has prepared for me. But I know I cannot do it alone. I must go hand in hand with the Savior relying on Him and His atonement so I can change, progress and become better. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for the gospel. The gospel truly encourages change and we can change because of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you to each of you for your prayers, love, support, counsel, oh just EVERYTHING! My heart is drawn in gratitude and I just want you all to know that I love each of you and miss each of you dearly! Thank you so much for your wonderful examples! I love this work! I love being a missionary and I know this gospel is true! Remember to go far this week hand in hand with the Lord and you will never regret it!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Letter - 1/11/15
Family and Friends,
Well I am still not use to the New Year! I cannot tell you how many times that I have continued to write 2014 everytime I write the date. I didn't realize the transition it takes to write 2015 on a piece of paper but sure enough 2015 has come and another week has flown by. Sister Johnson and I have truly been so busy and just continue to get busier. I don't know how we are able to do all the things we do but the Lord always provides the way for us each day to fulfill our purpose to the fullest.
After email last pday I got a call from Sister Hunter, who is serving in my first area, telling me that one of the women I taught there got baptized last week. It was super special and great to know that the efforts we put in everywhere we go never go wasted. Heavenly Father uses each of our effrot to fulffill his purpose and bring His children back to him. I know the Lord has a perfect plan for that woman, and I am so grateful to know that I was a part of it. The Lord's work will always go forth in His way and I am so grateful to have that testimony.
This past week we successfully hit 10 lessons again and what a joy it is when you reach your goals and help others come unto Christ. One lesson we had was with a member who wants us to teach her son English before he goes to America this summer. We talked about faith and we shared a quote from Elder Russel M. Nelson's talk "Let your Faith Show." At the end of the quote it says show your faith, and the member immediately said she wasn't good at that, but she invites people to meet with missionaries so people can have good impressions and facts about us and the Church because there is so much bad stuff that people believe. As she was talking a thought came to my mind that was in the book True to the Faith about how the best way we can share the message of the gospel is through our example. I don't usually bring that book with me but for some reason that day I did. I couldn't remember where the quote was so as I was searching I said a little prayer and there I opened to the topic of missionary work and found exactly what I was looking for. The minute I found it Sister Johnson said she was thinking that same thing. We had the member read it and she was just amazed because it was exactly what she needed. It was really neat to see because I saw her testimony strengthened because she realized how well it applied to her and I once again had a testimony building experience that the Lord does and always will bring things to our rememberance when they are needed to help others.
We had another lesson with a less active which was so great. We talked about the spirit and she recently has been able to recognize the spirit a lot in her life showing her and teaching her the things she should be doing through her kids' examples, missionary messages, and the prophets words. She told us of an experience she had just recently that since her kids are on break she sees them always praying before bed and after they wake up every morning. She is learning so much through their examples and then the elders went and visited her and taught her again on prayer. Then as we talked about the spirit she said she now recognizes what the Lord is wanting of her. Through the missionarie and her children's example the Lord is influencing her to again get on her knees and build that relationship with God again. It was a really powerful experince to watch her receive this revelation for herself. I know that often the Lord sends others into our lives to help up learn and grow. I have been influenced so much by others and I cannot thank Heavenly Father enough for the people He has brought into my life.
Friday we met with an investigator who is 15 and we haven't been able to meet for a while due to other things coming up but wow meeting with her was just the greatest. We had such a good lesson and Sister Johnson and I just walked away smiling away because of the spirit of unity we felt as we taught. We taught about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon which she really enjoyed. When we asked her if she understood and the significance of the restoration she just retaught us everything and was full of gratitude that she came to know of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. She is just the greatest to teach because she is so patient with us and our Korean but also listens intently to what we are saying and understands the importance of our message. She listens well, answers our questions better then any investigator I have ever taught, understands, and is praying for help all the time. Teaching her is just a tender mercy that the Lord has given us.
Sister Johnson and I have a new best friend who is our investigator named 김정수 and we go do fun things with her all the time. She was a referral from a member and this week we went to a Korean palace and last week we went to the Buddhist temple. We haven't been able to teach the lessons to her yet but we invited her to come to church and she said she wanted to come. We are spending P-day with her and her sister today so that will be lots of fun. She is truly so sweet and has so much potential so we have high hopes for her but right now we are just building a solid relationship of trust and letting the Lord work His miracles within her.
Sunday was one of the greatest Sundays I have had in Korea. So many great things happened and life as a missionary is just great. Two of the youth of our ward gave their farewell talks in sacrament meeting. They left for their missions today. I truly am amazed with the strength of the youth here in Korea. Their testimonies truly are unshakable. For the musical number both families of the missionaries sang "I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go" and how the power that was felt as they sang. The spirit was so strong that the entire congregation had tears running down their faces and yes I was one with tears. Listening to it took me back to when I was preparing to go on my mission and how hard it was to gain the courage to actually go. To leave everything behind and give your whole self to the Lord. But wow once you experience the miracle of giving yourself to the Lord you cannot experience greater joy. This decision I have made has been the best decision. I love being a missionary and am so grateful the Lord has guided me to this point in my life and led me here.
To conitnue the story from last week with the lady we met at the bus stop. We met with her Sunday night and the whole time Sister Johnson and I couldn't tell if she had been baptized or if she was just well educated on our church. She truly was the nicest lady ever and was telling us all these places that we shoud try to do missionary work. We finally got her to tell her story and 25 years ago she met missionaries and met with them often. She has them over with her family and come to find out SHE WAS BAPTIZED! After 2 years of going to church in the ward she was baptized in she moved away and got married. She never could find the church and said she never even saw missionaries until 23 years later when last week Sister Johnson and I stopped at the bus stop where she was. WHAT? I would have to say miracle, right? She now wants her son to learn about the gospel and is just the sweetest person on the planet. She told us she wants to be our mom and is going to care for us like her own children. It's just so amazing to see how the Lord works. I am grateful to witness it everyday. He truly does have perfect timing and sometimes I don't understand His timing but I have learned to trust it. I know we were meant to meet this woman for a reason and I know it will be a miraculous experience.
I just want you all to know how much I love each of you. Thank you so much for your prayers in my behalf. I truly am having the most wonderful experince as a missionary because of the prayers you offer in my behalf everyday. I am so grateful to be apart of this great work. Sister Johnson and I were talking this morning about how happy we are and all the blessings we have seen. We have truly been blessed with the ability and power to conquer Satan these past weeks and I know it is because of our surrendering to the will of the Lord and fulfilling our purpose everyday by finding and helping others to come unto Christ. I know that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He is inviting me and you to come unto Him and partake of His infinite goodness. I love my Savior and I am humbled everyday to wear His name on my chest and represent Him. I love this gospel. I know it is true. Have a wonderful week! Remember the miracles of Christ this week and pray for the eyes to see the tender mercies God gives you each day! LOVE YOU MISS YOU!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Well I am still not use to the New Year! I cannot tell you how many times that I have continued to write 2014 everytime I write the date. I didn't realize the transition it takes to write 2015 on a piece of paper but sure enough 2015 has come and another week has flown by. Sister Johnson and I have truly been so busy and just continue to get busier. I don't know how we are able to do all the things we do but the Lord always provides the way for us each day to fulfill our purpose to the fullest.
After email last pday I got a call from Sister Hunter, who is serving in my first area, telling me that one of the women I taught there got baptized last week. It was super special and great to know that the efforts we put in everywhere we go never go wasted. Heavenly Father uses each of our effrot to fulffill his purpose and bring His children back to him. I know the Lord has a perfect plan for that woman, and I am so grateful to know that I was a part of it. The Lord's work will always go forth in His way and I am so grateful to have that testimony.
This past week we successfully hit 10 lessons again and what a joy it is when you reach your goals and help others come unto Christ. One lesson we had was with a member who wants us to teach her son English before he goes to America this summer. We talked about faith and we shared a quote from Elder Russel M. Nelson's talk "Let your Faith Show." At the end of the quote it says show your faith, and the member immediately said she wasn't good at that, but she invites people to meet with missionaries so people can have good impressions and facts about us and the Church because there is so much bad stuff that people believe. As she was talking a thought came to my mind that was in the book True to the Faith about how the best way we can share the message of the gospel is through our example. I don't usually bring that book with me but for some reason that day I did. I couldn't remember where the quote was so as I was searching I said a little prayer and there I opened to the topic of missionary work and found exactly what I was looking for. The minute I found it Sister Johnson said she was thinking that same thing. We had the member read it and she was just amazed because it was exactly what she needed. It was really neat to see because I saw her testimony strengthened because she realized how well it applied to her and I once again had a testimony building experience that the Lord does and always will bring things to our rememberance when they are needed to help others.
We had another lesson with a less active which was so great. We talked about the spirit and she recently has been able to recognize the spirit a lot in her life showing her and teaching her the things she should be doing through her kids' examples, missionary messages, and the prophets words. She told us of an experience she had just recently that since her kids are on break she sees them always praying before bed and after they wake up every morning. She is learning so much through their examples and then the elders went and visited her and taught her again on prayer. Then as we talked about the spirit she said she now recognizes what the Lord is wanting of her. Through the missionarie and her children's example the Lord is influencing her to again get on her knees and build that relationship with God again. It was a really powerful experince to watch her receive this revelation for herself. I know that often the Lord sends others into our lives to help up learn and grow. I have been influenced so much by others and I cannot thank Heavenly Father enough for the people He has brought into my life.
Friday we met with an investigator who is 15 and we haven't been able to meet for a while due to other things coming up but wow meeting with her was just the greatest. We had such a good lesson and Sister Johnson and I just walked away smiling away because of the spirit of unity we felt as we taught. We taught about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon which she really enjoyed. When we asked her if she understood and the significance of the restoration she just retaught us everything and was full of gratitude that she came to know of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. She is just the greatest to teach because she is so patient with us and our Korean but also listens intently to what we are saying and understands the importance of our message. She listens well, answers our questions better then any investigator I have ever taught, understands, and is praying for help all the time. Teaching her is just a tender mercy that the Lord has given us.
Sister Johnson and I have a new best friend who is our investigator named 김정수 and we go do fun things with her all the time. She was a referral from a member and this week we went to a Korean palace and last week we went to the Buddhist temple. We haven't been able to teach the lessons to her yet but we invited her to come to church and she said she wanted to come. We are spending P-day with her and her sister today so that will be lots of fun. She is truly so sweet and has so much potential so we have high hopes for her but right now we are just building a solid relationship of trust and letting the Lord work His miracles within her.
Sunday was one of the greatest Sundays I have had in Korea. So many great things happened and life as a missionary is just great. Two of the youth of our ward gave their farewell talks in sacrament meeting. They left for their missions today. I truly am amazed with the strength of the youth here in Korea. Their testimonies truly are unshakable. For the musical number both families of the missionaries sang "I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go" and how the power that was felt as they sang. The spirit was so strong that the entire congregation had tears running down their faces and yes I was one with tears. Listening to it took me back to when I was preparing to go on my mission and how hard it was to gain the courage to actually go. To leave everything behind and give your whole self to the Lord. But wow once you experience the miracle of giving yourself to the Lord you cannot experience greater joy. This decision I have made has been the best decision. I love being a missionary and am so grateful the Lord has guided me to this point in my life and led me here.
To conitnue the story from last week with the lady we met at the bus stop. We met with her Sunday night and the whole time Sister Johnson and I couldn't tell if she had been baptized or if she was just well educated on our church. She truly was the nicest lady ever and was telling us all these places that we shoud try to do missionary work. We finally got her to tell her story and 25 years ago she met missionaries and met with them often. She has them over with her family and come to find out SHE WAS BAPTIZED! After 2 years of going to church in the ward she was baptized in she moved away and got married. She never could find the church and said she never even saw missionaries until 23 years later when last week Sister Johnson and I stopped at the bus stop where she was. WHAT? I would have to say miracle, right? She now wants her son to learn about the gospel and is just the sweetest person on the planet. She told us she wants to be our mom and is going to care for us like her own children. It's just so amazing to see how the Lord works. I am grateful to witness it everyday. He truly does have perfect timing and sometimes I don't understand His timing but I have learned to trust it. I know we were meant to meet this woman for a reason and I know it will be a miraculous experience.
I just want you all to know how much I love each of you. Thank you so much for your prayers in my behalf. I truly am having the most wonderful experince as a missionary because of the prayers you offer in my behalf everyday. I am so grateful to be apart of this great work. Sister Johnson and I were talking this morning about how happy we are and all the blessings we have seen. We have truly been blessed with the ability and power to conquer Satan these past weeks and I know it is because of our surrendering to the will of the Lord and fulfilling our purpose everyday by finding and helping others to come unto Christ. I know that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He is inviting me and you to come unto Him and partake of His infinite goodness. I love my Savior and I am humbled everyday to wear His name on my chest and represent Him. I love this gospel. I know it is true. Have a wonderful week! Remember the miracles of Christ this week and pray for the eyes to see the tender mercies God gives you each day! LOVE YOU MISS YOU!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Letter - 1/4/15
Family and Friends,
새해 복 많이 받으십시요! Or in other words HAPPY NEW YEAR! And now I am 22 years old in Korean age?! What how did that happen? I don't know how that works because I left for my mission at 19. Oh well. Can you believe it is already 2015? I can't? What happened to 2014? I am so sad to see it go in all honesty but so honored to say that the year of 2014 for me was spent entirely in the service of my God. But it also means that coming home is getting closer and I don't want that to happen! I just love being a missionary so much I never want it to end! It's the time that in rodeo terms my sister Mallory would be saying to me "Push and Kick Gus all the way through the eye" so that is exactly what I will do, run hard through the eye. But I know that this is the time where I wear the black name tag so I can engrave Christ's name on my heart forever and represent Him not only now but for the rest of my life.
This past year has been the most shaping defining and strengthening year of my entire life. I don't even know where to start. The Lord truly has put me through some hard times, some great times and some beautiful miracles. I have loved every minute of it. This experience has made me who I am and helped me begin reaching my full potential that God sees in me. I am just full of so much gratitude toward my Heavenly Father and Savior. This past year They really beat me and refined me and it was hard but oh the miracle and blessing it is to be who I am today. I would not trade this experience for anything. It is the strongest and surest foundation for me to build upon especially because it is centered around my Savior Jesus Christ.
This week was just great as Sister Johnson and I found out on Sunday morning that we will be staying together for one more transfer! YAY!! All week we were pleading and praying to God that we would stay and that President Morrise would also hear our cries and they did so here is to another amazing transfer in the "Miracle Area".
We met with one of our newer investigators this week and she took us to a Buddhist temple called 영주사 which was really fun to spend that time with her. The traditional Korean Culture is just so beautiful. Sister Johnson and I have a really good feeling about her but we shall see. When we went to the temple we went inside one and she wanted show respect to the temple so we followed her in the manner of prayer but as we said our own silent prayer inside of the Buddhist temple I just prayed to Heavenly Father. Kind of funny to think about but it was a neat experience and I know He heard my prayer.
We met with our recent converts twice this week with their family and I don't know what to say other then this truly has been a complete miracle and the workings of the Lord. When they came into the hospital where we meet each one of them were just glowing with joy and there was so much unity among the family. Sister Johnson and I couldn't help but smile and listen to them talk with each other about the gift of the Holy Ghost because they would be getting confirmed. It was so special as everyone bore their testimonies of the Holy Ghost and 김영숙 and 이근배 were just glowing. I loved it. I felt so much love and the spirit was so strong. This whole experience is the beauty of the gospel and missionary work. I truly have left my family for a short amount of time so others can be with theirs forever. On Sunday the granddaughter bore her testimony and just testified of eternal families and was filled with gratitude that her family could now be more complete and eternal with her grandparents. When she said that the spirit hit me really strong and testifed to me that it was true. Her family will be eternal and they will receive all the promised blessings God has to offer us. This experience has been wondeful and I have never felt so much joy or love and I thank my Heavenly Father for filling my heart with those feelings.
So for a fun story and another miracle yesterday after church Sister Johnson and I had planned on visiting members but the members we wanted to visit we had just barely seen and talked a lot with them at church so we needed to change our plans and weren't sure what to do. We haven't had extra time like this for a long time because we have been so busy that we forgot that we could have time for strictly proselyting so thats what we decided to do. I asked Sister Johnson where she wanted to go and we chose a random area that either one of us don't know very well. After about 45 minutes to an hour of walking around and having no luck and feeling it was a waste of time we decided to head home because Sister Johnson was feeling really sick so we went back to the bus stop. We sat at the bus stop and a lady sat down next to us. I was going to talk to her but before I knew it she had read Sister Johnson's name tag and freaked out! I didn't know what was going on but she was so happy! She then later said that she met with missionaries 20 years ago and had attended our church. She immediately gave us her number, address, and set her own appointment with us this week. We were shocked. I am sure our faces were priceless because our jaws really just dropped to the floor. IT all just happened to perfectly as far as timing and I know that we were truly guided by the spirit to find that lady. We are actually still in shock about it but a really cool experience to testify of being in the right place and the right time. I know it was all Heavenly Father's timing and it was just perfect.
I am so grateful to be a missionary at this time and have my eyes opened to the Lord's hand in my life every single day. I love being a missionary and seeing the miracles and tender mercies of the Lord all around me. I know this gospel is true. I know Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us no matter who we are. I know that Christ lives and He is my Savior. I know this is the Lords' work and I am so grateful to be a part of it. Thank you for all of your love support and prayers. I love each of you. I pray for each of you. Have a very Happy New year! Love you and Miss you! Here is to 2015!!!!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
새해 복 많이 받으십시요! Or in other words HAPPY NEW YEAR! And now I am 22 years old in Korean age?! What how did that happen? I don't know how that works because I left for my mission at 19. Oh well. Can you believe it is already 2015? I can't? What happened to 2014? I am so sad to see it go in all honesty but so honored to say that the year of 2014 for me was spent entirely in the service of my God. But it also means that coming home is getting closer and I don't want that to happen! I just love being a missionary so much I never want it to end! It's the time that in rodeo terms my sister Mallory would be saying to me "Push and Kick Gus all the way through the eye" so that is exactly what I will do, run hard through the eye. But I know that this is the time where I wear the black name tag so I can engrave Christ's name on my heart forever and represent Him not only now but for the rest of my life.
This past year has been the most shaping defining and strengthening year of my entire life. I don't even know where to start. The Lord truly has put me through some hard times, some great times and some beautiful miracles. I have loved every minute of it. This experience has made me who I am and helped me begin reaching my full potential that God sees in me. I am just full of so much gratitude toward my Heavenly Father and Savior. This past year They really beat me and refined me and it was hard but oh the miracle and blessing it is to be who I am today. I would not trade this experience for anything. It is the strongest and surest foundation for me to build upon especially because it is centered around my Savior Jesus Christ.
This week was just great as Sister Johnson and I found out on Sunday morning that we will be staying together for one more transfer! YAY!! All week we were pleading and praying to God that we would stay and that President Morrise would also hear our cries and they did so here is to another amazing transfer in the "Miracle Area".
We met with one of our newer investigators this week and she took us to a Buddhist temple called 영주사 which was really fun to spend that time with her. The traditional Korean Culture is just so beautiful. Sister Johnson and I have a really good feeling about her but we shall see. When we went to the temple we went inside one and she wanted show respect to the temple so we followed her in the manner of prayer but as we said our own silent prayer inside of the Buddhist temple I just prayed to Heavenly Father. Kind of funny to think about but it was a neat experience and I know He heard my prayer.
We met with our recent converts twice this week with their family and I don't know what to say other then this truly has been a complete miracle and the workings of the Lord. When they came into the hospital where we meet each one of them were just glowing with joy and there was so much unity among the family. Sister Johnson and I couldn't help but smile and listen to them talk with each other about the gift of the Holy Ghost because they would be getting confirmed. It was so special as everyone bore their testimonies of the Holy Ghost and 김영숙 and 이근배 were just glowing. I loved it. I felt so much love and the spirit was so strong. This whole experience is the beauty of the gospel and missionary work. I truly have left my family for a short amount of time so others can be with theirs forever. On Sunday the granddaughter bore her testimony and just testified of eternal families and was filled with gratitude that her family could now be more complete and eternal with her grandparents. When she said that the spirit hit me really strong and testifed to me that it was true. Her family will be eternal and they will receive all the promised blessings God has to offer us. This experience has been wondeful and I have never felt so much joy or love and I thank my Heavenly Father for filling my heart with those feelings.
So for a fun story and another miracle yesterday after church Sister Johnson and I had planned on visiting members but the members we wanted to visit we had just barely seen and talked a lot with them at church so we needed to change our plans and weren't sure what to do. We haven't had extra time like this for a long time because we have been so busy that we forgot that we could have time for strictly proselyting so thats what we decided to do. I asked Sister Johnson where she wanted to go and we chose a random area that either one of us don't know very well. After about 45 minutes to an hour of walking around and having no luck and feeling it was a waste of time we decided to head home because Sister Johnson was feeling really sick so we went back to the bus stop. We sat at the bus stop and a lady sat down next to us. I was going to talk to her but before I knew it she had read Sister Johnson's name tag and freaked out! I didn't know what was going on but she was so happy! She then later said that she met with missionaries 20 years ago and had attended our church. She immediately gave us her number, address, and set her own appointment with us this week. We were shocked. I am sure our faces were priceless because our jaws really just dropped to the floor. IT all just happened to perfectly as far as timing and I know that we were truly guided by the spirit to find that lady. We are actually still in shock about it but a really cool experience to testify of being in the right place and the right time. I know it was all Heavenly Father's timing and it was just perfect.
I am so grateful to be a missionary at this time and have my eyes opened to the Lord's hand in my life every single day. I love being a missionary and seeing the miracles and tender mercies of the Lord all around me. I know this gospel is true. I know Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us no matter who we are. I know that Christ lives and He is my Savior. I know this is the Lords' work and I am so grateful to be a part of it. Thank you for all of your love support and prayers. I love each of you. I pray for each of you. Have a very Happy New year! Love you and Miss you! Here is to 2015!!!!
Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Letter - 12/29/14
Dear Family and Friends,
Wow what an exciting week it was full of Christmas seeing friends, family, and remembering our Savior Jesus Christ. This Christmas was truly the best Christmas I could have ever asked for in Korea and as a missionary. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who watched over me and my companion this Christmas and sent us the best Christmas present ever. Our sweet couple that we met three weeks ago had the opportunity to enter the waters of baptism yesterday December 28th. I cannot tell you the peace and comfort I felt all day yesterday just knowing this was the will of the Lord. It has been quite the adventure with them but Sister Johnson and I did all that we could so that this dear family can begin the steps of being together forever because after all, missionaries leave their families for a short amount of time so others can be with theirs forever.
I want to share a little bit about the process of this amazing miracle and refresh your memory on what an amazing miracle it truly is. So exactly 4 weeks ago we received a call from a member of the ward telling us he had a referral for us and they were his in-laws. We had already experienced so many miracles we couldn't believe that one but sure enough we received it and met with them that night. The following Wednesday we received a phone call from the son-in-law telling us they wanted to be baptized December 28th because their grandchildren were going to be home for Christmas break. Sister Johnson and I were in shock and frantically figured out what needed to be done to see this family's dream come true. We worked day and night seeking for the Lord's guidance and help. We met with them 2 to 3 times a week until December 28th. We studied harder than ever before. We prayed more earnestly, pleading for the guidance of the Lord. We fasted, we sacrificed and we showed the Lord we were willing to do what it takes. Although, the entire time it felt like we did a lot of work and carried a lot of unneeded stress I finally realized that I truly did nothing. The Lord did all the work. He made this happen. He made this possible.
We held the baptismal interview Saturday night with President Morrise and at that time I was really nervous. I wasn't sure if this was the right time or the Lord's will. I have to be honest I was really nervous about the baptism and was afraid that we were not making the right decision as we continued to push for the 28th but last Sunday I had a strong confirmation during sacrament meeting as I pondered my patriarchal blessing that the 28th was the day. I felt only peace and just knew it was right but yet I was still questioning the day of the interview if this was the right thing.
After President Morrise left from the interview Sister Johnson and I had one more personal companionship prayer which was so powerful. We then talked about how we were feeling and she just continued to feel peace. She had felt peace the entire time since we had fasted about 3 weeks ago but I still had such a strange feeling in my heart like a knot and I explained that to her. It was quite interesting because I would feel peace and then I would feel this knot and I just couldn't understand or explain my feelings. Sister Johnson had the idea that maybe it was Satan trying to confuse me so that these two beloved children of God couldn't be baptized and the minute she said that I was at complete peace. I cast Satan's thoughts out and was reminded of a scripture that Sister Ward shared with me when we were companions. The scripture was D&C 6:23 saying "Did I not speak peace to your soul concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" Heavenly Father had already spoke peace to my soul a week ago during that special sacrament meeting as I pondered my patriarchal blessing but yet I was still asking but now it was time to act. Sister Johnson and I felt that this was the time. It was either now or never! We had to act because the couple was willing to act! Another scripture then came to my mind D&C 9:11 "Behold it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared and the time is past and it is not expedient now." If we wouldn't have acted and followed the Lord's will the expedient time for this couple would be past.
I am so grateful to feel at complete peace now. I know this was the Lord's will. The baptism was beautiful and very special. They both were just glowing as they stood in white. This was a choice experience in which I learned a lot and I truly learned how to seek the Lord's will and courageously follow it. I know that the Lord had a special plan for each one of His children and as we follow it and seek it we can receive the fullness of the blessings He is offering us. I know this was a true miracle and I am humbled that I had the opportunity to witness it.
My Christmas in Korea is truly unforgettable. I cannot forget to mention what a joy it was to skype my sweet family! What a beautiful and loving family I have! It was so great to see their faces and hear their voices! I also was able to meet my sweet niece Ember over the computer screen. It was so special and brought so much joy but yet it felt as if skyping them was a weekly thing but we all know it is not. I just love being a missionary so much and am learning to enjoy the moment and accept that this doesn't last forever so I have to live it up to the end.
I am so grateful to be a missionary to be representing my Savior Jesus Christ in the country of Korea. I love this work. I know it is the Lord's work and everyone plays an important role. That was the theme of our Christmas Conference on Tuesday "Everyone Plays A Part." President Morrise talked about how our missionary is like a tapestry and we are all our own individual thread but as we are woven together we create God's masterpiece. He needs all of us in order to do so. We need every piece of the thread to complete the tapestry. We all have an important role to play in the Lord's work and that's why we were called to be a part of it. We all have an individual part and the Lord is taking each one of us and making a masterpiece. He is making us instruments in His hands. I am being made an instrument everday and I cannot be more grateful.
Thank you to each of you for all of your love support and prayers. Also thank you for your sweet testimony's you sent me. I cannot tell you the strength I received from each one of you. I love each of you. I miss each of you but time is flying so live it up! Remember you play a part and Heavenly Father needs you to accomplish His great and marvelous work! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love,
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
Wow what an exciting week it was full of Christmas seeing friends, family, and remembering our Savior Jesus Christ. This Christmas was truly the best Christmas I could have ever asked for in Korea and as a missionary. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who watched over me and my companion this Christmas and sent us the best Christmas present ever. Our sweet couple that we met three weeks ago had the opportunity to enter the waters of baptism yesterday December 28th. I cannot tell you the peace and comfort I felt all day yesterday just knowing this was the will of the Lord. It has been quite the adventure with them but Sister Johnson and I did all that we could so that this dear family can begin the steps of being together forever because after all, missionaries leave their families for a short amount of time so others can be with theirs forever.
I want to share a little bit about the process of this amazing miracle and refresh your memory on what an amazing miracle it truly is. So exactly 4 weeks ago we received a call from a member of the ward telling us he had a referral for us and they were his in-laws. We had already experienced so many miracles we couldn't believe that one but sure enough we received it and met with them that night. The following Wednesday we received a phone call from the son-in-law telling us they wanted to be baptized December 28th because their grandchildren were going to be home for Christmas break. Sister Johnson and I were in shock and frantically figured out what needed to be done to see this family's dream come true. We worked day and night seeking for the Lord's guidance and help. We met with them 2 to 3 times a week until December 28th. We studied harder than ever before. We prayed more earnestly, pleading for the guidance of the Lord. We fasted, we sacrificed and we showed the Lord we were willing to do what it takes. Although, the entire time it felt like we did a lot of work and carried a lot of unneeded stress I finally realized that I truly did nothing. The Lord did all the work. He made this happen. He made this possible.
We held the baptismal interview Saturday night with President Morrise and at that time I was really nervous. I wasn't sure if this was the right time or the Lord's will. I have to be honest I was really nervous about the baptism and was afraid that we were not making the right decision as we continued to push for the 28th but last Sunday I had a strong confirmation during sacrament meeting as I pondered my patriarchal blessing that the 28th was the day. I felt only peace and just knew it was right but yet I was still questioning the day of the interview if this was the right thing.
After President Morrise left from the interview Sister Johnson and I had one more personal companionship prayer which was so powerful. We then talked about how we were feeling and she just continued to feel peace. She had felt peace the entire time since we had fasted about 3 weeks ago but I still had such a strange feeling in my heart like a knot and I explained that to her. It was quite interesting because I would feel peace and then I would feel this knot and I just couldn't understand or explain my feelings. Sister Johnson had the idea that maybe it was Satan trying to confuse me so that these two beloved children of God couldn't be baptized and the minute she said that I was at complete peace. I cast Satan's thoughts out and was reminded of a scripture that Sister Ward shared with me when we were companions. The scripture was D&C 6:23 saying "Did I not speak peace to your soul concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" Heavenly Father had already spoke peace to my soul a week ago during that special sacrament meeting as I pondered my patriarchal blessing but yet I was still asking but now it was time to act. Sister Johnson and I felt that this was the time. It was either now or never! We had to act because the couple was willing to act! Another scripture then came to my mind D&C 9:11 "Behold it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared and the time is past and it is not expedient now." If we wouldn't have acted and followed the Lord's will the expedient time for this couple would be past.
I am so grateful to feel at complete peace now. I know this was the Lord's will. The baptism was beautiful and very special. They both were just glowing as they stood in white. This was a choice experience in which I learned a lot and I truly learned how to seek the Lord's will and courageously follow it. I know that the Lord had a special plan for each one of His children and as we follow it and seek it we can receive the fullness of the blessings He is offering us. I know this was a true miracle and I am humbled that I had the opportunity to witness it.
My Christmas in Korea is truly unforgettable. I cannot forget to mention what a joy it was to skype my sweet family! What a beautiful and loving family I have! It was so great to see their faces and hear their voices! I also was able to meet my sweet niece Ember over the computer screen. It was so special and brought so much joy but yet it felt as if skyping them was a weekly thing but we all know it is not. I just love being a missionary so much and am learning to enjoy the moment and accept that this doesn't last forever so I have to live it up to the end.
I am so grateful to be a missionary to be representing my Savior Jesus Christ in the country of Korea. I love this work. I know it is the Lord's work and everyone plays an important role. That was the theme of our Christmas Conference on Tuesday "Everyone Plays A Part." President Morrise talked about how our missionary is like a tapestry and we are all our own individual thread but as we are woven together we create God's masterpiece. He needs all of us in order to do so. We need every piece of the thread to complete the tapestry. We all have an important role to play in the Lord's work and that's why we were called to be a part of it. We all have an individual part and the Lord is taking each one of us and making a masterpiece. He is making us instruments in His hands. I am being made an instrument everday and I cannot be more grateful.
Thank you to each of you for all of your love support and prayers. Also thank you for your sweet testimony's you sent me. I cannot tell you the strength I received from each one of you. I love each of you. I miss each of you but time is flying so live it up! Remember you play a part and Heavenly Father needs you to accomplish His great and marvelous work! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love,
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll
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