Temples are so amazing! Not only are they beautiful on the inside and out, but there is also a kind of spiritual beauty. A few weeks ago I had the oppurtunity to go do Baptisms for the Dead with the YSA ward. Not many people came, but it was enough to make it pretty meaningful:) It is so wonderful to beable to renew those coventants made when I was 8, and being able to do that for someone who has passed on.
You are never alone, the Spirit is present. 

God's love is surrounding you.




Each time I go into the waters of baptism, my mind is filled with thoughts of the Savior's baptism by John the Baptist. What an example Christ was for us! Yet He was perfect He insisted on being baptized to not only show us, but God the Father, that He was willing to do God's will. 

I hoe and pray that one day I may be as willing as Jesus Christ to do God's will without hesitation. I know that this is all possible with God, 
 "27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." ( Mark 10)

All Things Scripture...

             






( Mission Prep Study Tips!)

Mission Packing Tips at Their Finest...

Here are some cooleo ways of packing all those cute missionary clothes:

                           

....blogs that have fantastic tips and tricks for packing for 18 months!

http://madisonamydunne.wordpress.com/packing-list/

  

http://sisterkarliedonohue.blogspot.com/2013/10/sister-missionary-packing-list.html

Mission Training Centers

   For those of you who don't know what an MTC is or even what goes on in them, heres the basics:

Helpful Stuff Right Here...

    If you're like me and want to know what your're getting yourself into, check out these cute blogs!

http://tipsforsistermissionaries.blogspot.com/2013/01/things-i-wish-i-wouldve-known-part-2.html?m=1


http://hermanasilva.blogspot.com/2013/02/tips-to-know-before-entering-mtc.html


http://lets-get-together.com/2014/04/23/10-things-every-missionary-should-know-a-letter-from-a-mission-president/


http://greeceathensmission.blogspot.com/2010/07/preach-my-gospel-missionary.html


http://preparetoserve.com/sister-missionary-interviews/


http://sistermohler.blogspot.com/


http://sistercarlylynncase.blogspot.com/2014/01/mission-be-betters.html?spref=fb


http://gospelgirlrm.blogspot.com/2013/07/10-things-you-wish-you-would-have.html?m=1


http://http//www.frankfurtgrace.blogspot.com

Your Time is Now!

         First off, let me just say how beyond excited I am to serve a full-time mission! By now people might think that the excitement part has warn off and the nervous stage has hit. Well, that is not the case! No matter how hard and much I think about the MTC or the fact that I have to go out of the country for the first time, I have yet to find myself nervous. The secret is.... just the mere thought of being worthy and able to serve has washed away all doubt and insecurities. 
       I GET TO SERVE A MISSION.
I can't get enough of it. My smile has yet to fade, and my heart never ceases to flutter at the simple phrase,    " I'm going on a mission ." I hope and pray that you may come to feel as I do when you tell others of your fabulous decision :)

Holiness To The Lord, House Of The Lord..

   On July 1st, 2014 I entered the LDS Mt. Timpanogas Temple. There I received my Temple Endowments and grew a more deeper knowledge of God's holy house and all that it contains. 
   Though I cannot say much of what happened inside, I can tell you that my eyes have been opened to something glorious. The Temple is a house of God, a place of love and worship.I know that Latter Day Prophets have witnessed great miracles within the Temple walls and that if we are spiritually in tune, we too can see miracles.
   I have gained a better understanding of the Great Plan of Salvation/ Happiness. 
   I can testify that Adam and Eve were the first two beings to come to earth, and that they conversed with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father while in the Garden of Eden. I know that it is only because of Adam's transgressions that we have the knowledge of good and evil. 
                     < 2 NEPHI 2:25 >

" Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
   
   I am so grateful for the many temples here on earth, and that we are blessed with access to them through Temple recommends. I know that my Redeemer lives and that He will return again to His people. 

You Have Been Called...

Dear Sister Haycock:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Arizona Gilbert Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Mexico Mission Training Center on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

      Words cannot say how grateful and honored I am to serve as a missionary for this wonderful and true church. I always had a feeling I would stay state side Spanish speaking... I just didn't want to say anything:)God truly knows what is best for each of us and I can't wait to share this with those I will teach! I must tell you that I wasn't always this excited about a mission, especially when I heard about the age change...
   It all started the Summer of 2013. I had told myself that if youth conference that year went well for me then that would be my confirmation that I should serve. Youth Conference was amazing in every way! I even went to a Spanish speaking area and was able to speak what little Spanish I did know with investigators. After, I said that it wasn't enough to make me decide for sure so I said my first semester at Brigham Young University Idaho will do the trick. That first semester was not at all what I expected it to be.. I was challenged a lot and had to make some tough decisions. But I testify that with those challenges my testimony of the Great Atonement and of my Redeemer Jesus Christ, grew tremendously! I tell you now that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is not just for our sins, but for our transgressions and our sorrows! The Atonement of my Savior is what got me through. I can testify that God knows us more than we or anyone else knows ourselves, He loves us and cares for our well-being! He is what got me to the point in my life today:) 
    So with first semester happening like it did, I was slowly being softened. I grew to see things and people as Jesus Christ would if He were there. These feelings were up and down, and I would still receive doubts about a mission. So when winter break came along I decided to just let the chips fall where they may.
    My youngest sister, Grace, was baptized and confirmed a member for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the beginning of January. I was asked to talk a little about the Gift of the Holy Ghost at her baptism, and I can testify that the Spirit was there. Though my talk didn't go as planned, I later went up to bear my testimony... and that was when I officially decided to seriously consider a mission.
    From there I was blessed more than I had ever been in my entire life. I was blessed with loving roommates(whom I still keep in contact with today),worthy Priesthood- holding FHE brothers, and a ward that brought peace to my soul continually. Never have I ever been more grateful for a trial than the one that I faced my first semester. I testify that God answers your prayers! No matter how small they may seem God will answer! It may not be when we want them, but it is when we need them most. Through the course of my second semester, I grew to desire to serve more and more, and with the help of my wonderful Book of Mormon teacher and classmates, I started my paperwork. 
    I have never felt a stronger desire to do anything then of when I decided to serve a mission. Missions are not for everyone and that is OK. But I can say that a mission will be the one of the very best things that will happen to you! I hope and pray that those of you who are considering will be like Nephi, "go and do". Don't hesitate, if you feel good about it, do it. You got this, God wouldn't give you anything you couldn't handle:)