6-17-13 I Love Every Step of the Process of Receiving Revelation!

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLEY LIZA EMMA and my beloved brothers and sisters

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!! I didn't know it was Fathers Day until about 3 days before! I was so devastated I didn't send you anything. I love you so dearly Dad. I thank Heavenly Father for sending me to you. My heart burst as we sang 'I am a child of God' at the close of sacrament meeting, for truly the words are profound in meaning and in truth. "I AM a child of God, and He has sent me here. Has given me an earthly home - with parents kind and dear" Oh how I thank Him for sending me to you! I've taken the liberty of changing one word of the chorus with each verse: "Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must KNOW, all that I must DO, and all that I must BECOME, to live with Him some day." I love this life. We were with Him not long ago. And oh how I love this beautiful adventure of faith and trial that is preparing us and refining us to live with Him again! 

How miraculous!! I suppose there is not better way to spend Father's Day than by showing our Heavenly Father your love for Him by coming to church! His great and all encompassing love empowered TONY, JAMAL, ISAIAH, ANDERSON and NIRAJ to come and worship him on this beautiful sabbath day! How miraculous! Oh how I praise Him and His dearly Beloved Son! I cannot cease to thank Him and marvel at His infinite love and glory. Its so humbling and so exciting to involve the ward in His work. Oh how I love to glorify Him, telling and preparing and involving the ward for the FOUR upcoming baptisms: one baptism every weekend for the next four weeks. How marvelous!!

Oh how I rejoice in the sacred and sanctifying gift of the Holy Ghost! I LOVE receiving revelation from our Father in Heaven. I love every step of the process: looking and observing, pondering and thinking, asking and praying, seeking and searching, listening and receiving, doing and living, applying and changing, sharing and inspiring, transforming and becoming. Again and again, this beautiful upward spiral draws us nearer and nearer to our Heavenly king and Precious Redeemer. Among many other things, I've been communing with our dearest Father about how to help the members encompass Jamal, Isaiah,Anderson, and our many other precious brothers and sisters into the ward, to help the members really love and support them as friends. Throughout the church meetings, He reminded me to see the members not as they are, but as they can become. He reminded me to praise them for every step they take as a father praises his toddler learning to walk. We are all becoming more consecrated together and oh what a beautiful journey it is! While out working, the Spirit whispereth me and I felt in my mind the need to look up "friend" in the index. From there Heavenly Father led me to Alma 15:16 and 18. Amulek is a recent convert and in behalf of the Lord, he left behind all that he knew, even being rejected of his friends and family. Alma sees all of this, so he brings him into "his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord." How perfect this was for our dear friend Charles who is already doing so much for both Jamal and Denis. I love Charles and I am so grateful for all the good our Savior does through him. I'm so grateful to serve beside him and together reach even higher toward our divine potential. What a privilege. It was so exciting to help and see Ronny and Nghia guide and love Isaiah, Rafael and Feta envelope Anderson, Ben and Charles support and strengthen Jamal. I love this work! It is His.

I stand all amazed. Even while we had to speak in two all day zone conferences and had two full day training exchanges - the work has continued to roll on! While many struggle to have more than a handful of lessons a week, we had ELEVEN glorious and powerful member friend present lessons, FIVE beloved sons of God and sacrament meeting. I rejoice in the enabling power of the Atonement. As I have consecrated my every care, my every desire to Him, As I have offered Him all my heart, my might, my mind and my strength - He has empowered me. My heart continually ponders the word of God, my soul hungers and fests upon Hi word every waking moment. I pray continually, never ceasing, to my Magnificent and Glorious Father in Heaven. I talk with Him in fervent prayer, praising Him, thanking Him, inquiring to know His will. Oh how I love Him.

What a privilege it has been to serve as a sister trainer leader. The entire process of receiving revelation line upon line in preparation for zone conferences and training exchanges, along with our investigators, members, and my lovely companions, is remarkable! I love it! Commune with Him. Consecrate your whole soul to Him. Talk together with Him - with profound intensity and intimacy. Not only does He listen, but He speaks.

I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lives. I am forever grateful for this privilege to bear His name. I love Him. I will praise Him and glorify Him forever. 

Sister Lee and Sister Mckee. An honorary ice cream cone to begin our training exchange

Anderson and his buddies. Miracle story! So.. he actually got baptized into another church last Sunday. It was super random haha. But God is so good and can "turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, and a victim into a victory." He received an unimpeachable and convincing witness through the power of the Holy Ghost while bearing testimony of the truth he did know. And in fervent and sincere prayer, He received the answer that this is truly Christ's church restored in its fullness. Glory to God!

Sister Richards and Sister Jarman :)

The Assistants! Elder Rasmussen, Elder Yates, and Elder Litchfield.

Nghia and Isaiah! Nghia's first lesson acting as the member friend rather than the investigator. haha I love them!

I love you all! 

Sister Julia Jeppsen

6-10-13 Touching Story about Hardships! Saw My Aunt and Cousin!

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZALOO EMMDONG and my beloved friends

Let me tell you about Isaiah, not the prophet, but our new friend! His sister, Jubilee, was baptized about 2 years ago. Her mom, Fabianna, joined her a year later and they have stayed strong in their faith, attending the Burke family ward. Isaiah is the oldest brother and his family has been very worried about him for the past few years. They have expressed concern because he has carried a dark spirit about him, seeming distant and disconnected from the family and especially from Heavenly Father. Never before has he shown an interest in God or in the church - UNTIL Friday. While on a training exchange with the Burke sisters, Sister Crockett and Sister Jarman went to check on Fabianna. Isaiah was home and when asked - he accepted the invitation to learn! How inspired were the Burke sisters to plan Fabianna the night prior. They taught him about prayer and he committed to do so. To our surprise, he bought dress clothes Saturday and went to church with his family - the first time since childhood! What a miracle. Because of Jesus Christ and the Atonement, we can change! Oh how my heart rejoices! Forever will I thank, forever will I praise His Holy name. We had a powerful lesson where he told us of his desire to be better and to know God. He wants to change. He already is! He looks so happy. He looks so hungry for more. And how great are the promises to those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they SHALL be filled"

I love repentance. I love revelation. I love this beautiful process of becoming like God. My tongue cannot tell all I that I know. All that I have seen, felt, and heard, and all that I have learned, done, and become I have to thank my Father in Heaven and His dearly Beloved Son.

It has been an honor to serve these sisters, to have the opportunity to grow, to love, to serve, to motive, to lift, and to inspire. I can feel Him working through me. His words are my words. Through fervent prayer, continual repentance, faithful obedience, and cheerful diligence, I have been empowered by His grace. I have become His hands. And oh how much more I have to grow! I love this beautiful life. We are preparing to return home to Him. We are becoming like Him! And how blessed and privileged are we to join with our brothers in sisters in reaching for Heaven.

I want to share with you a story about missionary work that I had the privilege of reading to the zone this past week. The Spirit of the Lord was so powerful. As I read, I wept. I love my dear Savior. 

The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet , I grab my companion’s bedding and pull off his sheets, a groan fills the room, is it already time to arise? It seems like just a second ago, I was able to shut my eyes, the morning activities follow-study, prayer and such. When its time to leave the apartment, you feel that you haven’t accomplished much. We have a super day planned, my companion says with a grin. I lowly utter a faithless breath, "yeah, if anyone lets us in." With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to face another day of humidity and heat. It’s 9:30 in the evening, the day almost through, my companion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do. We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot, only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air box" We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete , the only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet. Its past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep, silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep. In the midst of sadness , I kneel down to pray, I need to talk to Father, but I'm not sure what to say. "Oh Father" I begin, "what happened to us today? I thought we’d teach somebody, but everyone was away. My hands, my aching hands- worn hurt and beat; If our area was any smaller, we’d have knocked every street". "Why on missions are the days so much alike? The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike. Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it’s very hard to see". Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn’t your protection enough? People always laugh at me, and call me stupid and stuff. Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack , I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back" And what about my family: they didn't have much to say, I'm sick of not hearing from them day after day after day. Oh Father, why am I here? am I just wasting time? Sometimes I just want to go home, I’m sorry but that’s on my mind". "My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?" The way he rides his bicycle, I dint think he can see. Now you have it, I can’t go on, I don’t know what to do that, my Father in Heaven , is the prayer I have for you" My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump into bed. I need my rest for tomorrow, we have an-other long day ahead. Sleep starts to overtake me, I seem to drift away, then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day. I’m standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice. A man walks towards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ" Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to his feet " Arise , "he states" "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak" My attentions towards my savior, total and complete He says, "your mission is similar of what happened to me. I understand how you feel, I know what your going through. In fact, it would be fair to say I’ve felt the same as you" " I even know how you felt when no one listened to you. At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do. I know you don’t like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet , just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21 speeds" " I understand you don’t like sweating, in fact its something you hate. I remember when I sweat blood from every pore, oh the agony was great! I see you don’t like your companion- you’d rather have someone else- I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"." Its hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you. I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me king of the Jews. So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack. I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back" "your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day, I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached a similar way. Its hard not to hear from home when your family’s not there to see. I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast thou forsaken me?" We have a lot in common, but there’s a difference between us you see. I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me" He embraced me with his arms and his light filled me with his love , With tears in my eyes I watched as he went back to the father above. I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed. My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!" I sat up and said," come on, I will even carry your scriptures today!"

I hope you're having fun cruisin around! Hoorah! Pray for and be anxiously engaged in sharing the gospel with your fellow cruise friends! It'll be the best cruise of their lives - physically AND spiritually!

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN 

Virginia is SOOO GREEN! its absolutely beautiful. mosiah 18:30

 Aunt Kathy and Jessica showed up at church this week! It was so awesome

This is Rachel :) The girl who called you. I cannot describe just how much I love her.

 Isaiah and Jubilee!

6-3-13 Assigned to Singles Ward in Same Mission! Teaching Amazing, such Prepared People!

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMA and my beloved friends

Hello! IS LIZA GRADUATED?!?! My baby's all grown up and savin China! I'm so.. HAPPY! I think you are on the cruise now.. I have no idea. God speed!

TRANSFERS: Sister Bell stayed in Warrenton and she's training. I love her so much - because she relies on Christ, she will do an excellent job! I'll hopefully be returning for some baptisms soon :) And I'm now serving in the Braddock YSA (Young Single Adult ages 18-30) ward with Sister Crockett! She is absolutely incredible. She's been serving for 3 months longer than me. She's from Valencia, California and she is so humble, so kind, so loving, so powerful, so obedient. She's a remarkable teacher and she truly loves those that she serves. AND to top it all off - she thinks I'm funny!! :D haha. Heavenly Father is so good. We're serving as Sister Training Leaders - so basically we are over 5 different companionships of sisters and we go on exchanges twice a week to train them and motivate them. Its going to be an adventure. We're already seeing miracles! This work is wrought of our God. The Braddock YSA ward is gigantic! It covers 3 stakes - so approximately 20 cities! Its crazy. The whole world is our playground.

Nghia Tong. I love him so much. I only taught him one time before he was baptized, but I feel like we're best friends haha. He's so great! He's Vietnamese, 19 years old, and plays in 3 different bands. And through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, he has changed his life dramatically. He has been transformed! He loves God and he humbly follows Him. He's come to know Him better and to love Him more through reading the Book of Mormon and living His commandments. Though his family does not support him and they do not understand, he is doing what his parents have strived diligently to teach him: he is following Jesus Christ. This is His church, this is His gospel. He has been cleansed through His power, through His authority. Nghia has entered into a covenant with God that He is willing to always remember Him, to keep Him commandments and to be His witness and His hands. In return our Father in Heaven has promised a remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. God promises us "wonderful gifts, unspeakable gifts, nearly incomprehensible gifts" through the ordinances of the priesthood (Elder Holland). Why would we not be baptized? Why would we not keep His commandments? Christ is the way to never ending happiness and eternal life. Let us continually follow Him.

Now I must tell you about Tony P.. I am absolutely amazed at the Lord's hand in His life. He is so very prepared. It's so strange how similar he and Troy J. are. Both bald, really humble, polite and gentlemanly, both really prepared and both ready to be baptized. I've never set a baptismal date with someone BEFORE teaching our first lesson with him haha. He's read the entire Book of Mormon, he has prayed and received multiple personal, and powerful witnesses through the Holy Ghost that it is true, he's come to church for the last 3 months and is now reading the Doctrine and Covenants. I am amazed!! And how privileged I am to know him and to be one of God's instruments in teaching him. So he had met with another set of missionaries a few months ago, and for some reason - he did not like meeting with them. He refused to be taught by them or any other set of sister missionaries. He insisted that he read the entire Book of Mormon before meeting with any kind of missionary. But because of the light of Christ that shines in Sister Crocket, combined with the Spirit and any other means by which the Lord worked, his heart was changed and the very day we were called to be companions, he texted - asking to meet with us as soon as possible.

I am nothing. All the good that is done, all the miracles that we see, all the people who are blessed and comforted, who are healed and transformed, it is done through the grace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is Heavenly Fathers work. This is His glory. I thank Him in ALL things. I praise Him in ALL things. Through His only Begotten Son, our Savior and Lord, I am made strong. I love Them.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

 Nghia and my new companion Sister Crockett! I love them.

Sister Bell is training in Warrenton! Woohoo

Nghia and Elder Williams. He's baptized!! Woohoo!

Anderson, Rafael, and Pheta

Tony and Carmen. I stand all amazed! What a privilege