7-29-13 Missionary Life Is Fabulous!!!

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMDONG and my beloved friends.

The grace of Jesus Christ surely is the enabling power that strengthens and empowers us to do far more than we could possibly imagine if left to our own means. We are in awe of all the miracles we witness and are so blessed to be apart of each day. I love Him, my Shepherd and my Light, my Life and my Salvation. Ryan, Denis, Jeff, Malina, the Matthews family, Marcella, George, Jimmy, Ana, Mike, Sean, and all the Sisters of which I am so privileged to know. (We go out on exchanges twice a week to train the sisters). I love each of these, my brothers and sisters so dearly. To each person, we give all that we have and are to help them. We ask, listen, discern, teach, testify, liken, invite, promise, follow up, plan, pray, study, receive, motivate, encourage, train, correct, direct, envision, and love. Every phase of this glorious work is done by and through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. We are called of God. Our authority is above that of the Kings of the earth! By revelation, we have been selected as personal representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Master, and He has chosen us to represent Him. To stand in His place to say and do what He, himself, would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. (Elder McConkie). Its absolutely miraculous to have a whole new pool of progressing investigators and friends after having baptized so many. We are in awe of our Heavenly Father. He who rules and governs worlds without end - cares for and loves each of His children personally and individually. I thank Him. I praise Him. In humble adoration, I worship and glorify Him. Our mortal perspective is so limited in comprehending all that He does for each one of us. He is so intricately involved. Oh how I rejoice for His mercy in expanding my vision that I might see even the smallest portion of His hand more clearly.

Let me share a story. Kim is a member of the church. She's 21 years old and was, at the time attending the family ward in which she was raised. Before I got to this ward, the Lord directed Sister Crockett and Sister Hansen to her home to visit with her. Kim is very shy and quiet. As many of us do, she has struggled with confidence and self-esteem issues her whole life. She lacked the courage and self confidence to attend the young single adult ward and instead would sit out in the foyer, from time to time, to listen to the talks as opposed to joining the congregation to learn and to worship. But with the sisters persistence, love, and continual invitations, she came. Her confidence has been growing little by little as she has trusted the Lord. In a matter of weeks, she received a calling as the ward chorister. The first Sunday I was here, I prayerfully looked out to the ward members, asking Father who in the congregation we needed to visit and work with. As I saw Kim conducting the sacrament hymns, my heart burned within me and I felt the Lord tell me that we needed to continue working with her. Not only would we visit her, but she started to come out with us, teaching and helping one of our sweet foreign friends (Niraj, from Nepal) come to know for himself that God lives. It has been incredible to see her become more confident, little by little - even initiating conversations with other girls in Relief Society. And now the Lord, in His perfect wisdom and timing, has led Sister Crockett and I to Marcella - a cute girl who struggles with self confidence and knowing if God really cares about her. Oh how marvelous it was to have Kim share her personal experience and testimony of coming to know for herself that Heavenly Father really is listening and that she really is of divine worth. He is so intricately involved in her life! I bow in humble adoration. In addition, by His loving mercy and knowledge, she has at long last found a job - of which she goes door to door selling some sort of product. He is so perfectly preparing her and helping her reach for her divine potential! Kim IS confident. Kim IS full of faith. She is fearless. And oh how we rejoiced as we recognized together His gentle but empowering hand in preparing her for a MISSION!!!! Kim is going to serve a mission!! Oh how I praise and glorify our God! The mission is going to transform her even more! Words cannot describe the sweet joy we felt as we rejoiced together during our drive home from Marcella's house. I love Kim so very much and I boldly and confidently testify of the eternally profound effect missions can have. My mission has changed me forever.

I cannot keep from pouring my heart out in great thanksgiving to our God. Oh how great is His wisdom, His power, His mercy and sweet love. He has a perfect comprehension of ALL things, and I will glorify His name forever. Through the grace of the Jesus Christ, we can become perfect. I love Him and willingly submit all that I am to Him, for that is the only intelligent thing to do. I want to become like Him, so into His hands I commend my Spirit.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

 Some of the sisters

Azur, Rachel, and George. Azur is so consecrated and the moment we asked who we could share the glorious message of our Savior with, she immediately said George! And with sure confidence and faith in Jesus Christ, she called him up right then and there and set up a dinner to meet us.

 Danielle and Ryan :)

Jeff is such a good guy. I love him

7-22-13 Good Communication = Honest Transparency

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMADONG and my beloved friends

Each time I sit at the computer to write home, I'm never sure how to begin. But I do. I cannot write even the smallest part of the miracles and tender mercies bestowed at His hand. And to add to this glorious problem, I am still inching along in my talent of writing. I am not (yet) mighty in writing. (Though it is a goal of mine.) Oh how wonderful is this life, this journey in becoming like Christ!

Mom, you would absolutely adore Sister Crockett. She has been blessed with the gift of communicating, the ability to express her feelings, It's absolutely wonderful! You would love her. I'm sure you already do. It really is an incredible gift.  She is able to humbly open herself in honest transparency. I have learned so much and have so very much more to learn from her. As I've watched her, I've followed her example. Not only have I observed her, but I've observed the Lord. I've looked to our Savior in the scriptures and have seen this gift woven into his own character.

ANDERSON IS BAPTIZED!!   We love him sooo very much. And he already is such an incredible missionary. After having tasted of God's love, he is so selflessly giving all that he has received to others. And Isaiah too! He brought a friend to church with him this week who we are going to start teaching tonight.  Nghia has been joining us in lessons and we are teaching this awesome guy named Mike Glenn. I cannot thank the Lord enough for how blessed we are. I love Anderson, Isaiah, Tony, Nghia. They are going to be mighty instruments in the Lord's hands in bringing thousands unto our Savior. It's already happening.

I am so happy. So blessed. I love and pray for you often. You are always with me. Its invigorating and empowering to know that you are with me. The sealing power is far more powerful than we comprehend. But I can feel it. I know that our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ live. We as a family are sealed to Him.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

Anderson is Baptized!!!

7-15-13 Crazy Yearbook phrase, "Never Change" That's Silly, Change is Great!! We Love Isaiah! (So Does Nephi) Bahaha!

DAD MOM RY RACHELLE LIZA EMMDONG and my lovely friends

Woohoo!! Oh how great is our God! If we keep His commandments, the Lord WILL prosper us and bless us. I'm so happy for you Rachelle :) And Brother Givens too! "For I will fulfil my promises which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them WHILE they are in the flesh" (2 Nephi 10:17).

I remember when I was a young lass in Junior High. At the end of each school year, we'd anxiously receive our yearbooks with great excitement. I remember carrying that yearbook in hand and, seeing the example of everyone else, I would eagerly bid others to write in it that I too would have a record of my friends and acquaintances. More often than not, I remember my fellow peers writing the words: "Never change!" above their signed names and numbers. I'm pretty sure I thoughtlessly did the same on many a persons yearbooks as well. As I've thought about these words, I've realized how silly such a phrase is, and how it denies the entire purpose of our existence.  

The central purpose of this life is to CHANGE. To put off the natural man and become a saint through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His grace IS sufficient. Not only has he saved us, but He can CHANGE us. President Riggs has taught us that the way we can access such grace is through faith, humility, and diligence. All things are possible to him that believes.

One stalwart example of one who has accessed the Atonement of our Redeemer is our good friend Isaiah. We LOVE Isaiah!! (So does Nephi).. bahaha. Anyways - Isaiah's heart has changed. His eyes have been opened, his mind has been enlightened, his understanding expanded, and his heart has been transformed. He knows his Heavenly Father and he loves his Savior. It was so sweet to be a witness to such a tender and precious moment for his family. Both his mom and sister recently were baptized and it was so tender to see them rejoice for their son and brother. We were filled with the sweetest joy that comes only from the Lord when his sister stood before us and bore her testimony and love of the Savior. The Spirit entered our hearts with great power as she looked up with tear filled eyes, expressing how great an impact His gospel and His atoning sacrifice has had on her family. Fabianna, his mother, admitted her amazement of Isaiah's transformation. His countenance is brighter, his perspective greater, his love deeper, and his priorities far grander as he now puts the Lord first in doing the simple daily things to draw near to Christ: scripture study, prayer, repentance, and partaking of the sacrament weekly. It was so precious to be there. And if I rejoice, I can only imagine how great is the rejoicing of the One who sacrificed himself for Isaiah. How wondrous. What a sacred privilege.

Over 300 years after Christ was born, there was a prophet in the ancient Americas named Ammaron. While being about the Lord's work, serving among His people, I imagine him watching the youthful acts of a particular young boy named Mormon, who was 10 years old at the time. As he paid attention to this boy, the Spirit of the Lord came upon his mind and he was able to see the boy's gifts. I imagine him calling the boy to him and kneeling by his side, or perhaps it was done in the manner of a priesthood blessing, we don't know. Ammaron told Mormon what he saw within him. He said: "I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe." Mormon, in just a few short years, became the youngest and most trusted leader of the nation's army and was a mighty man in faith and deed. He became a great leader and prophet for the world. Oh how we ought to learn from Mormon and be "quick to observe." We are among many consecrated and Christlike persons who have become highly effective servants in the Lord's hands. They have, and are continuing to become like Christ. Its been marvelous to look to and learn from the prophets of old through reading the holy scriptures, the living prophet and apostles of the Lord today through general conference, my dear mission president, President Riggs, my lovely companion Sister Crockett, my fellow servants, Bishop, ward members, and so many others, I've tried to incorporate into my life what they have allowed the Savior to make of them. I love it. I love this life! I love you so much. You are my most precious family. And we are His.

Love Sister Jeppsen

Isaiah's family :) 

I love this ward 

7-8-13 Pat passed away. Miracles allowed me to sing and comfort him

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMA and my fellow servants and friends

How gracious and so merciful is Heavenly Father for sending me to you. You are precious and most dear to me and I will forever cherish each of you, my beloved family. I love you. Thank you for your continual and constant love and support.

I remember when I first got out on my mission. With Sister Rozsa as my companion and trainer, a true legend in the DC South Mission - to whom I will forever thank and look to, we rode our bikes all around Shirlington, wasting and wearing out our lives in every essence of the word. I had the privilege to return to my home land this week, on July 2nd to be exact, to go on an exchange with Sister Mckee. And surely it was by the grace of He who is the Redeemer and Savior of the world that I was there at that specific time. The Lord spake unto me, prompting us to go see Pat Mclein, an incredible man that I had the blessing of loving and serving while with Sister Rozsa. We went to see him and just as we arrived, Pat's roommate was on his way out. He informed us that Pat had just been transferred from the ICU into a room in the Arlington Hospital the day prior and that he was in very poor health. My heart broke.. I love Pat. 

But oh, how merciful is our God. As I look back and ponder on the mercy and hand of the Lord, my eyes are quickened by the Spirit and I behold His love in every detail of my life. To be on an exchange in Shirlington the very day that I was surely was preceded by countless miracles that could have only been done by our loving and all knowing Father in Heaven. To be a Sister Trainer Leader, to have had stewardship over the Shirlington area, to have been on an exchange that specific day, to have had the idea to visit Pat, to have crossed paths with his roommates who were leaving the very moment we came, to have found a ride so effortlessly the next morning to the hospital, and to have had those short precious moments with my friend are but a few of His careful and tender mercies.   

For a while, I tried to wake him, but he continued to sleep, unresponsive. The doctors and nurses could not tell us what was wrong due to patient protection rights. But finally, I listened, and the voice of the Lord entered into my heart and I sought no more to wake him, but to comfort him. I knelt by his side, holding his hand in mine and started to sing. Tho my voice was soft and shaky as I fought to hold back the tears, I sang "I Am a Child of God" to my dear friend and brother. I love Pat and I thank my God, my great and gentle God, for preparing the way for me to say goodbye to my friend and brother.

My dear friend and recent convert, Pat Mclein, passed away on Saturday, July 6th. He fell and suffered severe damage to his skull, causing uncontrollable bleeding in his brain. Because of his preexisting medical conditions there was very little that the doctors could do. But thanks to the Lord, we were able to inform the ward of his injury, and he was not alone as he passed on to the next life.

What everlasting peace comes in knowing the plan of our God. He sent His Only Begotten Son to redeem us, to empower us, and to exalt us. I love Pat, and oh what joy comes in knowing where he is! He will be an instrument in helping his dear family embrace the fullness of Christ's gospel. His understanding of and conversion to the gospel will deepen and expand tremendously as he continues to progress and learn in the Spirit World! I love him. And oh how I love my Father and my Friend.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

Nothing short of a miracle, I was able to visit and comfort Pat in the hospital.

Pat Mclein, recent convert and dear friend passed away July 6th

7-1-13 As we LIVE the gospel, we SHARE it! Are We truly living the Gospel?

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMA and my beloved friends

With permission from President Riggs, Sister Crockett and I enjoyed a wonderful luncheon with the Eargles on Saturday! I love them!! Katie came all the way down from New York for it. It was great :)

One lovely evening, we finished our night at The Manor: the home of several GMU students who are a part of a huge Christian club called CREW. These guys are remarkable Christians. They are so smart, so humble, so open, so Christlike. They are inquisitive and thoughtful, sincere and full of faith. We sat down to teach Caleb, Irwin, and Michael, but as time progressed, our audience expanded quickly. Whenever they heard or saw someone nearby, they immediately beckoned them to join us, lovingly inviting them to learn with them about our Savior, to enjoy and take part in what they were enjoying. It was incredible! As more people would join, we would have to review most of what we had covered - but surely not alone. Caleb and others would help review and teach the very things that we had talked with them about! They'd say: "Oh, let me fill you in on what we've talked about. Heavenly Father has sent us prophets from the beginning of time to help teach us how we can return home to Him with our families..." It was marvelous to be a part. They were never condescending in their summaries, neither in their questions. Eventually, we had before us 11 people to whom we taught the glorious Restoration of the Gospel of our Lord and Redeemer. All because they did as the Savior did. They invited without any hesitation or reservation, without fear or selfish concern. They acted out of love for Jesus Christ and love for their brothers and sisters.

Oh how we must do the same!! As we LIVE the gospel, we SHARE it! So therein lies the question: Are we truly living the gospel? Elder Holland, with great fervor and zeal, promised us, as an eye-witness and authoritative representative of God's Only Begotten Son: "If an invitation is born out of love for the Savior and for our friends, it will NEVER be seen as judgemental or offensive." Why are we not inviting all that we know to learn of these glorious truths which we treasure and hold dear? Let us take courage and let go of any fear that may bind us down. From what I've heard, I am amazed by Mom's dedication to do just that - going door to door to love and befriend and invite each of our neighbors to come and take part in His church! You are wonderful Mom. I will look up to yours and Dad's examples forever.

I loved this video clip from the Hastening Broadcast..... You will love it!!!

http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast?lang=eng#media=16902107223790014226-eng

I know that our Savior lives. He and our Beloved and Glorious Father in Heaven love us and are anxiously engaged in this work. They want each of us to know Them personally, individually, and intimately. So we must have the courage and the love to invite. Let us "act by inspiration, motivated by love." Love you. 

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

Mission Split Conference

Presently represented in this lesson were Brazil, Ecuador, Africa, Samoa, and America! Opening prayer in French, closing in Portuguese haha. I love them

Jamal loves Elder Ritchie. This man has changed THOUSANDS of lives

The Eargles!! I so love them! 

 Bishop Leonard, he is such a good man

6-24-13 Julia's beautiful illustration of Heavenly Father's Love for Us

DAD MOM RY RASH LIZA EMMA and my dear beautiful brothers and sisters whom I love!

Liza's at BYU!! Horrah! Bret Turners all graduated now. Crazy! I love you all soo dearly! Emma dong, keep making oreo balls at the Stevens. They love you so much :)

What an incredible work this is! We are all brothers and sisters of a Heavenly family. We are children of God, our Eternal Father. Sweet Niraj, our Nepalese friend, is so great. He came to America 2 weeks before we met him and has never been taught about Heavenly Father or His Son, Jesus Christ. Though he speaks very little english and we speak absolutely no Nepalese, the Spirit has carried our words to His heart. I've never had to teach soo simply before. I love it! I love finding where our dear brothers and sisters are and walking with them to our Savior. Said once by Benjamin Franklin: "Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn." He's come to church the last two weeks and I'm pretty sure he understands next to nothing, BUT, thanks to the Lord, not nothing. After sacrament meeting, he leaned over to us and pointed to the closing hymn we had just finished singing. He looked at us and said, "I learned something." The hymn to which he pointed: I Am a Child of God. "I learned something." We lived with our Father in Heaven, moments ago. We are His children. Together we lived with Him, as brothers and sisters. Our Father wants us to have all that He has, so he created a plan for our happiness, for us to reach our divine potential. Jesus Christ, our eldest brother, stepped forward with humility and perfect love, offering Himself to provide the infinite and eternal sacrifice that we might overcome death and hell. Now we are here, on this beautiful world He created for us. And we must walk by faith. 

And oh how everything good points to Him, His Atonement, and this beautiful plan. Just as I have been sent to Washington DC and cannot see my parents, we have been sent to this earth, not able to see our Father in Heaven. But I know, without a doubt, that my parents love me, that they weep with me when I am sad, they rejoice with me when I am happy, they love and care about me more than I can comprehend. Our Father in Heaven cares so deeply, loves so perfectly, and works so diligently to help us become, even as He.    

He has provided His gospel that we might return home. He has provided the way. And Tony has made His first covenant with Him, His first promise. TONY IS BAPTIZED!! Woohoo! Our Father in Heaven and Savior must have been smiling so big because it was absolutely gorgeous that day. Words cannot describe what an honor it has been to learn from him and grow with him. He's the only investigator I've ever known who, after meeting with us for one week, humbly said in the most sincere way: "I brought an investigator to a friend's baptism this week." He IS an investigator! haha He's the best.   

Anderson, Jamal, Isaiah, and so many more of our Father's beloved children are we finding and bringing to our Savior in such miraculous ways. And we are not working alone! Catherine and Ayumi (two girls in our ward) were out trying to find the apartment of a less active girl in our area. The directory didn't have the apartment number, so - they started knocking doors! And they were let into the home of a girl name Saquia and they taught her the Restoration! hahaha. She's been to a ward activity  and at church this weekend. How glorious.

Ok. Talk about one HISTORIC broadcast: The Hastening of the Work of Salvation. From the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles: Elder Holland, Elder Perry, Elder Anderson, Elder Nelson & President Packer, along with our beloved prophet, President Monson. These men talk with our Risen Lord and Redeemer! Our loving Father in Heaven would not send us here with no guidance or direction. He speaks to His prophet and apostles that we might know of this glorious plan! They are on His errand and He, the Great Jehovah, IS hastening His work. He's coming. He will return to this earth in great glory and power. The end is nigh and oh how we must help Him bring our brothers and sisters to a knowledge of the truth. We can know for ourselves. Our Father in Heaven is listening and He cares. He will answer.   

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

To celebrate

 Exchange with Sister Kartchner :)

Niraj! Yes, he IS a child of God.

 Jamals doing GREAT! I love him so dearly

TONY'S BAPTISM!!! He was radiating