10-21-13 Monson repeated three times: "Teach, Baptize.. I Am With You Always"

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMA and my lovely brothers and sister

Tyler is BAPTIZED! Woohoo! Earlier this week we had a lesson with Tyler, in which we planned to finalize all the details for his baptism. There, to our utter surprise, we found that not only had he assigned all the speakers, prayers, and musical numbers, chosen hymns and people to perform the ordinances, selected a pianist, chorister, and conductor, but he also gave the program details to our ward mission leader, announced the baptism on the ward 'list-serve' and Facebook page, wrote out his testimony for his talk after the baptism and supplied his own white clothing for the ordinance. What a dream! The whole experience teaching him has been like that. Surely the Lord has shaped him to be quick to observe: both in sight and in action. Like the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni - he "causes" things to happen, taking no delay to make preparations. I love him. I'm so humbled to know him. He even taught us the Restoration, via chalk and stick figures for our last lesson with him. The baptism was beautiful, the Spirit was powerful. He now has the precious and saving gift of the Holy Ghost.

I have experienced a spiritual down pouring from heaven in these few short weeks spent with Sister Woodbury. Father has opened my eyes spiritually and has expanded my vision. When the prophet and apostles feel impressed to repeat and or say things more than once, I feel a sense of excitement in learning and catching vision of the divine revelation our God has instructed them to share. It is of utmost importance that we know, do, and become these things. One scriptural passage that was shared twice in General Conference was D&C 58:2-4 "Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is night at hand."  If we look at the world around us with our natural eyes, we cannot see the design of our God. But as I've prayed to see things spiritually, to see and feel things as He does - my eyes have been opened. As Moses explained: "But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld" (Moses 1:11). I have beheld the workmanship of His hands.  I have seen His children as He does and felt the love and joy He has for each beloved son and daughter. Elder Bednar explained the gift of discernment as "seeing with spiritual eyes and feeling in the heart", "hearing with spiritual ears and feeling in the heart." (Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary). 

I'm grateful for Sister Crockett's example in discerning things spiritually, for surely it is a gift I was blessed to observe her utilize and practice through the grace of our Lord and Savior. My lovely companion is just one of the many people I've been able to see in a new light. As I've watched and labored beside her, the Spirit has helped me see countless strengths and gifts our Savior has enable her to develop. She is nonjudgmental, content, quick to share and to give what she has. She needs no recognition, power, or praise for the good that she does. She allows for privacy and respects sacred and personal matters. She laughs at my lame jokes (which is not an attribute easy to find hahaha..), brightens others with clever and amusing humor in a non sarcastic way, she is patient and quick to understand the why behind the behaviors of another. These are but a few of the Christ-like qualities she has been blessed with and I marvel at the workmanship of His hand. I love her. I love this work

Something reiterated THREE times now are these words, said by the mouth of our prophet President Thomas S Monson:
"The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord as He appeared in Galilee to the eleven disciples. Said He:

'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.'

This divine command, coupled with its glorious promise, is our watchword today as it was in the meridian of time. Missionary work is an identifying feature of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Always has it been; ever shall it be. As the Prophet Joseph Smith declared, 'After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.'"

NOW IS THE TIME OF THE HASTENING OF THE WORK OF SALVATION. He's coming quickly.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

Youssef :) 

Tyler's baptism

Tyler bought roses for all the missionaries involved in his conversion process

Sister Woodbury, my bud and companion

10-14-13 CHANGE IS Possible! We become...or are able to say I am (blank) ... because of the Great I AM! Not on our own

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMA and my dearly beloved friends

Mom, I love you! I hope you're ok. You're in the hands of our Savior I know it. Ryan, use your excellent dentist nursing skills and take care of her for me!

We can change. We were sent here to change, to become something more than we are at present. "Now is the time to repent." (Alma 13: Now is the time to change.

Sister Woodbury and I have been blessed with an investigator/brother/friend named Donovan. He's wonderful. He works at Jerry's Subs & Pizza all day long, every day of the week so we go there often to teach him. He's developed a terrible habit throughout his lifetime of labeling himself by his weaknesses and denying the very purpose of this life - namely, change. He came with us to sacrament meeting this week and we heard several claims including: "I am not a friendly person, that's just the way I am." "I don't read the scriptures, never have, never will." "I am not a church going person." "I can't contribute anything to these people." "I'm not important." From the inmost part of my heart, I have stood firm in helping him withstand these hopeless and faithless ideas. He is a son of the Most High God. Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, has suffered in Donovan's place. He has descended bellow his sins, his pains and his sorrows, his sicknesses and his temptations. Why? Why would He, who was perfect and sinless do such a thing? Because He loves us. He's suffered for each of us. We can change because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We can progress. We can become even as He.

As I was studying one morning, I was reading the words of the apostle James E Talmage in his book Jesus the Christ. He described the definition for the name Jehovah or I AM. It means the Eternal One. Like Him, we are infinite beings. We lived with God before we came to this earth and we will live again. Death is not the end. We are eternal, infinite beings. And through the sacred and holy name of Jesus Christ, the great I AM, we can and will be even as He - if we choose to be so. Our weaknesses are not who we are. We can change. We were designed to change and to become like Him. His grace is sufficient. When we claim ourselves to be anything below our divine potential, we are denying ourselves the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To say: "I am not important. I am not a social, friendly person. I cannot be forgiven. I am unproductive, lazy, worthless, ugly, judgemental, harsh" or anything else bad (Or for sake of missionary work: "I am bad at missionary work. I am too afraid to invite others. I am not bold or brave enough to talk to my friends.") We deny the very purpose of His suffering, death, and resurrection. Like Lehi, who only a few days out on their 9 year (or so) long journey to the Americas said, "I HAVE obtained a land of promise," (1 Nephi 5:5) we too must have faith enough to say "I am" what we were meant to become. I am kind, I am bold, I am loving, I love reading the scriptures, I am friendly, I make a difference, I am of great worth, I am important! Through the Jesus Christ, the Jehovah and great I AM, I am like Him. I know I will be. And I love every step of the way. I love repentance "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become." - Elder . Change. Repent. Through Jesus Christ, we don't have to stay the same. We can become something great.

We must allow others to change. I have changed. I am continually changing. And I thank each of you for not holding me back, for loving me enough to help me change. Ryan, Rachelle - Liza, Emma - Mom, and Dad. I love you.

NOW IS THE TIME.. His work has been hastened. He is coming quickly. Choose ye this day to be like Him. Choose to be a part of this unfolding miracle.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

Honey family! Its Sister Udall :D She's an incredible missionary!!!

                   I love Sister Woodbury

Donovan. Our good friend

Our Egyptian friends - Youssef and Ramy

10-7-13 Oh How Wonderful It Is That We Have A LIVING PROPHET!

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLEY LIZA EMDONG and my dear friends.

I'm loving the Langley YSA ward!! I haven't even met the entire ward yet, seeing that it was General Conference this weekend. But I've met a lot of them and they're great!  A day or two before Conference, we had a lesson with this INCREDIBLE investigator named Tyler.  We were reading in the Book of Mormon about the people who gathered to the temple to hear their beloved prophet King Benjamin speak.  We all then felt inspired to go to the temple to watch OUR beloved prophet President Monson speak.  So.. we did!  We recruited Daniel to come along, as well as some stellar members, Elza being one of them.  Oh how wonderful it is that we have a living prophet! 

 "NOW IS THE TIME!" Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, is hastening His work.  He will come again in power and great glory.  The numbers of our brothers and sisters entering into His fold will be miraculous, as long as we - missionaries and members alike, exercise our agency and faith in obedience to His instruction. I am reminded of Elder Holland's words, "Don't miss the opportunity of a lifetime by not ceasing it in the lifetime of the opportunity."  We don't have to simply watch, but we be anxiously engaged.  Miracles happen!  Constantly.  And no greater joy comes from this beautiful work.  If you don't have friends, pray for them!  I hope we all take part in this unfolding miracle by exercising the faith. I'm amazed to hear of the miracles happening back home.  It will make coming home feel like just another transfer, of which I am grateful!  Thanks for taking part in His work!  It surely brings the sweetest joy to help others experience the Atoning sacrifice of our Savior, possible only through His restored priesthood.  Oh what a thrilling time to live!  Tyler said something most inspiring after the close of this monumental conference.  It was his very first time hearing the prophet and apostles speak, and he turned to me and said (something along the lines of):  "Well wasn't that incredible!  Now it's time for us to change.  We've got to do and become all of those things before next General Conference."  Wow, he's great!  What a privilege to learn with him. 

Ok, quiz for everyone. What are the names of the missionaries in your ward?  Know them, love them, pray for them, and work WITH them!  Said by some inspired soul (who's name has escaped me): "Don't just go out with the missionaries, but take the missionaries out with you!" This is His work. He lives.

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

 Annandale Zone

 Sister Woodbury

This adorable Egyptian family that invited us in and fed us a delicious authentic dinner.

Tyler with YSA members at the Temple!