To be decided 11-28-21

 (Note from Mom: Jayda typed the title and forgot to go back and put a real title...so that's what it ended up as).

Holy Canoli! This week has been one big change after the other! 

It all started with last Monday at 3:00 AM when Sister Barlow and I woke up to leave for Fort Worth Texas. I really thought that I'd be tired that whole day, but all the changes kept me on my toes. 

When we got to Texas, we were able to meet President and Sister Chapman and our new companions. Sister Richards, my new companion, has been showing me the ropes of missionary work. She is an amazing cook and Pianist! To say the least, she makes up for what I lack and more, and I've been learning a lot of things from her. 

 On my second day on the mission, we made cookies to drop off to our friends and church members. It was a great way to start getting to know and love people in our area. BTW, we are in the Watauga area, the best area :)  We have also been dedicated to working out everyday, which sounds boring, but has actually been something that I looked forward to every morning and it helps me get out of bed quicker. We like to switch off between going to the gym and playing pickleball. 

As you all know, we also had Thanksgiving on Thursday, which was the perfect welcome to Texas. We got fed two big Thanksgiving feasts that day by two amazing families, and two days after that we got fed another thanksgiving dinner! If I've only learned one thing so far, it's that I've really grown to love pecan pie. I've had three different pecan pies and I've loved them all.  That, and I also really love everyone that I've met so far. There are great people down here in Texas that take superb care of us. I'm so grateful for them, they've made this transition way easier. 

AND...

Somewhere in the midst of all this newness and holiday fun, there has been actual missionary work going on On Friday, we were able to spend 6 hours helping a kind gal named Susan paint her house and pack her belongings. She's moving out of her home and moving into our ward! We're so excited to have her! Missionary work is the best because you can literally set aside time to help people for that long. That just blows my mind and I think that's pretty amazing.

It's been such an epic week! Even with all the change, which sometimes feels hard, I have so much to be thankful for. So, to stick with the theme of the recent holiday, I would encourage you to think of someone you're grateful for and to let them know how you feel, AND show them your gratitude through action in a way that is personal and specific for them.  :)  

I love ya'll

Stay tuned 

Me and Sister Barlow with our new comps. My comps is Sister Richards from Colorado.

Sister Richards and I made cookies for people

Service at Susan's

Me and my poggers-the final days - 11/20/21

 This is the final week in the MTC with my  pogger(People Of God)district and teachers. Sister Barlow and I leave at 4:30 AM Monday morning and head out to Fort Worth Texas woot woot!!! Though I'm so sad to leave, I'm so excited to dive into the work and to share the joy of Jesus Christ's gospel and Atonement. 

This week we had our last classes with Bro. Neyman and Sis. Svenson. Thats when it really hit me that we will all be leaving each other :(  There were lots of tears, and not just because of the spirit. I know we'll all be missing each other once we leave, but what gives me joy is that we have Facebook and email to always stay in touch. 

Beside our daily classes and studying, we spent lots of time in the game room playing connect 4, chess, and ping pong and eating ice cream. Plus, everyday this week, Sister Barlow and I reached our goal to walk 10,000 steps! All in all, this has been a top tier week that I'll ways remember. 

I love my Savior! I'm so thankful for this amazing week that He has given me with my poggers 

I've been trying to memorize D&C 112:10- 

Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

I know that He can answer your prayers, He can heal you, and He completely and unconditionally loves you. Be humble enough to turn to Him and He will reveal His love to you. 

The best pics of the week:

-my mom and sister sent me things!! Sorry I don't have a picture of both, just the package

-we are pencils

-Sis Barlow and I love the Book of Mormon

-pic with Sis. Svenson

-pic with Bro. Neyman

- our Irish jigging

I 💓 MTC!

 Howdy!

This week I finished off my time in home MTC and finally got to the Prove MTC on Wednesday! Time is weird here. It feels like I've already been here a month, but at the same time it felt like these past four days have flied by. 

It was a bitter sweet moment leaving my family, but they made it special by taking  me out to Tsunami (my favorite place ever) for lunch. After that, they dropped me off at the MTC and missionary work started right up again that same day. It was so awesome to actually see my whole district in person! My MTC experience was all pretty normal until our second day out when Sister Barlow was adjusting her charger and the outlet literally blew up and our power went out. Luckily it was light outside so we could still do our studies but that sure gave both of us a good scare haha. Other than that, everything has been pretty normal. My district and I have loved bonding with four-square and volleyball, and today we were even able to go to the Prove Temple together! 

This week I have been thinking a lot about the role Christ plays in my life. As I have been studying and pondering this week, I have come to understand Christ's role in my life in a way that I have never felt before. He can heal all of my problems and fulfill all of my needs. He is my savior, friend, and best advice giver. I know that as I actively seek Him through study and prayer, He hears me. He gives me power, and knowledge, and peace, and everything that is good. He loves me, and He loves all of you. If you ever have questions about Him or life in general, go to Him, He will never turn you down. 

Pic with momma and pops

Lunchtime with my district

district pic

bathroom picture with the Sisters

another picture with the Sisters haha

At the Provo Temple!

Me and Sister Barlow doing laundry

 

First week as a missionary!!

 Hi everybody!

(insert from mom: Jayda started home MTC on November 1, 2021 and will go to the Provo MTC on November 10, 2021)

I just want to start off by saying, I have such great teachers! Everyday has been jam packed with so much gospel learning, and every night, my head hits the pillow and I’m instantly out! To say the least, they have done a good job at keeping me busy. The first few days, I was having a hard time juggling everything we had to do each day, but I think I’ve finally gotten into the missionary groove Plus, I have the best district ever, and they help me look forward to my classes each day. Seriously though, they are the best and we all like each other so much that we take lots of pictures together and we like each others’ Facebook Posts! I can’t wait to meet all of them in person at the MTC in a few days!

I especially love my amazing companion Sister Barlow!! <3  She lives really close by so we were actually able to go to the temple together! Sister Barlow shares such great insights in class and in companion study, and I just have to say, I am so grateful she is my companion!  We have been able to teach a few trial lessons together. The first one was a little rocky haha, but we know we can only get better from there. Already, we are improving and understanding how to better teach people about the gospel. 

I would like to end with a scripture. 

D&C 88:119-

“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of PRAYER, a house of FASTING, a house of FAITH, a house of LEARNING, a house of GLORY, a house of ORDER, a house of GOD.”

Being at home for most of the day, I realize the importance of living in a home where God can dwell. Have you established a house where God can dwell? If not, what is lacking, and how can it be improved?

Book of Mormon Friday with my district (plus another distritct)

Hearts for our teacher Sister Magleby

Jordan River Temple with my companion and our cute mamas.