Mission President's Letter

Sorry, This Week has been crazy!!! Well Friday I got a letter from my mission president, that evidently got lost in the mail. I have to have sent a letter and all my driving stuff to him by the end of this week... I know right that's insane. So I have been thinking and thinking about all the stuff he wanted me to tell about myself. First what are your talents. Well I obviously couldnt put sleeping, eating raw cookie dough, and writing letters to my missionary. By the way that is what my life has consisted of for two weeks while I was home alone... I might have even forgotten to take a shower every day... I know right, you are thinking gross, how is this girl going to go on a mission.. When you dont have a life, it really doesnt matter what you do. I know that it was Satan working on me, but I seriously couldnt think of any talents I have. I am just a sarcastic, tom boy, who watches a lot of movies. I cant do anything well. So what do I do in times of need email my missionary begging for him to help me. However, Monday was Veteran's Day so no email... All  I could think of was now I have to figure out my talents on my own... So I thought and thought, there might have been some distractions with Facebook, and movies. Ok let's be honest I was very distracted, and  I might have gone on a hike/ 4 wheeling trip to Willard Peak, where there was no thought to the letter, or all the questions I have to get answered. By the way like a foot of snow up there and it was 60 degrees. It was amazing. Got some awesome pictures too that I will post. Finally I thought I would get an email today, he usually emails around 10. So what was I doing every 10 seconds until almost 11. Refreshing my email. Finally I decided to start writing the letter this is what I got.

November 12, 2013

Dear President Hobbs,

                I am so excited to be able to serve a mission with you and your sweet wife. I know that I will love you as I get to serve with you in the months to come. I have never felt so sure about a decision I have made until my decision to serve a mission. I know that all my experiences, and all the studying I have done has helped me to prepare to serve a mission. Each day I try to prepare myself even more by reading the Book of Mormon, reading A great and Marvelous Work by LeGrande Richards, reading the general conference talks, studying the lessons in  Preach my Gospel, memorizing scripture masteries, and going to the temple twice a week. I have also gone out with the missionaries here to teach lessons as well. Each time I go out with the missionaries I am overjoyed and cannot wait to be able to serve my own mission. I love the Spirit and the happiness it brings me to share my testimony and knowledge of the Gospel is true. I already have love for the people in Rancho Cucamonga and dray for them daily. I am preparing to take my endowments out very soon, so that I can have the knowledge and understanding about more of the covenants of the church. So I can have that excitement and the joy of going to the temple, and be able to share that with my future investigators. I truly love attending the temple. I know that one of the main reasons I moved to Utah was the Lord knew I needed to gain a greater testimony of the temple and temple work. I know how important families are in the church , and how temples help our families to become eternal. I have a wonderful family that I love very much, however, most of my family are either inactive or not members.  

                My parents were married in the Logan Temple. They had three children. I am the oldest and I am twenty, then my eighteen year old sister, and my seventeen year old brother. We were all raised in the church, however, when I turned eight my parents divorced. Divorce is hard for any family, but for a LDS family I think it is even harder. For a long time I felt like I would never have an eternal family. My Mom eventually moved out of Utah, and remarried. My mother and siblings fell away from the church, but my mom gave me a choice. I decided to keep going to church because I knew it was true. I knew that I could never give that up in my life. I learned sooner than most kids how to be independent, and not rely on the testimony of my parents. My mother remarried someone who was not a member, and I got two more siblings; my little sister who is five and my little brother who is four. My mother, step father, both my sister, my little brother, and my niece all live in Tennessee; where I have lived for eight years of my life. I moved back to Utah about a year and a half ago, I live with my maternal grandparents who are members of the church. Although, my Dad and most of his family life in Utah as well I hardly see them or talk to them. My Dad has been inactive for several years now, and has never really had a relationship with me. I have tried to include him in my life, and my decision to serve a mission. My aunts and uncles are all so excited and supportive of me, along with my maternal grandparents and mother. I know that by going on a mission and serving I will be an example to my family. I hope that with my example I will be able to bring my family closer to the gospel. I know that I have been given these trials and my family for a reason. It even says in my patriarchal blessing, “It is not by accident that you have been placed in the circumstances where you have had the opportunity here in this life to receive blessings of the gospel.” I have been blessed with the knowledge that this is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I have been blessed with the great opportunity to share this knowledge with all the people in Rancho Cucamonga California, and I cannot wait.

Jessica Bell

Side not I like the fact that today is 11 12 13. well finally it is 12 and guess what I missed an email from Josh. Actually I didnt miss it, we got to email back and forth for almost an hour. It is probably sad to say, but that was the best hour of my life since he left. Well besides the day I got my mission call. So he forgot to answer my question. So I was like answer my questions!!! Please. I love you. He cant get mad at me demanding answers if I say I love you. :) He told me he could picture my face saying that too. I laughed, considering I make a lot of faces, and he knows me all to well to know that I was making a face while emailing that to him. So I called him a dork and this is what i get in response, "i am right now. :) can I just say that it is wonderful to hear you say that.(Calling him a dork) :)  what are your talents? you are a great listener, you have a huge sense of duty and work. you are wonderful at sewing, cooking, this might be weird, but money management is a great strength.you have a great knowledge of the scriptures, you love to read. i don't remember all of you questions though. yeah, it is. It feels like you are so close, and I like that.(This is in response to me asking if he liked me calling him a dork.) I think that you were right, you would do great with trainer that will help you become that 4th missionary. and that is so awesome that you got that from mary! it's a wonderful talk. I love how detailed it is. to answer a question that you had in your letter, no you are not stopping me from being that 4th missionary. When I came out here I told you that I would do everything to stay focused, and I am. there are some days where that is harder, so I have to think, would Jess want me to be thinking about her or what I should be doing right now.Oh, I wanted to tell you, I'm grateful that you are so creative and awesome! I love that about you. does it ever bother you that I'm not very creative? that's great that my family is helping so much, I'm really glad that you've been able to be with them so much. I read a quote the other day "take a deep breath. smile. it's only a bad day, not a bad life" that is so awesome that you are going through the temple!!!( So I got my endowment day this week!!I am more nervous about it than anything, and I have had an anxiety attack because of it. I am so excited about it too. I love that I will be able to be that much closer to my Heavenly Father. I cannot wait to make another covenant with Him. I know how much it will bless my life, and how many questions it will help me answer.) I love the temple and I know that you will love it even more when you get your endowments. I love you!!!  so much Jessica. you are amazing and such a good example to me. thank you for everything. thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! :) ( So I asked him what he wanted for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and this is what he wrote.)  I loved the pictures that you sent as well, those were so great!!! and i liked you drawing, :) I don't need anything for thanksgiving. if you really want to give me something for Christmas though.... I do have a few things that I need. there a few books, I can't remember their names right now. also a tie bar. insoles for my shoes. piano music to listen to. you want to know what I have been really craving? that protein shake that you buy at sam's club. for some reason that sounds so good.( Apparently he thinks I am made of money. I however have a few other ideas for Christmas. I am making a book of us, and a blanket. Along with a missionary stocking that I am making.) I know that you love me. :) but I don't need that to make me happy I have you.( This was because I would send him that stuff for Christmas) You know one of the hardest things about being out here, is that I can't help you. or my family,. I know that the Lord will take care of you, but i wish that I could help you by sending you things. or by doing anything. because I want to make you happy. and yes, I am so sad about not having CFA... ;) really though, I crave it sometimes... ( We worked at CFA together) ( Well then he had to go, it is always sad when he says bye to me. I was happy that he was able to answer my question, and made my day. I got all of my letter done to my mission president from his help. And this is how he signs off. ) I LOVE YOU!!!!!! have a good week. Remember that I am there for you. and I know that you know that our Heavenly father is there for you. "

Remember that. You are never alone, you will always have someone to help you and be by your side. Just remember to ask. I hope all of you have a good week. I will be spending tomorrow at the DMV getting all of my driving records and a new license to send ... Yay!... Not really, but I am getting my mission pictures done tomorrow, that part is exciting. O and here is the pictures from my hike, and one of my sweet missionary out in the mission field. 

This is a mountain goat I saw, sorry for the crappy picture. 

Missionary Call Acceptance

I received my mission call over a week ago. It was the most thrilling and anxiety filled day of my life so far. Not only had it taken four long months to finally get it, but I then waited patiently by my standards to open in until everyone could come together to hear my great news. So much emotion and tension on one little piece of paper that will tell me where I could finally go and teach others about my testimony, and about my experiences that have truly given me the knowledge that THIS CHURCH IS TRUE!! So finally I am tearing the corner of the big white envelope. (When it came in the mail I couldnt believe it and almost overlooked it. I know everyone is thinking how could that be possible. Well when i finally read the name Sister Jessica Bell. I started jumping up and down and screaming. Might have gotten a few strange looks from neighbors who were outside.) Well I got the packet out and threw the envelope down. Not realizing that the call was in fact on the piece of paper still in the envelope. Ok side note. I didnt care where I was called, I didnt have a preference, I knew I would go where the Lord wanted me to. However everyone had told me I was going to go to Russia. I really didnt think that I would, and I hadnt hoped  to, except when I read where I was going I was a little disappointed that it was not to Russia. Everyone is yelling at me to read it our loud. How could I read it out loud when I was letting it sink in where I was finally called to serve. I had to laugh because never had I thought that i would be called to the California Rancho Cucamonga mission. I could barely pronounce Cucamonga let alone serve there. The funny thing is my aunt, uncle, and cousins had just gotten back from a trip to Disneyland where they had driven through Rancho Cucamonga, and had said wouldnt it be funny if Jess went here. Well I didnt think so. Except when I was reading down further I knew that I needed to go here for some reason. I would help someone or someone would help me. I would grow in California, and I would gain a stronger testimony of the church. Was I nervous? YES!! Who wouldnt be? I am leaving my home, the people I love, and my comfort zone to go somewhere I have never been. To teach people I have never met. And to live with another girl that the only thing we may have in common with is that we are serving a mission in Rancho Cucamonga for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What was I thinking? I cant even stand working with some girls, and hanging out with some girls for a night let alone sharing the same space for a whole 18 months with lots of different girls. Almost all my friends are guys because of the simple reason I hate drama, and basically everything that girls do. I am seriously a Tom Boy.BUT GUESS WHAT? Heavenly Father knows this. Heavenly Father will be with me every step of the way and will help me get over all my fears like the ones about my companion. My fears of being someone new( which isn't actually that big of a fear, I great at making new friends and talking to people. Kinda happens when you move 15 times in your life and you are only 20) And my fears of being inadequate in my knowledge of the gospel. 
So I being to look at the packet, now that the cat was out of the bag everyone realized how hungry they were and I became less interesting than the food that was before them, Which tends to happen a lot. Food is good. Somehow, in the process of submitting my mission papers, I didn’t quite realize that I would be required to actually write a letter directly to the First Presidency in order to accept the call.  When I got my call and read the accompanying packet, I was a little intimidated–what could I possibly have to say to the Brethren?  I think this is probably the reaction a lot of new missionaries have. So I put it  off, that and the fact that last Sunday was Stake Conference so I couldnt have given it to my bishop to send anyways. Then on Halloween Josh's dad (my missionary out in the mission field. So proud of that boy. He still doesnt know where Im going) said well i assume your acceptance letter is in, and then I remember that I still had not written the First Presidency. What am I suppose to say, I know that I want to serve a mission. and I know that the Lord wants me to serve the people of Rancho Cucamonga California, however how do I do that. So I did what any good Mormon girl does when she doesnt know what to do. I prayed. I got on my knees and told Heavenly Father to help me to know what to write to accept my new calling as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Well he answered. I wrote my acceptance. here it is:

Dear Brethren:
I gratefully accept the call to serve. I have never been so sure about any decision I have made in my life, except for this one. I know in my heart that I am doing the Lord's will. I am going out in search of that one lost sheep. I know with Heavenly Father's love and support I will be able to help serve the sweet souls in the are of Rancho Cucamonga, California. I know that this is the path that I will follow to be closer to my Heavenly Father. and to have the great blessing of the Spirit in my life. I have faith that with Him I can fulfill my calling as a missionary, without Him I will fail. "I will boast of my God, in his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:12) I thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to go out and do the work and serve. I know the blessings will be numerous and my testimony of the gospel will grow. 
Sister Jessica Bell 
I know that Heavenly Father was helping me to write this. I could have never done it on my own. For months I have been getting answers to my prayers about serving on a mission, and it finally happened. I have the ability to serve. But, I dont have to wait to share my testimony of the gospel, and invite others to come unto God. I have been preparing for a mission my entire life, through hearing the testimonies of my teachers, bishops, friends, and prophets. I know that this church is true. There is something that my missionary shared with me the night before he left to the MTC. Well I guess it was from his uncle,who just got back from a mission in Africa. But anyways he said. "You will have good times and you will have bad times. And when those times come get on your knees and the Lord will help you to know that you are blessed and that you are loved . Everything is going to be just fine. " 

Never have I felt more love and support than I do right now, because I have submitted everything I have to the Lord. And my will, will be His for 18 months. I know that I will grow, I will be come more patient, loving, and an all around better person because I am dong what the Lord asks us to do. I am Following Him . I am serving Him, and Finding that one Lost sheep that has gone astray.  "This could be the best two years of my life, but it will definitely be the best two years for my life." I know this is true. There is something that Josh shared in his letter today that I wanted to share. 

Stand TALL. 

Reach High. 

You personify, the image of God above.

Be glad you are you. 

Lay Claim to your due. 

Of His glorious light and love. 

I am a MORMON. I know it. I live it. I love it. Nothing will ever change that for me, I have know since I was 12 that there was something special about this church that I never wanted to lose, and I am determined to never quit having that special feeling each and every time I talk about the gospel, or go to the temple, or do something that I know is right. I know that when I am on my mission, I am going to make it the best 18 months of my life. I will grow, I will teach, I will love, and I will share my passion for what I know is true. A missionaries success is not from the amount of baptisms we do. It is about the true conversions we make happen. All we have to do is plant the seed and let it grow. It will blossom eventually. Just like in the Disney movie Mulan, "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." The entire world is in a state of adversity, Satan is all around. However, Light always overcomes darknes, and the flower will bloom,and once they realize how important the gospel is they will never let it  go. 

Just What I Needed to Hear

So I am getting sick.. That is never fun. But I think that Josh knew I wasn't feeling well. Cause I got a surprise letter from him. It made my day. :) Some of my favorite things in his letter:

 I remember walking up to the theater, I was so nervous... My hands were sweating (but i guess they always do) and thinking Wow she looks great. I can still see you standing there looking like you had butterflies. I know that what we have, our love for each other is real.... I truly do love you, you are my girl. We fit perfectly together. I love that you have helped me to gain a greater testimony of the temple, families, and the love that our Heavenly Father has for us. And you have helped me to feel my Saviors love because of your love for be. Being as imperfect and in need of improvement as I am. No one should love me as much a as you do. Yet I know that you  do anyways. And I am forever grateful for that. And I know that you are shaking your head and rolling your eyes right now.... I know that our love will last. Two years really will go by fast. Let's try not to think too much about time though because it will go slower if we do. I love you with all my heart, with everything that I am. And that love will only grow .
With love, and forever yours,
Elder Broadbent
He is such a sweetheart. I cant believe that he started talking about our first date. I had no idea that he still thinks about our first date. I am so proud of him and his service. Right now he is having a hard time out in the mission, he doesnt feel like he is making a difference, and all of his appointments are falling through. He is always an optimist, and in his letter, he was telling me what he thinks is hard, and yet he is still being an optimist. He is still able to have a good outlook on life. I know that he is making a difference even if he cant see it. He is an amazing missionary and is going to make an even better husband. He isnt even here right now, and he still knows exactly how to make me feel better.  I am so glad that he is still thinking of me, and loves me. I know that he loves me with all his heart, and I love him the same way. I guess that is the end of my rant about my amazing boy out in the mission field. I know that he is mine and I am his forever and always.
Not only is he amazing, but his family is as well. I spent Halloween with his family and it was amazing. I spent about an hour just talking to his parents. Then when his little brother got home from trick or treating we just sat there and watched Monster's University together. (On a side note, Love this movie it is so cute. Me and Josh saw it together before he left. I fell asleep in his arms when we watched it. So i was trying to not be emotional when I watched it this time) The movie was hilarious, and it was fun to just watch it with his family. They act so much like him, and make me feel just as loved as if Josh was still here. Especially his dad's hugs. Which I get any time that he sees me.. So basically once a week. :) I even brought them cookies. ( I was dressed as little red hiding hood, and since they were the only people i went and saw on Halloween they got all the treats for grandma.) :)

Since someone cough cough my aunt said that there was too much love letters I decided to share the rest of Elder Broadbent's letter to me really helps me to know how great a missionary he is becoming. 

We have quite a few investigators, who we try to contact regularly. We've already gotten 4 new investigators since I've been here, which for this area is really good. The only problem is that when we schedule appointments with them it's more of like a time that they think might be available if they arent doing anything else. A lot of the time it's really hit and miss, but when we do have lessons they are so powerful. We had a lesson with a former investigator named Allen. It was so spiritual. In the past he has been really sketchy and difficult to teach, but the lesson was so good. He said he got goose bumps and knows everything is true, ans he realized that he needs to make the next step and be baptized, which was awesome. So we are going to work with him. 

I know that he is having a hard time, and all missionaries go through hard times, but he is making the most out of it. He is doing God's work, and in the end that's all that matters. He is following the Lord's plan and trying to hasten the work of Salvation. I am so proud of my missionary and know that he is and will bless the lives of those around him. Now everyone knows that there is more than all that lovey dovey stuff in the letters I receive. He is growing his faith, love, and testimony of the Gospel. He is doing God's will, and he is loving every minute of it. 

Me as little Red Riding Hood