final post for 18 months

That's right, this is my last blog post for 18 months! Tomorrow I give my farewell talk and my Father/Stake President will be setting me apart tomorrow night. On Monday I turn 19, Tuesday I fly to Utah, and Wednesday at 1:45p.m. I report to the Missionary Training Center.

Lately I have been pondering the words in the following Hymn:

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

“223: Have I Done Any Good?,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 223

This Hymn makes me want to be an amazing missionary; it encourages me to strive to take every chance I get to share the gospel and talk to people. There are times when I have been preparing for my mission and I have felt inadequate to be a representative of The Lord. I found this quote from Elder Neil L. Anderson from his talk "You Know Enough"

“Nearly 40 years ago as I contemplated the challenge of a mission, I felt very inadequate and unprepared. I remember praying, ‘Heavenly Father, how can I serve a mission when I know so little?’ I believed in the Church, but I felt my spiritual knowledge was very limited. As I prayed, the feeling came: ‘You don’t know everything, but you know enough!’ That reassurance gave me the courage to take the next step into the mission field.” (http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/06/you-know-enough?lang=eng)

His words are comfort to me, as well as other future missionaries, who feel like they still have a lot to learn. Despite my feelings of shortcomings, I am vert blessed for the many mentors I have had influence my life. My parents, church leaders, and everyday friends encourage me to be my best self.


Letters and packages can be sent to my following address from July 3rd- July 17th:


Sister Rebecca Kay Price

JUL24 UT-TMSQ

2009 N 900 E Unit 142

Provo UT 84602

After July 17th my address for LETTERS will be:

Sister Rebecca Kay Price

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission

50 North West Temple St Rm BSVC

Salt Lake City, UT  84150-1819

After July 17th my address for PACKAGES will be"

Sister Rebecca Kay Price

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission

50 North West Temple St

Rm BSVC

Salt Lake City, UT  84150-1819

(Just realized the letter and packages address are same except the formatting of the text)

You can ALWAYS email me at   rebecca.price@myldsmail.net

From now on my sisters will HOPEFULLY do a diligent job updating my blog and posting my emails and photos. For all you readers...thank you for reading and being supportive of my mission. I love you all! I will be back January 3, 2015!

Last Week Home

A couple years ago I was a Junior in High School attending 5:45 a.m. seminary every weekday. I was responsible for driving my younger sister Sydney and a young man in my ward to seminary as well. One morning I arose for seminary and went downstairs to let the dogs out. Sydney came and told me she would not be going, because she was tired. Shortly after she told me, the young man I drove texted me and said he too would not be going to seminary. I sat at the kitchen counter contemplating wether to stay or go. I decided to ask my Heavenly Father. Out loud I prayed "Dear Heavenly Father, I am tired and would like to go back to bed. I would really like to miss seminary today. Can I stay or should I go?" Immediately I laid down my scriptures and read the words "Rise up, ye women..." (Isaiah 32: 9). Heavenly Father had given me a very clear answer. I remember the amazement I felt that morning when He answered my prayer right away. Of course, I went to seminary that morning.

Whenever I have seen a really good movie or read a great book (Hunger Games, shout out to Meghan Kevesdy) I've told my friends and family so they can partake of the greatness. That is just what I want to do with the gospel, share it with everyone, because it is great! In a week I will report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah. After two weeks at the MTC I will go to Salt Lake City Temple Square.

Preparing for my mission would not be possible without the help of my mom. She has helped my gather all the materials I need to go. Yesterday she drove me to the mall in Pittsburgh. There we (almost) completed gathering everything on the list of stuff that I need for my mission. She was always taken care of me. When she took me to college she made sure that I was left with plenty of food in my cupboards. Also, she was only a phone call away when I was at school. On my mission I will only be able to talk to her on mothers day and Christmas. This will allow me to focus more on my mission work. I can't wait to serve!

Families

Why Family Is So Important

"Our families provide a setting for much of the growth we experience in life.

In our families we love, serve, teach, and learn from each other. We share our joys and our sorrows. Family ties may bring us difficult challenges, but they also give us strength and some of our greatest happiness.

The family is central to God’s plan for His children. It is also the central unit of society and the means for bringing children into the world where they can be loved, provided for, and taught truth and righteousness (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).

While we cannot choose the conditions of our birth, we can choose each day to make our families stronger and happier. It is possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

-Mormon.org Importance of Families

I am no professional blogger...that is for sure. But I just thought I would share a couple brief thoughts about my amazing family:

I love my family. My parents and sisters have always been there for me and supported me. Especially my parents. I would not be going on a mission if it weren't for them.

My Mom is my hero. She can do anything! She is as tough as stone, but still knows how to comfort a crying child. I have looked up to her all my life. My mom taught me almost everything I know. Then there is my dad. The poor guy is alone in a house full of six women (my mom, sisters, and I). I don't know how he does it. Whenever I lack patience I simply think of my dad. He is patience. Now for my sisters...I will start with the youngest, Meredith. Meredith is my little bear. She is cuddly and fun, but also sassy and cool (remember not to poke the bear). Natalie is loving of everyone with an exciting personality that can lighten any mood. Sydney comes next. Sydney and I were always the best of buds. We were partners and crime and best buds while growing up. We were inseparable. Lastly there is Olivia. Olivia and I have a love/hate relationship, but love conquers all. She protected me from the scary planes when I was young and I always looked up for her. She is a great big sister (despite her physically short stature).

I love my family so much and I am so grateful that I will be able to be with them forever and all eternity.

If you are asking yourself "How can families be together forever, even after life on earth?" then click here for answers