I Got It From My Mama

A goal for the rest of my life: take more pictures with my mommy.

In a furious hunt for a mug shot of the both of us to slap up for today's national holiday there wasn't much to pick from! I scrolled through pages and pages of facebook pics and vivid memories of college came flooding back. But where were the pictures of my family? It is true that I have lived away from home for a long long time in a galaxy far away (Idaho and Kentucky count as different galaxies right?) but that is no reason to neglect the people who mean the most to me for forever. My mother is the best I could have ever asked for. She is an example to me of Christlike living. The woman never stops serving! Sure we have had our share of screaming crying "you just don't understand" fights and all, but those are far outweighed by crazy memories, late nights eating too much sugar, and special spiritual moments. A mommy's job is to prepare her children for the eternities. Want to read the job description? It's right HERE

Not all moms are the kind that carry us around in their womb for 9 months. I was blessed to have two women in my life to celebrate. And apparently I'm equally bad at taking pictures with both of them! My dad married his wife when I was 9, she was 21. Granted we didn't live together but her influence in my life is everlasting. She is so hardworking, determined, ambitious, and I love to see how amazing she is with the 2 beautiful babies that they are raising now.

I think it's easy on Mother's day for those of us who don't have children of our own yet to be discouraged. I know that there is no greater calling in life than the responsibility of raising precious children. But you and I, my fellow members in the "waiting-for-the-day-the-babies-come club", we still have the same calling. We can be good role models for teenage girls we know. We can play with our friends babies (and give them back when they cry). We can love widows and widowers in our community who's children are far away. We can be a sister to someone who is lonely. The call of motherhood is not given to us when our uterus pushes out a human. We are women. And we uplift others!

Suit Up and Embrace It

Today I'm being awesome. And even if I'm not feeling awesome I'm telling myself that I am. I'm so sly I can trick my own brain into making it think what I want it to! This sign was a friend's Christmas present but I loved it so much I had to have a picture of it for posterity's sake. Today I'm embracing awesomeness that comes from sharing the gospel!

You may recognize this quote from a picture on my goodies page

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. - 2 Nephi 9:39

Want to know something cool about that scripture? It has a fun little reminder hidden in it. Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal: S.M.I.L.E.

True Story.

Enjoy Your Life

My brain is basically a radio. There is always something spinning around on repeat in there! Sister Jasper will usually turn off the music in the car and ask me to sing to her. We've decided our motto for the next 6 weeks is "sunny with a high of 75" inspired by this song by Relient K.

I may seem a little biased towards this band since I featured their song just a few weeks ago, but I swear I like other music too. Possibly a post coming soon with my favorite music of Christmas? You betcha!

The reason we chose this song is because of the line that says "It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive" they also make references to how the weather affects us and our attitudes.
WE WILL NOT LET THAT AFFECT US! There are rumors that the coming months are bringing us the worst winter Nashville has had in a long time. But what kind of weather is best for missionary work? Any weather!!! In our hearts we'll be warm and fuzzy and feeling like it's 75 and sunny out there!

It's a choice we're making to work hard and be positive. Here's my movtivating scripture!

 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

 28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

Each one of these cheery yellow pictures is a direct link to its source. I hope you find some that you like! What do you do to remind yourself to CHOOSE to be HAPPY??

Lessons Learned

Otherwise known as

"Things my mom tried to teach me but it took a mission to learn"

Be happy where you are.
Tell your friends and family you love them but show it too.
Support your Priesthood leaders. No matter what.
Read your scriptures every day.
Clean as you go and always drink your green smoothie!

I'm sure not perfect at any of these things yet, but I'm working on them and this woman right here taught me my whole life by her example. Moms are great. Mine is the best. Just sayin' :)

Whoops!

I've promised a few people that a post would be coming about journaling and what do you know, I'm once again at the library with my notes left at home.

What I will share today is something that I wrote in one of those journals I forgot to blog about. When I was making a list of reasons I was happy am on a mission and the things I think I'm sacrificing to be here I had a realization. I left behind an ok life to experience a fantastic one! Lets face it I wasn't exactly the most dedicated person 6 months ago. My biggest determination was that I was going on a mission, not necessarily staying, but I would go.  Now that I have actually taken the opportunity to lose myself in the work and service for others it's turned into something that I love and I see the importance of sharing my faith with less hesitation when I'm in "the real world"

“We have to forgo some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.” -Dallin H. Oaks

Today a part of me might be wishing that I could be sitting at a sewing machine making fancy schmancy blocks for a quilt or listening to music with my brother or cooking with my mom and grandma for the holidays or laughing at some weird thing my little sisters said but in the eternal scheme of things my dedication right now to others is going to bring greater happiness for them and for my family! This one is for y'all back at home!

Some Counsel That I Love

President McKee's wise advice: Don't ever be afraid that you will offend someone by sharing what you believe. We all love to know that our friends care for us and there is no better way to show them your love than sharing Eternal happiness with them!

(Another great picture created by Elder Dallof)

Smoothing Out

The smile is back! I'm being tumbled around in a spiritual rock polisher and some of my theoretical rough edges were made a little bit smoother this week. Thank you to those who commented on my last post. It's reassuring to know that I have a "team" even when I might not be on it myself.

It really is in the depths of our despair that we can choose to continue to wallow in that misery that I imagine to be a pit filled with those ugly creeps from Labyrinth:

Or we can turn to the Savior and trust in the power of His Atonement.

Personally I want absolutely nothing to do with the greasy little Jim Henson monsters. I choose Jesus.  Elder Lund shared a talk with us called The Faces of Pride, given by the Prophet Ezra Taft Benson in 1989. He encouraged us to each to pray, read it and make some goals based on the promptings received while reading. I'd like to share a paragraph that impacted me.

"The proud depend upon the world to tell them whether they  have value or not. Their self-esteem is determined by where they are judge to be on the ladders of worldly success.  They feel worthwhile as individuals if the numbers beneath them in achievement, talent, beauty, or intellect are large enough. Pride is ugly. It says, 'if you succeed, I am a failure.' If we love God, do His will, and fear His judgment more than men's, we will have self-esteem."

I choose to follow the Savior and trust in Him for help in my hard times. My success is not based on the achievements of other missionaries. Elle is doing ok. Excuse me. Sister McCall is doing ok (sometimes I need to remind myself that I'm still me). I'm going to share one more quote that comes from Preach My Gospel that I read this morning.

"Your confidence and faith should be in Christ, not in yourself. Rely on the Spirit rather than your own talents and abilities."

So here I am. Still swimming. And I hope you're doing the same :)

Welcome to November

On the last night of every month I sing a variation of that song by Green Day "Wake Me Up When September Ends". This morning I was thrilled to wake up to November! Sister Jasper and I took some pictures the past few days of the changing leaves.
Autumn is my absolute favorite and I've never experienced one this beautiful before! I feel very blessed to have had chances in my life to see different parts of the world and how diverse beauty can be.
I heart Tennessee!!!

Its almost like they are on fire! I think it's amazing that the world is so diverse and there are so many things that are beautiful. It's just another way I can see how much God loves us!

5 Reasons Why I'm a Timelord

Ready for Sister McCall to go all nerdy on you? You better be! This is a mega blog post because I just got so dang excited about it!
Some of you may know that I am a big time super fan of Doctor Who. I came up with this list of comparisons between myself and the Doctor yesterday during my scripture study time. The similarities between us are pretty incredible. Except I only have one heart.

1. I regenerate. Different interests. Different clothing. Same person.

One thing I was worried about when I left on my mission was how I would stay myself when I couldn't do any of the things that I was used to. I have come to understand that it is ok to be myself despite the change in clothes and time schedule. Elle is still in there! What I have the chance to do is focus on the needs of other people. As I help them accept the gospel of Jesus Christ I understand it better myself and I polish off some of those rough edges that I'm really much better without.

2. I pop up at odd times in people's lives with a blue box to help them. And yes. It's bigger on the inside. This one holds eternal life. Pretty cool huh? Sometimes I have wanted my own Tardis to be able to travel through the time and space continuum, but I'll happily settle for this blue book that holds the record of 1,000 years of history and scripture. Get your own mini Tardis here for free!!

3. I travel with a companion 24/7.

4. Sometimes time and distance separate me from people that I love. I meet people along my journey that I might not get to see again but they are always close to my heart.

I was so sad to leave the first area I served. Hopkinsville Kentucky will have a piece of my heart forever! I left some best friends behind when I had to go.

5. I have been known to wear a fez.

(This one may be a bit of a stretch. But the rest are good reasons am I right?)



You're Weird and I Like That

I'm happy.

I'm me.

I'm fearless.

And it sure hasn't always been that way.
This blog began 5 months ago when I had a lot of fear.
Here I am, thrown out into the middle of Tennessee and Kentucky with nothing but scriptures, prayer, a few skirts, and a companion with a huge responsibility to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Every action is a reflection of my love for the Savior. I didn't know what I was doing. I still have a ton to learn.

But what I do know is this:

The Lord called me here for a reason. There are people here that will learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ because they need to hear it they way I teach. I wasn't called because I'm a perfect teacher but through my diligence and the things that God throws my way I keep learning and He's helping me to become more Christlike.

I can do this. I have 13 more months to live it up!

(thanks to emily for the encouragement to post a picture of myself, even if it is an old one...)
(and thank you to arielle elise for the inspiring post about letting go of fear. she shared some great quotes!)

You Know You're A Missionary When...

1. You keep teaching even in your sleep.

(An Elder that I met at the MTC who just about passed out tired in the grass!)

2. When your dreams are about music you used to listen to you wake up thinking it was a nightmare

(These cute girlies sang Taylor Swift songs to us one day and then they made sure both T-Swift dolls had their steatbelts on!)

3. The Prophet of the Restoration movie sounds like a great date night activity for when you get home.

(Plus I found this blog about a girl who loves this movie as much as I do!)

4. Every bad day can be fixed with a quick trip to Menchies!

(They may possibly know us by name now. And not because of our nametags)

5. You go to a wedding/baptism/event where other people are dressed nice and you think "Crap I forgot to dress up for today" then you remember you wear a skirt 90% of the week.

(We were even dressed up for when we met Zac Efron!)

2 Reasons I'm Supposed To Be In Nashville

My name is written all over this town!!

Be Happy!!!

Photo Montage Time!

It's no secret to those that followed my non-mission blog that I love finding silly/cute/pretty/weird pictures on the internet. Today's theme is HAPPY!!

Sister Jasper and I have a goal for the next 6 weeks to CHOOSE to be happy. Life is all made up of choices so why choose to be a downer?

I hope a few of these little fun reminders help you choose to be happy today!

Love ya byyyyyyee!!!

--Sister McCall

Thursday Thankfuls

Guess who's been keeping up on her gratitude challenge? ME!
Since I've written the past few days in my journal I'll share today's list here!

1. I am grateful for my new companion Sister Karen Jasper!! You better believe it when I say there are some incredible memories to be made this transfer! I'm thinking about making a new blog page for missionary words. Like transfer...

2. I am thankful for a lap full of warm puppies. It was a few weeks ago that this picture was taken, but Sister Valentine and I talked a lot about how wonderful pets are because they just love you no matter what you're going through and they don't sass you back! Best listener award goes to our pets!

3. I am grateful for sticky notes. I've written about how much I love them before. Aren't they just a clever idea though? A little piece of paper that has glue on it so you can put it places for reminders or just little happy notes. I always vote yes for leaving sticky notes!

4. I am thankful for crunchy leaves to step on. Fall in the south is incredible! I grew up in Northern California where it is green all year round and it is so beautiful to see swirls of yellow and red and brown leaves in the wind. LOVE IT!

5. I am grateful for Trader Joe's tomato sauce that is waiting in my fridge to be eaten for lunch. (You know I had to get some kind of food squeezed on this list somehow!)

What are YOU thankful for??

The Anniversary of My Birth

I love then and now comparisons so I thought I'd throw some birthday footage your way! Yes, October is the best month out of the entire year because it's my birthday month and Halloween too! So here's a treat, a shot from my 5th birthday party! I'm the little blonde one :)

And my birthday as properly celebrated at a member's home this past week with AMAZING pumpkin cheesecake! It was seriously the best birthday I could have ever asked for!

And it was finished by opening a package from home! My mom has made it a tradition to theme the birthday packages she sends me based off of whatever I'm obessesing over at the moment. The only thing I'm really obsessed with right now is the Gospel and also...Menchies Frozen Yogurt (probably going to get a post all to itself) so I just said...hmm..bees! Here's what wonderfully amazing things my mom put together for me!

Isn't she the greatest? Such a fun day and I felt so loved by everyone I met. I think I want to always treat people like it's their birthday. Blink-182 may claim that "nobody likes you when you're 23" but I have different plans for this year!!

*Art Series Time!*

I've been rifling through a pile of Ensign magazines from hmmm...about 1991-1994 and amid the great articles from the General Authorities of the church and inspiring stories written by members (and awfully funny poems) I have found some artwork that I just love!
So here is what you have to look forward to for the upcoming week:

One painting a day that I find inspirational, uplifting, or otherwise spiritually wonderful as pertaining to the 13th Article of Faith,

*

I sure hope you're excited because I've just been bursting at the seams to share some of these!!!

Thursday Happies!

OOOOOOOk! Time to make a list of thankfuls and things that made me so so happy these past few weeks! On Sunday we went to a birthday party lunch for a family at church. I can't hear the sound in this video because I'm at the computer lab at the library, but here is the best card EVER that B got for his birthday. Doesn't it just make you so happy?? A DINGO ATE YOUR BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!

Hrmph. I put the video on here and it was messing everything up. And now it won't load. So sad! Some day I'll go a-youtube hunting again to share the card. But until then, here's a picture of my best friends.

Speaking of best friends, my best friend K sent me a letter this week that was..wait for it....16 pages long!!! I haven't really heard from her at all since I left on my mission 4 months ago and I was thrilled to get an envelope stuffed with wonderful pages of letter! Missionaries crave mail. It's the sustenance that keeps us going. False. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my understanding of the Plan of Salvation are what really keep me going. But mail is really super awesome.

I don't have a picture of the massive letter, so one of us together will have to do!

This picture of my ADORABLE brother L. Isn't he just the sweetest?? I love my family so much and I've only been able to meet this little one a few times. Being on a mission has taught me just how important families are!

We went to the Nashville Temple last week! When I walked into the temple I felt the stress and frustration I've had for a long time disappear. For a few hours I was completely free of that weight. This picture is fun because we were looking up at a bird that was perched on the Angel Moroni's trumpet, but it looks as if we're gazing heavenward. So much joy!

Have you ever made mini popsicles out of soda in an ice cube tray with brite crawlers as the popsicle stick? I highly recommend it. They are delicious and make lots of good memories and giggles. Ah! And the word for giggle in Spanish is "risilla" learned that one recently!

I keep thinking about this sign that's back home at our institute building. I just wish sometimes that people would walk up to the church just begging to be taught! But that's not how the work goes. Actually, sometimes it does! A few months ago a woman walked into the church building on a Sunday thinking, "hey this might be a nice place to attend church!" She was quickly introduced to missionaries and she was baptized two weeks ago! Is that a miracle or what?



And the most exciting wonderful cherry on the top of the month thing ever??? New music to listen to!!! Have you ever heard of the Nashville Tribute Band? They have these three wonderful CDs each with a theme about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One is Joseph, about the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The second is called Trek, about the pioneers and the sacrifices they made as they crossed the plains. The newest, Work, is all about missionaries and what it's like for us to leave our families for 18-24 months to devote all of our efforts to the Lord. Keep on reading because I'm pretty sure I'll have more to say about this music.

So, overall, things are so great. The work is hard but the blessings are amazing!