Consider the Lilies

9/22/14

This week we've been doing lots of finding! We've met a couple people with potential, so we'll see how they turn out! 

But one thing we've been trying to learn more about is Family History.  We know this will be a great missionary tool, and have already met some people who are interested in it, so we want to start getting into it.  But as we've been trying to learn more, I've had the opportunity to read some stories from my ancestors.  I am so inspired by them.  Several of them lived during the time of Joseph Smith and had personal contact with him, and it is so cool hearing their stories and testimonies of him.  Hearing their stories strengthens my own personal testimony that he was a true prophet of God. 

I'm also so inspired by the faith of many of my ancestors.  Florence Tate Horne wrote of her mother (Anne Marie Godfredson Hansen) that she knows that "God's choicest blessings are often poured out to those who are sorely tried."  I love that.  It's so true.  God's waiting to give the best blessing to those that endure and make it through those rough trials. 

Also, I was reading Ann Cannon's history, who is like my great grandmother time 5 or 6.  I remember hearing stories of her as I was growing up, but I was able to find a personal history that she wrote and read that.  Her experiences in Nauvoo during the time of Joseph Smith are so cool.  And wrote about the conversion of her family when she was little, as well.  She talked a little about her dad. George Cannon who had said about the Book of Mormon, "A bad man could not write it and a good man dared not unless he was inspired."  Such a good quote! And so true.  I loved that so much that I shared it with Hermana Juarez.  When I did, she was so surprised.  She said she had grown up hearing that quote.  Like apparently it's pretty famous? So that's cool.  

Families are cool.  And so is family history work. I'm loving learning more about my family.  It's pretty tight. 

Also, earlier this week, we stopped at the end of a street to figure out where the house we were trying to get to was.  While we were stopped I got out and found this cool bush of flowers.  The sun was setting right then, so the view of these flowers and the clouds was so pretty, especially since there were no building in the way of the view. It made me think of the scripture St. Luke 12:27-31, "Consider the Lilies," which is what this blog is titled after. The scripture talks about how God takes care of the lilies of the field, and he will take care of us the same.  It's such a good scripture, and I know it's true.  The Lord is looking out for us.  Each and every one of us.  And He wants the best for us.  He knows what he's doing up there, and I have a testimony that he gives us the experiences we need in order to help us in the future. 

Sending lots of love,

Hermana Horne

Best doughnut ever!  At the ward activity at Lake Elsinore.

Lake Elsinore ward activity

With Daniella at the Lake Elsinore ward activity.

"Driving to Dora's house is like an African Safari!"

California is on fire. Literally. And figuratively.

9/15/14

There was a big fire in Corona, just north of us, a couple days ago and there was so much smoke and ash in the air.  There were points when it looked like it was lightly snowing because of all the ash. And the work is on fire here as well! We had two baptisms in less than a week (Roxana and Ruben).  We had Ruben's baptism on Saturday, which was awesome! And he was confirmed at church yesterday.  After church yesterday he was SO happy! It's so incredible seeing how happy the gospel can make you and the joy that it brings. It truly is a gospel of happiness. 

In other news, I was reading this month's Ensign last night and there is an article in it by Elder Robert C. Gay entitled "Your Journey of Giving." It's a stellar article soooo everyone should read it.  Here's the link so you have no excuses not to: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/09/your-journey-of-giving?lang=eng 

In it he talked a little bit about an address that Mother Teresa gave at Harvard in which she said, "Everyone- not just some fortunate few in the audience that day but even those in the poorest regions of the world with little to their names- has something to give, if nothing more than sacrifice and pure love for others."

I LOVE that.  We have no excuse for not giving to others.  And the easiest way to give is by showing love to others! One of the best ways to show that love is by sharing the gospel with them, since the gospel really does bring so much joy.  We are fortunate enough to have this message of happiness, don't we want others to be able to have it too? And you don't have to serve a full-time mission to share the gospel! Missionaries are dependent on members. Talk to your friends and neighbors! 

But there are so many other ways to show that love as well, so we need to be actively seeking opportunities to give of ourselves. And through that service and giving, we'll find joy. 

Anyways, I'm loving it out here more and more each day.  

Sending love from the state that's always on fire, 

Hermana Horne 

Rueben's Baptism - the first person McKayla committed to baptism

and taught all the way through!

Lake Elsinore

Lake Elsinore

Hermana Juarez and Hermana Horne in Lake Elsinore, CA

The Things of Most Worth

9/8/14

McKayla's First Baptism! Roxana, and all the missionaries who helped teach her.

Roxana's Baptism - w Hermana Juarez and Hermana Horne!

Roxana's Baptism

McKayla's cool red mission car!

Exchanges with Hermana Durlong.

Thinking of Mom staring at the same great moon.  Awww :)

9/8/14

AHHHH! Roxana got baptized last night! Ah it was the greatest thing! She had been pretty sick all week but she told us Saturday night that nothing was going to stop her from getting baptized. She is awesome.  She was so happy at her baptism. We could tell she was a little nervous, though, but as soon as she came up from the water she had a HUGE smile on her face. Oh it was great. What a good feeling.  

Right before her baptism I had been studying my scriptures and I came across D&C 15:6 which says, "And now, behold, I say unto you, the thing which will be of most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen." What a good scripture.  I love it.  And let me tell you, IT IS SO WORTH IT. All of it... being away from family and friends, the exhaustion, crazy days, all of it is so worth it, just to be able to see the joy the gospel brings to people's lives. I'm so glad I'm here.

We have another investigator, Ruben who is set to get baptized next Saturday, so they announced his baptism at church yesterday. The Stake President was there and spoke at the end, and during his talk he spoke directly to Ruben and told him how great his decision to be baptized was and that he he'll be able to go to the temple someday soon (which is something that Ruben has already asked if he could do... he's so awesome).  Ruben doesn't show a ton of emotion, but when the Stake President was saying that he looked so happy.  It was awesome.  We're so excited for him. 

On a different note, we were at our investigator, Mario's, house the other day and I commented on how I really liked a painting on one of his cabinets.  He said he had done it himself and took us out to the garage and showed us another one and I was basically gawking at it, so he told me I could take it. I was so stoked! He sells these, and granted, it's more of a hobby for him, but still it was super nice of him. So now we have an original Mario Medrano in our room! 

Another cool thing happened earlier this week.  We were talking to people in a parking lot (because we don't go tracting, so this is kind of a substitute for that) and I went up and started talking to a guy who was sitting in his car.  At first he was very non-receptive.  He said he didn't believe in organized religion.  His faith in Christ was just between him and God, which I totally respect. So normally I would have just given him our card and told him to give us a call if he needed anything or knew anyone who would be interested.  But I felt like I shouldn't do that, I needed to talk to him a little more.  So with talking to him I found out that he hated that ministers and pastors get paid for what they do with the offering money that the congregation donates.  I told him about how our church is 100% service paid.  No one gets paid for what they do.  He really liked that. A little bit later he asked me what the difference was between the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  So I told him about it and that in the Bible it says "other sheep I have which are not of this fold" (John 10:16). He agreed and said that it totally makes sense that Jesus wouldn't just visit SOME people on the Earth, he'd want to teach the rest of them too.  So he agreed to have the missionaries come over and talk to him more.  It won't be us teaching him, because he was English-speaking, but it was a really cool experience.  His heart was softened right before my eyes, within a matter of minutes.  It was awesome.

So it's been a good week! I hope everyone at home is doing well:) 

Con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Horne

"It's true. It has to be. It just makes sense."

9/1/14

This week was super good! On Monday night one of our investigators, Roxana, told us she wants to get baptized as soon as possible! She had been waiting on some other things to happen before she could get baptized, but she said some sincere prayers and things worked out, so now she's getting baptized THIS SUNDAY! We are stoked! She is so great, and so ready for this! 

Also, we have two other investigators, Ruben and Enoc, who are both set to get baptized the 14th of this month. It is so awesome! All of our investigators are really great.

Earlier this week I asked Ruben if he thinks the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet and his response was great.  He said, "It has to be.  It just makes sense."  So simple, but SO TRUE.  This gospel, it's teachings, the Book of Mormon all just MAKE SO MUCH SENSE. So why wouldn't it be true? I know it is, and that's why I love what I'm doing out here so much. 

Anyway, this was another short email, but things are good here! I love it more and more every day. One thing that I've really come to love while being out here is reading the Book of Mormon, because I've started to really pay attention to the stories in it.  They're so great and so interesting! So my advice to all those reading this email is to not just read the Book of Mormon to read, but read it to understand and to enjoy the stories.  I promise you will get so much more out of it, and you'll really enjoy it! 

Con mucho amor, 

Hermana Horne

17 Points

8/25/14

So this week was pretty good! I love our investigators! One of them, Ruben, pulled out a list he had made while he was reading the Book of Mormon that had all the people who he had read about so far (like Lehi, Nephi, Laman, Lemuel) and what they had done.  Then he asked us to read some of it with him so that he could be sure he was understanding it all.  He is so great! 

Then another one of our investigators, Roxanna, hasn't been baptized yet (only because she's waiting on her boyfriend to get baptized too) but she asked us the other day if she was allowed to pay tithing, even if she wasn't baptized yet.  And then she paid it on Sunday! Her faith is incredible, I love her.  Another one of our investigators I can tell feels that our church is true, but I think he's afraid to REALLY find out because he knows when he does, he'll have to make some lifestyle changes.  But he's great. Very spiritual. 

And all the recent converts are incredible as well.  The people here are so awesome!  Sorry for the short email this week.  But the church is true! There is not a doubt in my mind.  This is 100% the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth today.  The only church with the power and authority of God by way of the priesthood.  I'm so grateful to be a part of it, and so grateful for the knowledge and blessings it has brought to my life.  

Yesterday, Hermana Juarez and I were listening to a talk called "17 Points of the True Church" by someone named Floyd, or something like that. GOOGLE IT. If he mentions taking a class from Einstein in it, you'll know you've found the right talk. It's incredible.  He wasn't a member, but him and his friends searched the scriptures and found 17 points that would make up the true church of Christ.  They went to many different churches and none of them had all these points.... Until he came across the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It has EVERY SINGLE POINT.  So obviously, he was converted.  THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. I love it. 

Anyways, have a great week! 

Mucho amor,

Hermana Horne

Here is the story McKayla was talking about:

Story:  Seventeen Points of the True Church

by Floyd Weston

A remarkable story about finding the true church.

     I had an experience as a young man that I shall never forget. At college one day, some friends and I heard that Albert Einstein, the great scientist, was speaking to a faculty group. We attended the lecture and enjoyed his remarks very much. However, I didn't comprehend everything he said, but I did understand his concluding remark.

     He said, "Gentlemen, the deeper that I delve into the sciences of this universe, the more clearly I believe that one God or force or influence has organized all of it for our discovery."

     We walked quietly back to the dormitory and commenced discussing religion. There were five of us. Four of us belonged to different religions, and one was a professed atheist. One of the group was a brilliant fellow named Jim. He had a photographic mind. He could take a book, read the words on a page, close the book, and recite verbatim what he had read.

     When we started to discuss religion as a result of having heard Dr. Einstein’s remarks, Jim when to the drawer of the dormitory and he took out a Bible.  Then he went into the hallway where he found a large chalkboard and maneuvered it into our room. Next, he took the Bible and went through it page by page. He was convinced that our Heavenly Father was and Is a just God. He was convinced that in some of the 800 or so different beliefs and sects listed in the almanac that one represented the truth and the whole truth. He took a page of the Bible at a time and went to work on this chalkboard. It took him almost eight weeks; he had both sides of the chalkboard filled. Then he asked a secretary to come in, write down the Information, summarize it, and type it on a five-by-seven card. He gave each of us a card and presented a plan to us.  He said, "I have taken from the Bible all the evidences I could locate that would help a person identify the true Church.  I'm convinced that Jesus Christ was sent here to organize his Church, and I believe that it is somewhere on the earth today."

       So every Wednesday night and every Sunday, we went out looking for this Church. We visited the various churches, but none of them had what we were searching for. Some of the points that Jim had written down on our cards were that the true church would accept the scriptures, it would not have a paid ministry; it would have the proper authority from God; and it would claim to be the true church.

          Not long after receiving the card, I decided to check out of school and train to become a paratrooper. While I was train­ing, I had a wonderful experience I will share with you. I kept my five-by-seven card in my footlocker. On Sundays, I would occasionally attend one of the Protestant churches. As I would ride the bus to the outskirts of town to attend the church meetings, I noticed a group of fellows on board that I recognized as being in my class of paratrooper trainees. They would get off and go into a little brownstone church. They were a tremendous group.  I never saw any of them with a cigarette in his mouth.  I never heard a foul or obscene word or suggestive story from any of them. As I looked over their records, I noticed that they were all from the West. They were always laughing, having a tremendous time, and everyone liked them. 

        They had one young fellow, a little short farm boy from Utah, who seemed to be their leader.  I was talking with him one day just as he was preparing to jump from their plane.  There had been a rather serious accident that morning with one of the trainees and I asked this farm boy how he felt about it.

"Oh, I don't mind," he said. "I know the answers to the three questions."

I thought, What's he talking about? I said, "What ques­tions?"

And he said, "Unless you can answer three questions before you leave the earth, in great measure you have wasted your life."

About that time, the red light came on, and the little buzzer started sounding. I had to get ready to send him on his jump. All the time, I was wondering what on earth he was talking about.

The next evening I found out where he lived. As I walked into the barracks, he saw me coming and passed the word around. He was shining his boots. I walked up and said, "Hey, listen."

And he said, "What is it, Sarge?"

I said, "Tell me, what are these three questions?"

"Oh, don't you know? Well, number one, where did you come from before you came to earth?"

I thought, How silly can you be!

"Number two, why are you here? And number three, where are you going after you leave here?"

I said, "Anyone can answer. Wait a minute. I don't know. I don't know!"

     Subsequently, I had other conversations with this young man and his companions. I had my five-by-seven card, and I asked them all the questions. As I progressed down through all the classifications of the true church, my heart beat hard­er. The church described by these men agreed with every sin­gle point on the card. I came to know for a surety that they were teaching me the truth and I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A while later, I went through California on a furlough.  The Church was having a conference at a stake center.  As I walked in, I saw an Air Force captain.  I looked again.   It was Jim.  He said, “What are you doing here?”

         I said, “Well, this is my church too!"

     The thing I want to tell you is that all four of us who were left (one was killed in the war) armed with our five-by-seven cards found the same church. There might be some who would call this coincidental, but I know it wasn't.

     While I was investigating the church, the young trainees pointed out from the scriptures that there would be another record that would be joined with the Bible. They showed me this other record.

     I learned that gaining an understanding of the gospel was not a problem, only a process. The trainees said, "Don't take our word for it," when they handed me the new record, The Book of Mormon. They showed me a verse of scripture I will never forget: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true. and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moron] 10:4).

     This impressed me. I didn't have to take anybody's word for it.  I asked, and I received an answer.  I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ.  I testify to you that the gospel is here upon the earth.  I was looking for a church that had apostles, teachers, deacons and prophets. I found it. There's only one Church on the earth that has a Quorum of Twelve Apostles and that follows the Bible.  I bear you my testimony that it is the truth and will bring you joy and that you will be able to bring this joy to other men. If you accept this truth, your entire family and posterity will rise up and call you blessed. I bear my testimony to you in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

The Seventeen Points of the true Church written on the 3X5 cards are listed below.

1. Will recognize the Holy Trinity as separate Persons.

        A. Will Know the identity of God (Father), Jesus Christ (Son) and the Holy Ghost (Spirit).

  B. Jesus Christ will be recognized as Head of the Church.

2. Will accept the Holy Bible in its entirety of which some parts of the record are missing.

3. Will contain the same offices.

A. Twelve apostles are mandatory.

B. Prophets, teachers, elders, evangelists, bishops, deacons, high priests, saints.

4. Officers will be "Called of God."

A.    College degree or license insufficient.

B.    Royal Priesthood.

C.    Can be married.

5. Will have an unpaid Ministry.

6. Members will be workers in the Church. Women included in activities.

7. Baptism will be mandatory.

A.      Probably by immersion.

B.    Must be authorized.

8. Will believe in the Virgin Birth.

9. Will believe in literal resurrection.

10. Will honor Sunday as the Sabbath.

11. Will receive continuous revelation.

12. Will be payer of tithes.

13. Will partake of the Sacrament of the Lord.

14. Will believe in immortality and a heaven and a hell.

15. Will have miraculous occurrences, healings, visions, tongues, prophecies.

16. Will teach that Jesus Christ will come again.

17. Will be persecuted for beliefs.     

Source:  Weston, Floyd, Seventeen Evidences of the True Church, audio tape by Covenant Communications, Inc., American Fork, Utah, 1996    

Blanquita!

8-18-14

This has been such an awesome week! I love California and I love missionary work! On the plane ride up here from Mexico I had the opportunity to give someone a Book of Mormon.  His name is Miguel and he's a junior in high school. He looked a little rougher around the edges, had a tattoo on his face and whatnot.  But I started talking to him and he was super cool.  So I just got to know him before we took off and then during the flight we both just slept. But as the plane was descending I got the feeling that I should give him a Book of Mormon.  That's kind of a nerve-racking thing, so I prayed that if it was right, I'd be given an opportunity to give him one.  As the plane landed I asked him if he had a connecting flight and he said yes, to San Francisco, but he had a 4 hour layover.  When I asked him if he had anything to do for the layover he said no, he'd probably just walk around.  MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED.... perfect way for me to lead in to the BOM... so I told him I had something for him to do, gave him a Book of Mormon and bore my testimony of it.  It was great.  

This week I have seen a lot of tender mercies and little blessings along the way.  That was definitely one of them.  Alma 48:11-12 talks about how recognizing blessings is an attribute of a great man, which I think is so true.  So here is a shortened list of my tender mercies this week:

-One of the pieces of my luggage was lost, but I had been prompted to switch things I needed to the suitcase that made it to me the night before my flight

-My first area is Lake Elsinore, which is where our family looked at houses, and is one of the few areas I've heard of 

-My trainer is awesome! I was so worried I wouldn't like my trainer but she is so great!

-We're living in a homeshare (a ward member's house) which I was afraid that I wouldn't like, but it's awesome! It's super homey and nice and Sister Palmer makes homemade bread that is delicious!

-I got a blessing right before I left the MTC and it was so great! It's been such a comfort

-A ton of people have told me that I have a really good accent (which is basically to say no accent at all) when I speak Spanish.  That is so nice! 

-We have a TON of investigators! I was not expecting that. It's so awesome! I feel so blessed.

-The California Riverside Mission is the perfect place for me! There are a ton of Spanish-speaking people here, but some speak English as well, which is nice so that I don't feel totally helpless right now, when I don't know a ton of Spanish.

Because we're teaching all Hispanics, a lot of times I feel super out of place. I'm pretty much always the only tall, blonde, white girl in the house or wherever we're teaching.  Not to mention, I get so lost when a lot of the investigators talk because their Spanish is hard to understand. Hence the title "Blanquita" or "Little Whitie".  Although, I don't know that "little" fits since I'm so tall compared to all these people! But I love it.  I love all of them.  

There's one family that I've totally fallen in love with.  They're recent converts and their last name is Arizmendi.  They had a pretty sketchy past.  Valerie, the mom, was basically born and raised in a gang family, and most of her family is still part of that gang.  When she was younger she was actually shot in the face.  She was also hit by a truck, which has left her with some lasting side-effects, one of which is pretty intense pain on occasions. She was telling us last night that she was in pain when she woke up that morning, but she knew that if she went to church it would help her feel better.  She would do anything in her power to get to church on Sundays.  Sometimes she's in so much pain that she can't even walk, but she will still go to church.  And she went to church yesterday and started feeling better! But her faith is incredible.  This family also doesn't have a lot, but they are so generous! Every time I've been over there they've offered me something to eat or drink, they fed us dinner last night, and they're feeding us again on Friday.  They're great.  And the husband, Amador, said the closing prayer for us last night and it was one of the most sincere, powerful prayers I've ever heard.  I didn't understand all of it, because it was in Spanish, but the Spirit I felt from it was overwhelming.  I almost started crying.  I love them.  

I also committed someone to baptism this week! His name is Ruben, and he committed to the date of September 14th.  So hopefully that one follows through! That was cool for me, because a lot of the investigators we're teaching now are already halfway through taking the missionary discussions and are already committed to baptism, which is great, but it's cool to be teaching someone from the beginning. 

Also, sometimes it feels like Mexico here.  We were teaching a recent convert, Jesus, in his home one day, and it literally felt like Mexico.  It was super hot in the house, there were a ton of flies, the house was kind of beat us, outside the window looked like Mexico, and was speaking very Mexican Spanish.  Even though I didn't understand a ton, I loved it.  

I love it here! Missions are awesome. The church is true!

Have a good week! 

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Horne

P.S. When I was in the CCM I found a picture of grandma Horne's brother, Toney Bentley in the main reception building, because he was once a President of the CCM down there. So cool! 

Sticker Life!

Handstands!

Handstands!

California Bound!  Just 1 more week!

Mexico outfit

Florida Peeps

Favorite Instructor

With MJ Boud, friend from BYU

Mexico

Mexico