I will GO and DO.

Hi, hi, hi! Helloooo everyone!

This week was full of craziness and emotions.

On Tuesday morning, we found out that our car was recalled. Grrrrrreat. So we had to take it in to the dealership and have them check it out. Apparently more than 50% of the new mission vehicles has to be taken back because of flaws. So we were SO grateful when ours was okay. But we spent most of the day sitting in the dealership. We met several members who worked there- and that's who sent you the pictures. :) We had to drive into Meridian to take the car there and BOY OH BOY was that the scariest thing ever. After driving in Kuna for the past 2-3 months (country roads, no cars.... ever), driving on the busy "city" streets was the scariest thing of my life. Especially when you're in a mission vehicle AND you're driving right behind Elder Short (the senior missionary in charge of mission vehicles). If you knew Elder Short, you'd know that that is a veryyyyy scary experience. But we also went through a car wash- that's as fun as it gets as a missionary. The next best thing to an amusement park. haha!

My companions are... struggling. I never realized how much home sickness can hit someone. I'm so glad that my parents prepared me for the time when I would leave home. Yes, it's hard. But moments like these (being on a mission) allow you the great opportunity of turning to the Savior for strength and comfort. Missions aren't meant to torture you. They're meant to help you come closer to the Savior and, through you, allow others to do the same.

Okay... My life Thursday through Sunday: 
I was worried that I wouldn't be able to tell you about what I was doing, but I received permission from President and his wife. And I probably won't write a lot again this week... this experience was (for lack of a better word) traumatic for me. But I grew a lot- and that's why I'm sharing it.

On Thursday morning at about 7:45 a.m., I got a call from President Cannon. He told me that he needed me to go to Nampa and that, when I got there, I would meet my new companion. But first, I needed to report to the mission home and get filled in on the situation. I was being emergency transferred.

"Okay President. I'll pack up and be there in an hour."

I got to the mission home and Sister Cannon greeted me. She told me about my new companion. 

"This Sister is mentally ill. This Sister has extreme depression and anxiety. She is severely bi-polar and can change at the snap of your fingers. She has a personality disorder. She is ADD. She has had history of throwing things at her companions and that I needed to watch for any behavior that may cause her, or myself, any harm. She is irrational and unstable. Will you be able to do this?"

Of course, I accepted. That's what I had been taught to do by my parents. I had hope that I could fulfill this assignment. Sister Cannon then explained that she would be going home in 10 days and it was my job to watch over her until her departure date. Easy enough. I was given permission to stay home when needed, to go out to lunch or frozen yogurt as rewards for the Sisters good behavior, and to call President at any given time that I thought that I was in harms way.

I was only there until Sunday and then I asked to return to my own area. I'm sorry to say this, but I gave up. I couldn't handle it anymore. I think it was a good thing though- I knew when I couldn't handle any more. *Sister Cannon says Hello, by the way* 

I was having a really difficult time. This was the lowest I had ever been on my mission. I couldn't feel the spirit. I didn't feel safe. I felt completely and hopelessly alone. There were some nights when I couldn't sleep and I spent the night praying for Heavenly Father to place a shield around me, to comfort me and keep me safe (emotionally and physically). I wasn't allowed to keep any food in the apartment. I had to take on a lot of verbal abuse- constantly. And I couldn't say a thing because I knew that I wouldn't win. I couldn't talk to ward members. I was really just... there. 

On a good day, I took this Sister out to lunch. I had been praying that Heavenly Father would give me strength to finish this assignment. I had felt his love and comfort- but I needed more help. And, that day, my prayers were answered through a fortune cookie. I know it's a little silly. But after we finished eating, I opened up my fortune cookie and read: "Don't underestimate yourself. Your social skills are needed by others at this time." Wow. Okay, like I said, this is silly. But I think that Heavenly Father knew that I needed a lot of extra help that day to just make it through.  It helped me to not stay angry when this Sister rejected my suggestions, almost broke my glasses, wouldn't let me teach people, or would offend ward members. It helped me to remember that I had something to offer. It helped me be patient and kind. It helped me to serve, because it's my duty as a Daughter of God, and because I had a desire to.

There were a lot of bad moments, but there were also good ones as well. There were moments when this Sisters true personality would shine through- and I had the opportunity to see her happy and talk with her about how she was feeling. She had a strong testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She knew that through His atonement she would be made perfect one day. She made me an owl made of wire- it was beautiful! She would thank me for being there and helping her. She would talk about her experiences as a missionary and the blessings that she had felt in her life. She even sat down and taught ME all of the missionary discussions. She was a great missionary.

I got a call the night that I left her area that said that this Sister would be returning home earlier than planned. I am so grateful that she has the chance to return home and to get help for these problems.

Through this experience, although I am still healing from it, I have learned so many valuable lessons. I have learned gratitude. I have learned trust. I am so grateful for our loving Heavenly Father. He watches over us and protects us. He provided for us a Savior, Jesus Christ. Through His atonement, we are all able to become perfect and return to Him one day. I am forever grateful for that. 

I can do all things through God, who strengthens me.

Sending everyone my love,
Sister Gubler

This week I had some time to reflect on my progress as a missionary

Hello all.

I'm sorry, but my letter this week will probably be shorter. I'm having a brain fail moment and I can't think of what to write about! Not too many exciting things were happening this week apparently. Those Q and A's would help out a lot with my letter writing. haha!

Mom, I got your package! Thank you so much! Sorry, it got to me last week and I forgot to write about it. Oops! :/ But thank you so much! I enjoyed it- as did my companions. We're not going to touch the chocolate until Easter. haha! But I really did enjoy reading of your testimony and your conversion story. Amazing!

Yep. You saw it. We have been given the great privilege of being on Facebook for 1 week- for the purpose of sharing the gospel and promoting the #BecauseOfHim Easter video that the church has created. I'm grateful for the time to be able to share the wonderful message of Easter and bear my testimony to everyone!
But after being on Facebook for 10 minutes... Yeah. Boring. I was done. haha. I'm not much of a fan anymore.

Okay, so, those that know me know that I do NOT care for animals. They're okay from a distance- I love the zoo. But I do not wish to touch them or have them near me. I just don't have that desire.... And THAT, my friends, is why the Lord sent me to Kuna, Idaho on my mission.
This week I have had the opportunity to: pet a peacock, a goat, a horse, hold a bunny, hold a new born puppy,

 help feed chickens, pet a cow, feed sheep, hold a 2 day old baby lamb, have millions of dogs sit on my lap... etc, etc, etc. And each time one of these occurrences happens, I care less and less about getting animal hair on me or catching one of their "diseases". Maybe that's why I was called to serve here? haha!

Missionary life is great- in the fact that Sisters are always doing clothing exchanges and members are always willing to give us free haircuts. Hence why in a lot of my pictures, you'll see that I'm wearing something new! haha. I PROMISE I'm not spending all of your precious tithing funds on clothes and hair cuts. :) But I do find that, as a missionary, even though we have a certain amount of money each month to spend, I don't spend anything! Maybe it's the college student inside of me... I'm so used to being poor. haha! But I never spend money... so all of the money that I DON'T use is being sent back to help the less fortunate missionaries in other parts of the world. Look at me! I'm helping others!

A family in the ward let us ride on their zip line that they have in the backyard! Sooo much fun. Especially since my companions haven't even been on one and they were terrified- but willing- to ride on it. Funniest thing to watch. :) I think I have pictures. :)

This week I had some time to reflect on my progress as a missionary. We went out to lunch with Sister Minert this week (we live with her) and I couldn't help but reflect back to my first day here in the field... Sister Minert had taken Sister Happy and I out to lunch at Panda Express. I remember saving the table while her and Sister Happy got in line for food. I remember having the overwhelming emotions running through me, and PRAYING that no one would talk to me while I was there. I didn't know what I would say! I didn't know how to talk about the church to people! I felt like I was going to cry and I wanted to run back home to my family....
But now... Here I was... out to lunch at a Mexican restaurant after 2 months of being a missionary. Still not very long. But I felt calm. I felt confident in my testimony of the gospel and of my Savior. Instead of hiding in fear, I PRAYED that someone WOULD talk to me about the gospel while I was there. The day before, I had approached a man by pulling up past his "No Trespassing" sign, walking across his lawn, and greeting him with a firm, fearless handshake! I had made so much progress! I couldn't help but say a silent prayer while sitting there in that Mexican restaurant to thank the Lord for helping me through this time in my life.

Another note of news: I was asked to sing again in church on Easter Sunday. I'll be singing "Consider the Lilies". :)

I hope that everyone is doing well. I love and appreciate you all and I thank you SO SO SO much for your letters and your emails. They really keep a missionary going. Some days are really rough... but when you come home to a letter, you remember how many people are supporting you and that you aren't alone. So, thank you. Love you all.

--Sister Molly Gubler

Photos:

Us doing service... Yeah, my head is barely popping out of the back of the picture. haha

We went tracting and met a guy that was selling peacocks! Albinos and the normal kind. Sister Keyser was kind enough to send her pictures to me... Since I'm lazy and always forget my camera. Plus, I was talking to the guy. So I was busy. :)

Every missionary has to have comp car pictures!

I got some new cute shoes! Aaaaand a skirt and a sweater. :) don't worry- Sisters were giving away the clothes. But I bought the shoes. :)

"Christlike" Love is all you need!

*April 7, 2014:

Greetings one and all,

I don't know if I told you details on my new companion, Sister Keyser! 

She's joined Sister Happy and I here in Kuna, we'll be here for at least 5 more weeks together (until May 11th). She's from Orlando, Florida- the land of the Happiest Place on Earth. She's been out in the mission for 5 months- and served in La Grande, Oregon for that entire time. She is such a breath of fresh air! She constantly reminds me to have fun and relax- which, all my friends know, is sometimes hard for me to do. I think I'm too much of a go-getter. Sister Keyser fits right into our little team. We're taking Kuna by storm!

We also got a car- a 2014 Chevy Cruiser. 

So nice. Riding in style. It's felt awesome to be able to drive again. The car has the ability for you to drive it with a stick shift or on automatic... yeah, I didn't know that. So I drove it on manual for the first few days. That was interesting. But I finally figured it out! haha. We've DOUBLED our numbers and our productivity since getting the car. It's been such a blessing.

Monday night we had FHE with the Perrin family. (That's who sent you the picture, Mom.) It was a BLAST. 

We'd played a game where you go around the room and each person has to answer a gospel question. If you get it wrong, you have 30 seconds to run outside and make a basket from the free-throw line and run back to sit in your chair. If you didn't make it in time, you'd get a point. The person with the most points at the end had to clean the kitchen! haha. It was the best. But 3 of the boys ended in a tie. So they pulled out the classic Perrin family tie-breaker- DANCE OFF! It was so hilarious watching these young teenage boys dance. They tried to get me to dance too- luckily I'm a missionary and can't! haha. Gotta love it. I want my family to have that kind of relationship. :)

Tuesday night we visited an older widowed woman in the ward and helped her decorate her house for Easter. She has about 10 TUBS of "Ty" beanie babies for EACH MONTH. What?! That's worth a lot of money! But while we helped her set those up around her house, I discovered engravings on some of her wooden furniture. After asking her about it, she showed me each piece in her home and explained that her husband made her everything in the house. And when he would make something, the finishing touch would be a little love note to her engraved in the wood. CUTE! I almost started tearing up- yep, that's right- the two of us almost had a cry session together. It was so sweet! After she showed us the furniture, she showed me a HUGE ORGAN that she has in her home! And so we played it together, and laughed at how bad each of us was. Such a good bonding experience.

This week we did a service project for one of the lady's in our ward. She is amazing and she was SO excited that we came over to help her. I think she said "HOT DOG!" about 50 times when we were there. haha. Cute. Her husband is working in Texas for the year, so we went over to help her in her yard. Yeah, I don't know if you've been in Kuna before. But people in Kuna don't have "yards" like you'd see in a neighborhood. We're talking... several acres. A LOT OF YARD. But we trimmed her rose bushes (if roses are the flower of love, then love hurts- bad) and also totally cleared out the ditch in front of her house. I came up with the "smart" idea of vacuuming all of the leaves out of the rose bushes- we couldn't seem to grab them out without cutting our hands off. But, HEY!, it worked! :) And the ditch in front of her house took us 2 days to complete. Well, technically 1 day... since we spent half a day each day. But my entire body is so sore from that amazing experience. What a workout! 

We had another visit with Grandpa Welker! He said something really amazing that's been on my mind a lot lately: "Of you don't have time to do it RIGHT, when will you have the time to do it OVER?" 

On Sunday night, we actually had 2 dinner appointments. Double the food. I thought I was going to DIE. And then, at the end of the night, we ended up going home with 3 bags of cookies. That's missionary life for ya. 

We met with Danny and Jackie again last night! They both committed to baptism on May 11th! Danny is SO EXCITED! He was even like, "This is going to be my Mother's Day present to you, Mom! You should get baptized with me!" And so his mom agreed to baptism as well- not just because of what he said, but that gave her a push to act on how she's been feeling about the gospel. :) Yay! Go baptisms!

Oh yes! Now for my favorite thing to talk about- GENERAL CONFERENCE!
Kassi and Andy both attended conference in Salt Lake on Saturday. Yay! They loved it. :)

I received a picture of Kassi at conference! :)

I got SO MUCH out of conference. I thought that it didn't last long enough though. I could have gone for about 10 more sessions. The church pew was super comfortable. :) I loved the messages about Christlike love and service, as well as the messages about having the faith to defend your faith and obey the Spirit. Here are just a point or two that I got out of each talk- you don't have to put these on the blog, you can just read them:

Jeffrey R. Holland: Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet. Love, flowing from righteousness, can change the world. (I also loved his talk because, it's true, missionaries DO shed many tears for those who do not accept the gospel.)

Ronald A. Rasband: Reaching out to rescue souls is an eternal symbol of love.

Carlos H. Amado: Even at the end of His life, Christ still forgave and was thinking of others.

Linda S. Reeves: The best filter is the testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Prayer, scripture study, church, and FHE are the very things that will take about stress and worry.

Neil L. Anderson: Trees that grow in a windy environment grow to be stronger. Find strength through: prophet, temple, Book of Mormon. Everyone deserves love.

Henry B. Eyring: There is always a chance, even for the most struggling people, to come home. Never force righteousness, for righteousness much be chosen. "If you let Him be the leader of your family, things will work out."

Russell M. Nelson: Be your full self, all the time. Be careful of sayings like, "be on my best behavior". Increase your faith, proclaim your faith, let your faith show.

Richard G. Scott: Share your love, trust, and your knowledge of the truth. He shared a lot of great missionary tools for sharing the gospel!

Robert D. Hales: Obedience makes us progressively stronger. Obedience is motivated by pure love for Heavenly Father.

Claudio D. Zivic: Always check and make sure that you are on the right path. If not, repent and turn back to the right way.

W. Craig Zwick: We need to practice Christlike communication. Practice asking, "What are you thinking?" and then listen so you can understand. We can minister grace through cultivated language.

Quentin L. Cook: Family should be at the top of our priority list. We need to be connect to both our roots and our branches.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Endings seem impossible to us because we are made of the stuff of eternity. Endings are not existing- only everlasting beginnings. Have gratitude IN not just AFTER.

M. Russell Ballard: Follow up! If we follow up, the Lord will NOT let us down. Invite and follow up with trust and faith.

Jean A. Stevens:The gospel is not weight- it is wings. The Lord has power to deliver us- through our faith.

Gary E. Stevenson: What do I need to do next in order to make it to the metal stand? You are an eternal being, and this life is YOUR 4 minutes.

David A. Bednar: Is the load I'm carrying creating sufficient spiritual traction? The Lord strengthens us, he doesn't take our burdens away. Study the Atonement as you assess your load.

Thomas S. Monson: We cannot fully love God if we do not love others, and we cannot fully love others if we do not love God. Each person has the power within themselves to increase the level of love and kindness in the world. 

Boyd K. Packer: We can all have a self discovery of eternal truths.

William R. Walker: Live true to the faith that our parents have cherished. Honor the legacy of your righteous ancestors.

L. Tom Perry: Always be ready to receive that gentle tub from the spirit. Then be willing to completely alter your course to fulfill that prompting.

Lawrence E. Corbridge: Whenever there are good things, there will always be opposition.

Michael John U. Teh: Trials in life help us to refocus our priorities. Have treasures in heaven.

Marcos A. Aidukaitis (awesome accent!): Faith requires work. One must not roam through garbage.

D. Todd Christofferson: In due course, all shall see and all shall know.

I'd love to hear of people's thoughts on conference. There's always something that each of us can get out of it.

--Sister Gubler

A letter from President Cannon

*Note:  This letter arrived after Molly had left the MTC and arrived in Idaho but before we had heard from her about where she was serving.  I recently came across it in my email and  I wanted to include it here on the blog.

Dear Missionary Parents,

How thrilled Sister Cannon and I were to greet your daughter and to welcome her as a full-time missionary in the Idaho Nampa Mission.  What a blessing it will be to our mission to have her serving here at the assigned field of labor.

After arriving at the mission office and conducting a brief orientation of the mission, I had the opportunity of interviewing your daughter in an effort to become better acquainted with her and to feel of her spirit.  As a result of this interview, I felt impressed to assign your daughter, as a companion, to the most obedient, most skilled, and hardest working missionary in the mission.  You can be assured that this companion is one of our mission’s very best.

We are confident that your daughter will have a very positive experience while serving in the Idaho Nampa Mission.  We know she will strengthen her skills, increase her knowledge and testimony of the gospel, and establish an increased measure of love for all of our Heavenly Father’s children she will assist in teaching.

We have attached a picture of your missionary with Sister Cannon and myself and also a picture of her with her trainer, Sister Halaapiapi.

May the Lord’s choicest blessings be with you as you sustain your daughter and pray for her continued welfare.

Faithfully yours,

President Stuart B. Cannon

Idaho Nampa Mission