May 1, 2017

Sister Rasmussen’s Message to the Missionaries:
      It is always such a highlight of our mission when interviews roll around. I can't tell you how much I look forward to sitting down and talking with each of you. When we first arrived here and did the "Meet the President" tour of the mission, I told myself that I would probably never know every missionary. How wrong I was! I do know each of you and look forward to learning more about you and the work in your area during interviews.
      This time it was such a thrill for me to hear of the revelation you had received about God's plan for finding his prepared children in your area and how you were applying that revelation. I look forward to hearing the coming chapters of that incredible story that will lead you to baptize God's prepared. I know that with continued faith and diligence you will see miracle and baptisms as a result of your efforts each day. Please text me of those miracles you see. I love when you share the successes you see in this great era of the hastening of the Lord's work.
      I also loved hearing about your Hark, Mark and Embark reading. I have been blessed with a greater understanding of the Doctrine of Christ and the importance it has been to all people, in all times and in all places. God sends his prophets to teach the same important truths in every dispensation of time. We are blessed to know that it will never be taken from the earth again. We can look forward to seeing many prophecies fulfilled as we take this mighty work of bringing His sons and daughter to a covenant path that leads back to Him. I hope you have seen your faith grow and your understanding of the Book of Mormon expand as you take this challenge and show the Lord your desire to learn more from His holy scriptures each day.

The following Missionaries have Birthdays this month:

2 May  Sister Iris Stevenson           19 May  Elder Scott Scheidell
4 May  Elder Zachary Stoker          21 May  Elder Cache Lowry
4 May  Elder Joshua Hancock        22 May  Elder Reggie Northrup
5 May  Elder Travis Leavitt            23 May  Sister Lucy Tayco
8 May  Sister Hannah Erickson      27 May  Elder Hooten Fullmer
10 May Elder Barry Stratton           27 May  Sister Christine Johnson
11 May Elder Joel Mason                30 May  Elder Walker Riley

Missionary Moments:

Subject: Dan Scoville Baptism Week! (and Auburn Day of Service with the Zone)

     This week was amazing and not one that I will soon forget. Brother Dan Scoville was baptized on the 22nd and confirmed on the 23rd! It has been a long and stressful journey for sure but I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Lord has given for me to be a part of his life. We first met him amount 3 months ago when we approached him outside while he was working on his car and have taught him and grown to love him a lot. It is amazing also how much I have learned and my testimony has grown as we served him and got to know him. Brother Hanson in the ward baptized him and I was given the opportunity to confirm him yesterday. At the baptism the Spirit was so strong it was a tangible feeling and I felt such a pure joy the whole night. Elder Thibaudeau sang "Come Thou Fount" and I was reminded of how grateful I am that the Lord offered himself to rescue me from the path I was on and helped me to be where I was sitting that night and where I am at now in my life. I am grateful that he doesn't give up on us and I know he will never give up on me or anyone. We taught the Restoration of the Gospel at the baptism and I could feel the power of the message stronger than ever. The word that has always stood out to me has been Restoration but lately the word that stands out to me is Gospel. It is his gospel that matters. That is what was restored and by living it, that is how we find real joy. I have seen in my life that it is a formula that always works. and it worked for Dan. On Sunday after he was confirmed he bore his testimony of that. He said that after learning about the Gospel in its fullness that sorrow that he had not known how to deal with became Godly sorrow. It was and is the same for me. I have never been happier and I know it is because of him. I am very happy in this area I have a great companion and I love this ward a lot. We don't have anyone else on date for baptism yet but hopefully soon! As far as the Confirmation I was very nervous but as always when the moment came the words were there. I'm not entirely sure what was said but I could feel the power of the priesthood and know that they weren't my words. It was pretty nerve racking to stand in a circle with so many great men but I am so grateful for it. I have a lot of emails to write but It was a great week. Dan is a great man and a friend and a new member of the church and God led us to him so his life could be changed my the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it has changed my life. He lives and I love him.

Love, Elder Braiden Clayburn

Elder Clayburn, Brother Scoville and Elder Thibaudeau

Missionary Moments:

Connie Plum was baptized on April 29th and Confirmed the next day. She has an amazing story.

Her daughter was baptized a couple years after marrying her husband who has always been a member.  From that point on Sister Plum was against the church.  Then after 30 years or so something miraculous happened.  She had a stroke.  Her children thought she was going to die so they sold her house along with all her belongings.  But being the fighter that she is she survived.  With nowhere to go, and in too good of health to be in an assisted living place she moved in with her daughter and her family.  A year ago the missionaries came and taught her for the first time.  Apparently it didn't go well.  She bashed with them about the trinity.  Fast Forward to about a month before her baptism.  It was my first lesson with her.  She had spent the past weekend watching general conference and loved it.  She was also reading the Book of Mormon.  She told us she wanted to be baptized and committed that night.  Each lesson after that she taught us.  We would give her a pamphlet or tell her what we would learn the next lesson and she would study.  She would then take 3 to 6 pages of notes on that subject and would teach us what she had learned.  Her heart went from hard to soft.  When you ask her what caused that change she said it was the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon softened her heart and I know it can soften any heart that reads and studies it. 

I know the Book of Mormon is true.  I have seen the Book of Mormon change lives and families.  It has changed mine.   I know Christ lives.  He loves me and knows me.  He knows you too.  I know that there are more Connie Plums in the Washington Federal Way mission who are prepared and ready to accept the gospel.  It may take some time, but they are there.  We need to find them. 

- Elder Mason Cottrell

L to R: Elder Drake, Elder Cottrell, Brother Babbel, Sister Connie Plum, Elder Faulkner, Elder Pinckney

Missionary Moments:

  

 Sister Facer, Brother John Jorgenson and Sister Giles.

(Contributed by Sister Nydegger)
I just wanted to share a special baptism we attended last Saturday.  This is Sister Facer, Brother John Jorgenson and Sister Giles.  John is almost 90 years old.  After being taught by the missionaries about Jesus Christ, and after having several spiritual experiences he decided he wanted to be baptized!
At his baptism, a sister from the ward was giving a talk about the Holy Ghost and John added his testimony several times about how real the Holy Ghost is.  He has had several experiences with promptings from the Holy Ghost that he said are priceless and sacred.  I'm so thankful for worthy, obedient missionaries that serve as a conduit for the Holy Ghost to teach.  It's not the missionaries that convert...it's the Holy Ghost!  I'm thankful for the third member of the Godhead!

Auburn Zone - Day of Service!

Sis. Purvis, Sis. Nebeker, Sis. Arnold, Sis. Rigdon, Sis Gunner, Sis. Lambert, Elder Jeong, Elder Kidwell, Elder Andrew White, Elder Thibaudeau, Elder Ostberg, Elder Clayburn, Elder Christensen, Elder Delp, Elder Sirrine, Elder  Colton White.

Renton Zone - Service in the Rain!

Sis Jay and Sis. Ericson after giving service in the rain!  Sis Jay is in her socks!  They are working hard and doing a good job!  (Contributed by member Sister Carie Ramsey).




"Library time on P-Day"

Sister Giles, Sister Facer, Sister McCrae, Sister Gibson, Elder Cottrell and Elder Pinckney.

Missionaries Departing May 15, 2017:  Sister Kayla Hammond, Sister Elisa Huhem, Sister Emily Zavala, Elder Trevor Pratt, Elder Quarry Sanders, Elder Kevin Sirrine, Elder Trever Thurgood.   (Pictures will be posted after the departing picture at the Seattle Temple is taken - check the June 1 blog post).

Incoming Missionaries May 16, 2017: Sister Alixandria Golden, Sister Jocelyn Watts, Elder Riley Jensen, and Elder Logan Reichow.  Welcome to all of you!!  We are excited to work side by side with you in bringing souls to Christ.  We also want to welcome our new mission nurse - Sister Carolyn Ford-Trudo "Sister Trudo".  We look forward to getting to know her and we're excited to have her here to help us with our health.  (Pictures will be posted in the June blog).

New Missionary Training

L to R: Sister Rigdon, Sister Arnold, Sister Gibson and Sister McCrae  (President Layman in background)

                                               

L to R: Elder Huston, Elder Lloyd, Elder Payne, Elder Johnson, Elder Corbett, Elder Beckstead, Elder Jeong, Elder Ostberg

Renton Zone Meeting

 Elder Jensen, Elder Rudd and Sister Beck

Sister Ericson, Sister Jay.

 Elder Jensen, Elder Rudd

 They practiced teaching young children with these fun ideas.  Cups...built the pyramid as Christ's church when he was here and then knock it down to show the apostasy.  Plan of salvation pictures.  Papers on the floor...doctrine of Christ stepping stones back to God.  Well done, Sisters and Elders!

SNAKE!! 

"Sister Skousen and Sister Tippets were visiting a member in the Renton Stake and as we were leaving he said it was a tradition for missionaries who came to their house to hold his pet.  And we said okay.  Next thing we know, we both got to hold an 18 pound boa constrictor!  CRAZY!  Sister Tippets was terrified!"

April Continued...

Things are a little backed up due to other pressing matters in the mission office - so I'd like to do a little catching up today.

It's time to finally welcome the new missionaries that joined the mission on February 21, 2017.  This picture was put in a safe place, and we were thrilled to find it so we could post it. Good things come to those who wait! We are excited to have you in the Washington Federal Way Mission!  

We've had some change of assignments in the mission office with the last transfers.  We want to thank the Assistant to the President, Elder Rex and our Office Elder, Elder Samuels for all you've done to help make the Washington Federal Way Mission flourish.

Elder Lowry and Elder Rex

Elder Mortensen and Elder Samuels

Our current Assistants to the President, Elder Knight and Elder Lowry

Our current Office Elders, Elder Mortensen and Elder Bollwinkel

Message from Sister Rasmussen:

Hark - Mark - and Embark!

     On April 6th, we started reading the Book of Mormon together as a mission. It is called "The Washington Federal Way Mission Faith Feast...Hark, Mark and Embark".  Our goal is to build our faith as we harken to the word of God, mark our scriptures, and then embark on sharing the doctrine of Christ  with everyone we see.  We hope this will also help us feel more unified as a mission. Each missionary was given a blue Book of Mormon and a set of 12 colored pencils at zone conference.

    We are marking the doctrine of Christ which includes faith, Jesus Christ, the Atonement, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end (3 Nephi 27:13-22).  We read about eight pages a day and will finish it in two transfer cycles or three months. That will be just before our zone conference in June. 

    At interviews last week I had a chance to ask the missionaries how they were enjoying it. Everyone had a positive response. As missionaries, we recite our purpose before all of our zone conferences, mission leadership council's and training meetings. Our purpose as stated in Preach My Gospel is "To help others coming to Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end."  One missionary said, "It seems like the doctrine of Christ is on almost every page!"  They can also include any other topics of special interest to them.

    We would invite you to join with us!

Sharing your experiences as you read with your missionary is a great conversation to have in your weekly emails. Ask them what new things they are learning about Christ's doctrine and how they are able to apply it in their missionary work each day. We encourage you to share these faith promoting experiences with us at cherylrasmussen@hotmail.com and we will post some in the blog. 

Looking back...

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

                                      President Whitney L. Clayton                                                                                                                                                                             Bishop W. Christopher Waddell                                                                                                                                                                         

                           The entire Washington Federal Way Mission with visiting church leaders on October 21, 2016

Sister Rasmussen's reflections on this historic occasion:

Elder Rasband’s visit

We were blessed in October to have Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Whitney L. Clayton of the Seventy and Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric visit our mission October 21st and 22nd.  President and Sister Rasmussen along with the Washington Federal Way Mission stake presidents and their wives, President and Sister Olsen and President and Sister Ogden from the Seattle Temple and Elder and Sister Call (our area seventy from Tacoma) had dinner on Friday evening.  After a wonderful meal, Elder Rasband informally spoke to us and answered questions.  The Spirit was strong and we felt the love of these brethren for us, our missionaries and all the saints in this area.  They did a wonderful job of raising our vision of the work we are all asked to do in these latter days.  

     As missionaries, we had the unique experience of meeting in the Federal Way Stake Center Saturday.  An entire mission meeting together is a rare occasion and we were blessed to experience this.  They wanted to shake the hand of every missionary before the meeting began.  Along with Elder Robert M. Call, they each addressed us and left messages we are still quoting from.  It was one of the greatest days in our mission history.  

     Elder Rasband noted that it was probably the only time in the history of the church that there were five sets of keys in one room at a missionary meeting.  They were held by Elder Rasband, President Clayton, Bishop Waddell, President Nichols (Washington Federal Way Stake President) and President Rasmussen.  

     Here is a synopsis of their messages to our missionaries:

     

Elder Call

Every page of my missionary journal is full of struggles but I only remember the good things.  In looking back in myself journal I realize I had nothing so difficult, nothing so wonderful.  That struggle is natural.   You have a purpose and and message and that is eternal life and joy.

He loves you and trusts you to witness of Him

Sister Call

You are my heroes!  You have come to teach and find His children.  I lost my son just before his 19th birthday.  He came in a dream to me and as dressed just like you and he said, "Let not your heart be troubled."  I know he had another mission.  The Lord loves you and is anxious to bless you.  As we do His will he will bless us.

Bishop Waddell

This is such an unusual meeting.  It is very special.  The Spirit is the instructor so listen and write down impressions and thoughts .  They can be completely different than what we are talking about.  D&C 138 tells how you received lessons before you came to the earth.  He knew you would be here in October 2016.  This is where you are supposed to be.  

Bishop Waddell sits on the missionary executive committee with Elder Oaks, Elder Bednar, Elder Cook etc..  You are where you are supposed to be.  If you weren't you would have been born a few months earlier.  You are supposed to be with President Rasmussen.  Pay attention to him and learn from him.  

I have had a thought:  There is a difference between serving a mission and going on a mission.  All missionaries can say I went on a mission.  Not all can say I served a mission.  Matt 25 teaches us a principle in the parable of the sheep and goats.  You fed and clothed etc. unto the least of these.  When didn't ye do these things?  They were cast when they didn't do these things.  When we serve others we are reaching outward, not inward.  Be able to say, I served, I saw, I blessed, I fed.  I didn't just go.

Don't worry about the weather, the members, the hardships.  It is not easy, but necessary.  Those looking in the mirror aren't serving.  Don’t be thinking I'm tired, think about home, don't let challenges occupy your time.  You are called to serve, not just go.  You should be working and looking forward. That's what the Savior did.  Go out and invite others to come unto Him.  

3 Nephi 17. Who is sick bring them unto Him to heart. You will see the need as you obey, study, pray, open your mouth and are on time in the morning.  Opportunities come as you serve to teach, invite.  Invite others to act.

Moroni 5 - You invite and He heals.

President Clayton

Thank you for your prayers.  

I usually don't share this but I was an attorney, a trial lawyer.  As a trial lawyer you present evidence to prove something.  In criminal cases the burden of proof is without a reasonable doubt.  In civil cases it is a preponderance of evidence.  

As missionaries we baptize people.  The Book of Mormon is evidence to prove things to be true.  D&C 20:8-13. Says the Book of Mormon proves Joseph Smith is a prophet and therefore the church is true.  It is the instrument of the gathering of Israel.  God restored the church with Joseph Smith as an instrument.  This was God’s plan from the premortal world. The Book of Mormon plays the central role in the church.  The church is the vehicle to carry the gospel.  

President Hinckley:  Do we understand and appreciate the church's wonderful position?  The church is true or it is not true.  In the introduction to the Book of Mormon, last 2 paragraphs it tells us how we can find out.  Ask if the book is true.  It is or it isn't.  Investigators will gain a testimony by the Holy Ghost.  You have to pray with real intent which means you really want to capture something.  When you read and ponder and pray it will be revealed to you. If this formula is followed the truth will always come to you.  It has to be "real intent" which means if you get your answer that it is true you will change your life.  Ask with a purpose and you will gain a testimony.

Repentance has an improperly narrow definition. One is going through the steps of true repentance. Like when we teach repentance and baptize converts.  But repentance is also a choice to leave behind things that aren't good enough.  Adopt a new way of life.  It is saving.  The apex of the week should be the sacrament at sacrament meeting.  As we repent daily---all of us---when you invite others to read the Book of Mormon you invite them the repent.  An invitation to read the Book of Mormon is an invitation to repent.  Follow up as you invite and they're will come to God.  They have to pray and read the Book of Mormon.  This first commitment has to be right.   These must be accomplished to progress.  You don't have to do anything.  God will tell them it is true.  The Book of Mormon was provided to us to turn to God

genuine converts know the church is true. 

Elder Rasband

Keys are given to individual people.  You missionaries are an asset to the stake president to use his keys.  President Nichols has the keys for missionary work in the Federal Way Stake.  

Key holders are called of God.  You don't ask for keys. Keys are given by those who preside over them.  Some keys are only held by the Lord, like resurrection.  There are lots of key holders here today:

Elder Rasband

Bishop Waddell

President Rasmussen

President Nichols

Elder Clayton as senior president of the seventy 

Elder Rasband said probably the most key holders ever at a missionary meeting.

Missionaries, you are living the two temple covenants of consecration and sacrifice now.  You are being asked to live these laws now.

President Monson said priesthood members have an obligation to serve a mission.

Sisters are invited to serve a mission.

You live in the era of hastening the work.  78,000 missionaries now up from 56,000 when the age was changed.  

President Monson - if he were here would say 2 things:

1. “I love you.”  And he really does love you.  This is one of his great attributes. President Monson has the gift of love especially for missionaries.  He often talks about his time as a mission president and still has missionary reunions.
2. “Thank you!”  Thank you to everyone of you for being righteous and recommended to do this work.  Thanks for being willing.  We love you and thank you.               

Elder Rasband asked for questions about his talk "The Divine Call of a Missionary"

Elder Samuelson asked why it was thrilling and humbling when his sons were called on missions.  Answer:  You want them to go but you have to give something away for a season.  They go out because they love Jesus Christ.  The missionary force is bigger than the Peace Corp. We are an army serving Jesus Christ.  Elder Sumsion asked why he thought of where the missionary would end his mission as he called them.  Answer:  That was President Eyring.   I look at the Bishop and Stake Presidents remarks and the ancestry before I assign.    I kneel down and pray to know where you want them to go.  I labor at it a little before I assign.  

Sister Huhme:  How do you prepare to receive revelation?  Answer:  I go fasting to missionary calls.  When we need to depend on the Spirit of the Lord we go fasting.  You clear your mind and focus one on one.  

Please never whine about your assignment, your area, your companion.  When you get home and have so many decisions to make, you will miss being assigned! 

D&C 109:22. Sister Zavala read this.  Substitute your name in here.  Remember where you went.  Angels have charge of you.  

It is your calling to gather the elect and bring them to Zion.

Help all to come unto Christ:   Investigators, less actives. 

Your Mission is closely connected to the Temple.

When you get a tough companion ask, what do you want me to learn from this?

What do you want me to learn from this mission?

There was a survey of the top problems in missions compiled from mission tours.  The #1 problem is obedience.  

The Lord has asked you to keep His commandments.  You agreed to live the highest list of commandments--the Missionary Handbook.  Do it!

Why are we obedient?

 Teach the doctrine and they will behave.  Teach of Christ and focus on the life of Christ. 57 categories on Christ in the topical guide.  We talked about Christ in everything they did.  Study and learn of Christ only Christ for 3 month.  Obedience soared.  Formula:  The more you know Him the more you love Him.  The more you know Him the more you will want to serve Him.  You become more obedient.  If you love me keep my commandments.  Live the white handbook for now.  You have agreed to live a higher standard and it will be joyful out of love for your master who is Jesus Christ.  

He gave us an Apostolic invitation to commit to obedience:  Will you strive to be more obedient----100% obedient?

President Hinckley would say I want missionaries to be 100% obedient.  I don't want fake commitments.  Strive in your heart to be 100%.  Do it out of love for your Savior.  

Elder Rasband's testimony:

I witness:

This is the church of Jesus Christ

The Book of Mormon is the Word of God

President Monson is a true prophet

Christ is love.  One by one he loves people.  3 Nephi 17

Find them one by one....name by name.

Be joyful and smile

Your life will be blessed

Be happy

Be clean

Know Heavenly Father watches over your family

Teach repentance and baptize converts

You are part of the hastening of the work.

D&C 88:72-73.  The day of the hastening of the work of salvation.

Be happy, Christ centered missionaries.

Sensational Seniors:    

     It was a day of bitter sweet feelings as Elder and Sister Hunt's and Elder and Sister Draney’s missions draw to a close.  They have left big shoes to fill in the Washington Federal Way Mission.   Their love of the Lord, service and goodness they brought to Washington will long be remembered. 

Everyone here will miss you!

 

 A big WELCOME to Sister and Elder Olsen who will
be serving as CES missionaries.

                                                                                                       And another big WELCOME to Elder and Sister Reynolds

•  Spring is Coming - "Let's be safe out there!"                                                                                                                 

 

Sister Giles and Sister Facer check in at the office to get safety gear - reflective vests are the latest fashion statement!  Very popular, and very important!

Well done Sisters!!

More pictures - just for fun...

Fit in Auburn: