Happy St. Patrick's Day....and Good Bye Iola Kansas!

Hey there!

It's me. Sister Hyer.

So....The time has come. My stay here in iola is coming to an end. It's been an amazing 6 months (holy cow, 6 months?!) filled with many adventures and journeys that have helped me learn and grow. After a while, I was beginning to think I would end my mission here, and leaving only felt like something I'd face when I got on the plane to go home. But the Lord needs me somewhere else....where? I won't know until tomorrow...but I'll go where He needs me to go!

iola has become my home over the past 6 months. I knew I cared about this place and the people here, but saying goodbyes yesterday made me realize how much I truly love them and how wonderful my stay here really has been. I didn't think leaving the area would be this hard...but through many hugs, tears, and 'I love yous', my heart felt a little different than I thought it would.

Reflecting on my journey here in iola, Kansas, I thought I'd share a few things I've learned/experienced over the past 6 months.

while serving in iola, I have:

- met so many incredible people

- experienced Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, my birthday, and Valentine's Day all in one area
- learned to love the country

- met more dogs, horses, chickens, and cows than I thought even existed

- laughed, cried, and made memories that will last forever

- driven a total of 10,000+ miles

- seen oh so many miracles

- learned more about the Gospel than I have my entire life

- had the blessing of being a part of 3 baptisms

- come to understand the importance of member missionary work

- been shaped and refined by trials

- learned the importance of prayer

- realized that I truly "can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13)

And above all else, while serving in iola,

- My faith and testimony have been strengthened. I can truly say with more conviction than ever that I know this Gospel is true. Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for all of His children. Our savior Lives! Through the power of His infinite Atonement, we can be strengthened and be enabled to do things we would not otherwise be able to do by ourselves. The Gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and we are lead by a living prophet and apostles in these latter days. The Book of Mormon is true and can help us come closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. It's all true!

Goodbyes are hard. But I'm truly grateful for the time I've been able to spend here. Iola Kansas will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Here's to the last stretch  of my journey. Onward to wherever the Lord needs me.

I love you all!

Sister Hyer

Testimony Builders

Hello My dearest friends and family!

This past week we went to visit a member who has been suffering from different types of cancer for almost 4 years. I hadn't really had a chance to get to know her since I got here to iola, so when we got there I said: "Alright, tell me all about you." She laughed at first then began telling us about her life. She joined the church when she was in high school when a group of her friends were all getting baptized. She said she didn't really have a testimony at that point and that she mostly did it to fit in with her friends. But her faith grew over the years and her testimony was strengthened as she lived the gospel. She married a man who wasn't a member, and had 5 kids who she raised in the church, but who had since become inactive. She talked about how she'd stayed strong in the gospel even though there were times when she felt alone. We showed her the Mormon Message from the talk by Elder Holland, 'None Were With Him'. It says:

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly The Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”

 I asked her how she's been so faithful, and how she's stayed strong even through her battle with cancer. She said something along the lines of:

"When I first found out that I had cancer, I went into my room and sobbed. As I stood there crying, I felt something touch my hand. This warm feeling radiated through my whole body. I opened my eyes to see what or who it was, and there was no one there. I knew it was the hand of the Lord, and that he was there to comfort me in my time of need. He has never left me. I know it with all my heart." As she told her story, she started crying, and could barely speak as she finished with, "I have a testimony of the plan of salvation. I know it is real. I believe Heavenly Father has helped me through this battle so that I could testify to others of the truthfulness of the Gospel."

With tears in my eyes, I could barely respond. I thought for a minute about what to say... "As missionaries, our purpose is to visit people and uplift them and help them come closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ...but today, I have been uplifted and my testimony has been strengthened. Thank you...for being such an incredible example and testifying of the truthfulness of this Gospel to me and to all those you love."

This made me realize that Heavenly Father as helped me endure my trials not only because He loves me, but so that throughout my life, I can testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel.... It is true! I've said it over and over to all of you, but I'll never back down from my testimony.

I love you all!

Love, Sister Hyer

BAPTISM- Jane

My dearest family and friends! Time is short this week, but It has been a week of miracles here in Albany!

Best news/biggest miracle of all. WE HAD A BAPTISM! In mission life, that's a big deal anyway...but here in Albany it's an even bigger deal because it's been about 3 years since the branch has had a convert baptism!!! It was such a miracle. Her name is Jane, and she's great! We have been teaching her for about 3 months. Things have been really rocky through this whole process. We found her through a former investigator, and when we first met her, she was...well...kind of a mess. She had recently faced some really hard trials and had completely lost every ounce of faith she'd ever had. She had no desire to pray and didn't believe that she was loved by anyone, let alone Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We did our best to visit her often, but she wasn't putting any effort forth whatsoever. She would miss appointments, avoid our calls, and never respond to our texts. We were just about to give her a break for a while when we got a text one night. "I need to talk to you. when can you come see me?" Of course, we got there as fast as we could. She said she'd had some really spiritual experiences and that she knew everything was right and that she'd do whatever it would take to be baptized. So we told her we'd be by every day the for following two weeks, took her cigarettes so she could quit smoking, and said a grateful prayer that everything was going to work out. Perfect, right? Wrong.

Later that day she texted us and said: "Can't make it to our appointment or church. Had a change in beliefs." My heart was shattered. How could things have gone so perfectly earlier that morning, just to have everything fall apart that exact same day? then the answer came into my head: Satan. That sly monster! How dare he mess with these missionaries. So we called her and asked her if we could at least come talk things out. She hesitantly agreed. The next morning we went to see her. She expressed her concerns and we talked her through everything. My companion and I don't remember a single thing that we said...which is when you know that it was truly led by the spirit! We left her feeling peaceful, once again, about being baptized.

The few weeks following that experience were all equally as rocky as the beginning. But things took a turn for the best and all of a sudden we were planning her baptism! The day of the baptism came...we set everything up, including cleaning all the spiders and cobwebs out of the font...(yes, it has been that long since It's been used). It was such a great baptism. Right after she was baptized, we went into the dressing room with her and asked her how she felt. She said, with tears in her eyes: "...like I did the right thing..."

I love being a missionary. Things may be rocky at times, but there are always good things to come!

Love, Sister Hyer

Just Sportin our TAGS!

my sweet new shoes! Adidas liquid rides! :)

Tennis with the Elders!

We are like...Way good at this :)

excuse the awful pedicure....but this is what happens after wearing the same shoes every single day for an entire summer. :)

Just bein way happy missionaries! :)

Just US

Me and Jane

Sister Doolittle's First baptism, and Albany's first baptism in almost 3 years!

Be a Missionary

Can you believe summer is almost over?! Time is flying faster than ever...I know I say that every week...but I honestly feel like it was just last week I was saying it was my 6 month mark, and now I'm up to 7! I better stop keeping track or the end is going to come too fast. I have to just enjoy every minute of every day!

Miracles are happening around every corner! The members are really enthusiastic to help with those we are teaching and are pretty good to step up and take action when we need them to. Member involvement makes missionary work possible! Our miracle today was a result of just that....

We have been teaching a young girl who is facing some really tough things in her life. She is a single mom of a little 3 year old boy and another on the way. Some unfortunate circumstances left her jobless...so without income she lost her electricity, phone, car, and was close to losing her apartment. Without the means to support him, she decided it would be better for her son to go stay someplace else until she got back on her feet. She only gets to see him once or twice a month. Without a phone and a car she was having a really hard time finding a job. She has strong faith in God, but was feeling very discouraged. We have been doing our best to encourage her as we've taught her the lessons, but she just wasn't grasping the gospel because she couldn't see past her current circumstances. We were praying that something would happen to help her move forward towards baptism.
  
We asked around for local jobs that would be good hours and pay for her situation. In a small town, things are limited...including jobs...so we weren't having much luck. We finally turned to one of the members in our branch. She informed us that there was an opening with the company she worked for, and that if our investigator could get a position that has the same hours as she does, she could ride with her every day to work until she had enough money to get a car. She went in this morning to check things out...got a position...and starts TOMORROW! This was all made possible because a member was willing to reach out and serve someone in need. We talked to this member for a while about everything. She said: "You should have seen how excited she was. She couldn't stop talking about how she would be able to get her son back. We talked about baptism on the way home from her interview. She said she felt scared and nervous...but that it feels right." I was near tears as she shared this experience with us. How incredible it is when members and missionaries work together! We must be united in our efforts, and as we do so, miracles will happen!

I encourage each of you to be doing your part as a member missionary! That doesn't mean you have to go out every single day, knocking on people's doors, giving out hundreds of copies of the Book of Mormon...missionary work can be simple. Have the missionaries over for dinner. Ask them, "what can we do to help you fulfill your missionary purpose? what can we do as a family to help those you are teaching? is there anybody we can fast and pray for?" If you're unable to do that, be a missionary by simply living the gospel valiantly every day. Others will see the light in your life and will have a desire to know what it is that makes it shine! 

This video is from the new section of the Church website, Hastening the Work of Salvation. Take just a few minutes and watch it! We are One in bringing souls unto Christ!

http://bcove.me/mogs3aac

 I love you all! 

Sister Hyer

Pleasure Versus Happiness

Hello all! I have been trying to think what I wanted to write about this week. I try to make my letters meaningful and do my best to express my feelings about the experiences I am having. Throughout the week I will have experiences and think to myself: "I can't wait to write about this in my letter home!" And then I try my hardest to put these miracles into words...which isn't always an easy task. This week, like all others, was full of experiences that I could share with you. But I wanted to share something I learned in my studies this week instead. I have learned to love studying. I wake up in the morning excited and anxious to learn more about the Gospel. It's so fabulous! I have been reading Jesus The Christ by James E. Talmage. I wish I could paraphrase the chapters and the things I want to share with you, but it wouldn't do his writing justice. Here is a passage I LOVED from a chapter about the beatitudes:


Pleasure Versus Happiness

"The present is an age of pleasure-seeking, and men are losing their sanity in the mad rush for sensations that do but excite and disappoint. In this day of counterfeits, adulterations, and base imitations, the devil is busier than he has ever been in the course of human history, in the manufacture of pleasures, both old and new; and these he offers for sale in most attractive fashion, falsely labeled, Happiness. In this soul-destroying craft he is without a peer; he has had centuries of experience and practice, and by his skill he controls the market. He has learned the tricks of the trade, and knows well how to catch the eye and arouse the desire of his customers. He puts up the stuff in bright-colored packages, tied with tinsel string and tassel; and crowds flock to his bargain counters, hustling and crushing one another in their frenzy to buy.

"Follow one of the purchasers as he goes off gloatingly with his gaudy packet, and watch him as he opens it. What finds he inside the gilded wrapping? He has expected fragrant happiness, but uncovers only an inferior brand of pleasure, the stench of which is nauseating.
"Happiness includes all that is really desirable and of true worth in pleasure, and much beside. Happiness is genuine gold, pleasure but gilded brass, which corrodes in the hand, and is soon converted into poisonous verdigris. Happiness is as the genuine diamond, which, rough or polished, shines with its own inimitable luster; pleasure is as the paste imitation that glows only when artificially embellished. Happiness is as the ruby, red as the heart's blood, hard and enduring; pleasure; as stained glass, soft, brittle, and of but transitory beauty.
"Happiness is true food, wholesome, nutritious and sweet; it builds up the body and generates energy for action, physical, mental and spiritual; pleasure is but a deceiving stimulant which, like spirituous drink, makes one think he is strong when in reality enfeebled; makes him fancy is well when in fact stricken with deadly malady.
"Happiness leaves no bad after-taste, it is followed by no depressing reaction; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, entails no remorse; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction.
"True happiness is lived over and over again in memory, always with a renewal of the original good; a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting, which, like a thorn in the flesh, is an ever-present source of anguish.
"Happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light-minded mirth. It springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. Have you ever been so happy that you have had to weep? I have."


True happiness is something that we are all seeking after. We would be foolish to admit that we were searching for anything else in this life. It hasn't been until recently that I've learned the meaning of True happiness, and I'm glad to tell you, that I feel I've found it. I can honestly say that I have never been this happy in my whole life. I know it's because of the work that I am doing here in the mission field....the Lord's work. Every day I am completely absorbed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My days are long and are filled with preaching His Gospel and inviting others to come unto Christ...And even though There are days that I feel weak and that I am falling short of everything I want and am striving to become, I still feel an immeasurable sense of true happiness....a happiness that I can't quite seem to explain...it is true bliss.
Although sometimes the journey seems long and trials may leave us feeling defeated, I know that as we turn to Him we will find happiness. I know that real, true, genuine happiness comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and I've learned that it truly is a plan of happiness.

I hope you know how much I love you all! Thanks for all the love, support and prayers!

Love,
Sister Hyer

Happy July Everyone

My dearest friends and family! Happy July! It sounds like, for a lot of you, the summer heat is hittin hard this year! Hope everyone is surviving!

Last week was a week of miracles for us here in the M.I.M! We set 2 people with a baptismal date! It has been a very long time since there has been a baptism here in Albany, so we are really excited to be part of it! The branch is on fire :)

Last week we had a mission conference. Those usually don't happen, but since they were splitting the mission, they had everyone who was staying in this mission come together for a conference. It was amazing to have everyone there together! We had the opportunity to attend the temple as a mission...and let me just tell you...it was incredible! The spirit was so strong as we all gathered together. A lot of work was put into making it possible for each of us to go to the temple...there is over 200 of us!

The day of the mission conference was a day that will go down in history. June 26th was the day they began creating 58 new missions. Something that has never happened in the history of the church. It marked a huge step in the hastening of the Lord's work! One of those missions was the Kansas, Wichita mission. There were quite a few missionaries I knew that were put into the Kansas mission, and it was sad to not have them at the conference with us. We sang The Missouri Independence Mission song for our opening hymn. None of us had the words in front of us, so there was a line we left out and it kind of ruined the song...After the song was over, our mission president got up and said: "We are sad to be missing some of our missionaries who are now part of the Kansas, Wichita mission. I'd like to think that the line we left out in our mission song was in their honor. They will always be in our hearts and a part of the Alpha and Omega mission." It was a bittersweet experience!

I've been thinking about my sweet grandma lately. I miss her a lot. My heart aches to think that I didn't get to spend time with her during her last moments of her mortal existence. But she loved and had a passion for missionary work, so I know she'd want me right where I am. The other day we were visiting a sweet widow we'd met when I first arrived here in Albany. As we visited with her, She told us about her life and her family...and then she spent quite a while telling us tales of the love of her life--Bob. He'd passed away 12 years ago, and hearing her talk of her love for him was so tender. I asked: "Do you believe you'll get to see your husband again?" She said she wasn't sure, but that she'd like to believe she would. We taught her about the plan of salvation and bore testimony that we knew she would be able to see him again someday. I shared my experience of losing my sweet grandma. I told her about the trial I faced, but the peace I found through our Heavenly Father's plan for us. I invited her to pray with us, then encouraged her to take a moment after the prayer and just listen and focus on what she was feeling in her heart. I prayed that she would feel peace and comfort and that she would come to an understanding of the truth that she will see her sweetheart again. After the prayer was over, we sat in silence. The moments passed by and I glanced up to see her reaction. Tears were streaming down her face and I quietly asked what she was feeling in her heart. she said, with simple assurance: "I know I'll see him again." I was in tears as well, thinking, once again, of the love I have for my grandma. She will forever be in my heart. I know she is here with me!

Life as a missionary is wonderful!

I love you all!

Sister Hyer 

Happy Day After Conference

Oh wasn't that just the greatest conference since last conference?! ;) So many wonderful talks that we were able to hear. Can't wait to read them all in the Ensign when it comes out!

I LOVED all of the talks, it's way too hard to choose a favorite...but President Uchtdorf's was really touching. I am bearing my testimony almost every day to the people we teach, and I often mention how the gospel brings LIGHT into my life. I thrive on light. It makes me happy and uplifts me when I'm down. The sunshine makes me so happy, and I love being in brightly lit rooms...but the physical light I see and feel, is only a tiny glimpse of the Light I feel from my Savior. His light shines brightest, and illuminates even the darkest times. "God's light is real! It is available to ALL!" :)

I had an amazing experience last week. It was towards the end of the night, and a man and his three beautiful daughters walked in to the visitors' center. I took them through the presentation "God's Plan for His Family" about the plan of salvation. When the presentation was finished, they were all practically sobbing. I stood at the front of the room and didn't really know what to say. I stood in silence for a minute, and even though it was quiet, the spirit was there. After a moment, the man wiped away his tears, and in broken English started his story. "We have a very strong testimony of this plan. You see...my wife just passed away 2 weeks ago. Our hearts have ached...Her and I met in Argentina and were married in the Buenos Aires temple. Then we have these 3 beautiful girls...Because we were married there, we will be together again." It was so touching. I couldn't keep from crying, of course, but began to bear my testimony to them. As I did, I had a strong impression to tell the girls that their mom was proud of them for all they are doing. The spirit was so strong. How blessed we are to know of His plan for us!

Well, I love you all just as much (if not more) as last week! I say it every email, but it's true! :D Thank you for the continuous love and support...I feel your prayers often!

Much love!

Sister Hyer

Families can be Together Forever

My Dearest Family:

I always plan throughout the week before my day to write what I will say...I ponder the experiences I've had and try to come up with words to express and help you understand the work I'm doing here. I had most of what I wanted to say planned out, but I feel it only appropriate to share something a little different today. I need each and every one of your to hear my testimony and know of my knowledge of our Heavenly Father's plan for us.

My heart broke when I learned of Grandma's passing. As many of you know, her and I had a special connection. I had grown to love her more and more over the past few years, as I took the time to really get to know her. Before I left, I had it in my mind that I wouldn't be able to make it through something like this if I were to be faced with it on my mission. I just figured I'd be a complete mess and want to come home. But I cannot even express the feelings I've had over the past few days.

At first, my heart just ached. I had received a few letters about the news. My mission president was out of the office, and wasn't able to pass the message along, so I didn't receive word of it before I got the letters. I fell apart, and the tears were endless. I was surrounded by all the sisters at the visitors' center, and although their hugs and words of encouragement brought minimal comfort, I just wanted to be alone. At the Vistors' center, we have theaters where we show videos about our beliefs and the history of the church. I walked in one of the theaters and just sat against the wall. As I sat in darkness, I reflected Grandma's life and the past years I have really gotten to know her. It was silent and my sobs filled the room. I felt lonely. All I wanted was a hug from the people I love. Just when I began feeling overwhelmed by the pain, I thought of the title of the movie we show in that particular theater...."God's Plan for the Family." I was consumed by a powerful sense of peace and comfort--One I can't really describe. Even though I was too far away to get a hug from my family, I felt the Savior's arms around me and I knew He was there...and I knew Grandma was there too.

As I sat there, I felt her there with me. It was incredible. I imagined her saying something like: "Oh Jenna. You know I love you. But get off the floor and wipe those tears away, and let's laugh instead. You have work to do. The Lord needs you on your feet!" Then I imagined us exchanging some sort of sarcastic remark, laughing, then giving each other a huge hug before she left me to get back to the Lord's work. I was so touched when I read that she wanted funds to be donated to the mission fund. I know missionary work had a special place in Grandma's heart...she Told me many times as I was preparing to serve. I know she would want me here. And serving this mission has a whole new meaning. I know she will be with me every step of the way.

I have a Testimony of the plan that Heavenly Father has for our families. I know that through the Atonement, I will be able to joke and laugh with Grandma again someday. Until then, I will put my whole heart into helping others understand the truth that I know...that families can be together forever. This experience has helped me gain an even stronger conviction of this truth, and although my heart still aches a little, I have found peace and comfort in the love of my Savior, and in the love I know my sweet Grandmother has for me.

I am sad that I can't be there to celebrate her incredible life and the legacy she leaves behind...but know that I will be there in spirit. I will be thinking of all of you and reflecting on the good times I had with her. Try to keep the tears to a minimum...I figure Grandma would rather have us laughing. :) I love you all!

All my love,
Sister Hyer