Welcome to Tempe! 9/16/19

Here are some pictures of Sister Callister on her first day in the Arizona Tempe Mission!

Hello Friends and Family!

What a crazy first week! It has been an absolute adventure from the moment i arrived in Arizona. When we got picked up we headed to the Gilbert Temple to take some pictures, then President Goaslind decided it was time to rip the band aid off and we headed to ASU campus to hand out copies of the Book of Mormon. It was super nerve-wracking but such a blast! We handed out a few copies and even committed someone to coming to church. God really does have people ready to hear the message of the restored gospel. 

My trainer/companion is Sister Snelgrove! She is from Rexburg, Idaho and has only been in the mission for 3 months but is AMAZING. We get along so well and are having a blast sharing the gospel. We are currently serving in Ahwatukee (a suburb of Phoenix). We have two wards we cover, the Ahwatukee and Mountain Park wards. We have already had the craziest experiences though! Last Saturday we had decided to fully commit to finding people in the dark. The sun sets at 8pm here so were usually knocking doors and going through apartment complexes in the dark. It can be somewhat scary (especially since we have been warned of a lot of complexes we cant go in at night) but we wanted to go for it. Early in the day as were walking through a complex and saw some funny looking clouds, didn't think too much of it until 5 minutes later we look back and a GIANT sandstorm is coming straight at us. We started running back to the car but knowing we wont make it because it was a half mile away Sister Snelgrove sees our dinner appointment member and we ended up sitting there through the storm. Later, we get out of our lesson around 730 and the moment we walk out it starts raining like crazy and there's thunder and lightning. So we trudge through it to another apartment complex and thankfully it passes so we continue to go around talking to people. We were in the back of the complex when suddenly Sister Snelgrove grabs my hand and says "Sister I don't know what that is" and starts speed walking pulling me with her. I turn around and a GIANT javelina is walking through the cars like 10 feet away from us! (Ill include a picture so you can see what it is) . Missionaries here go their whole mission without seeing one and 4 days in I'm right next to it. Thankfully we got away quickly because locals say they can be super mean and usually travel in packs. 

Sorry for the long email but it has been such a crazy adventure! We haven't had much success with finding and have been rejected 100% of the time with every door we knock, but I know there is a reason I am here. I know there are people that are ready to hear the gospel. I know that as i continue to put my faith in God and Jesus Christ that I will continue to become converted to this incredible gospel and my mission. I cant wait to see what other adventures I have in the coming months. I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week! 

Sister Callister

Helaman 8:23 -"He is God, and He is with them". God is ALWAYS with us. He loves us so much. He wants us to be happy, but He also wants us to grow. Never forget Him in your trials, in your sufferings, in your joy. He is there. 

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Hello Family! 

I hope you all got my main email and enjoyed some of my crazy adventures ive already had in the mission! My companion is the absolute best. She is exactly what i needed. We have already built such a huge friendship and i love her with all my heart. She is so dedicated to the work and I could not have asked for anyone better. I know our companionship was divinely inspired. 

Since my main email was so long ill keep this shorter, i was studying in Helaman and found something really interesting. In the chapter heading of Helaman 5 it says, "Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching - Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebearers." Then in verse 6 (when Helaman is talking to his sons) towards the end it says, "...this i have done that when you remember your names ye remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and we ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good." 

This made me reflect on my calling as a representative of Jesus Christ. His name is literally on my chest all day every day. Does this not apply to me? I have His name on my badge to invite me to pattern my life after Him. To, when i see it, think of Him and remember His works. This is a constant reminder to continue to come closer to Him and remember His life and His sacrifice. I know this principle applies to every member of this church. I LOVE this gospel. I love Arizona and i love the people. 

I love you all so much!!