The Future Looks BRIGHT!

It's the New Year!!

     So, you ask, what do missionaries do for new years? Party obviously!! But not in the way you'd expect. You see, I was sick this New Year's Eve. Of course, the new year would bring new sickness with it. No, this New Year's eve, at about 8pm, I dragged myself from my bed to my companion who was in our living room. I grabbed our bubbly ;) (sparkling grape juice!) and sat on the couch, groggy (and dramatic) and we sipped away at our juice as we watched The Testaments. It wasn't a traditional new years for me, but I really enjoyed the presence of my companion, Sister Reid, and the new tradition we created together. The next morning, we had the opportunity to sleep in! An extra hour is more than enough for me. We continued our regular routine as missionaries! P.S-The plague is back... only this time instead of just hitting a companionship, it is ruining an entire zone! Will this never end?

     This season we've been sharing a special video with others called New Year's; Look Not Behind Thee. I absolutely love this video as they talk about Lot and his wife. The Lord told Lot to take his family and leave, "And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." He gave simple instructions not to look back and who looks back? Lot's wife. And POOF, she becomes a pillar of salt. The video is pretty comical at first but then becomes a video about perseverance, hope, and love. One man in this video says, she never really considered that her future could be better than her past. This can be true in all of our lives. We sometimes get so caught up in the lives we used to have or the fun we thought we had in the past that we long to be there again. We can most certainly look back on the past experiences again to see what we have learned or to learn from them but let's not dwell on them. Look to the future where our future can be so bright if we include our Heavenly Father. When we walk by His will, and have faith in His love, we can look forward to a bright future! Thomas S. Monson  said, "The future is as bright as your faith". Have Faith!!! We can do all things when we have faith!! I leave this message with you to encourage you! I am so ready for a new year! 

     We celebrated the new year today by going to the temple. We had the opportunity to do child proxy sealings (a first for my companion). It was beautiful!! I enjoy each time that I have at the temple. This time, however, as I was kneeling at the altar with an older couple, I could see the love that they had for each other as they were proxies for those that have passed on. As they said the vows, it was as if they were doing it for the first time all over again! As I knelt, the woman looked at me and then to her husband and said, "Now we get to have a girl!". I felt as if I were being sealed into their family and felt the acceptance as the ordinance was performed. Was somebody else on the other side of the veil saying the same thing?.. "Now we get to have a girl!".  As that thought passed through my mind, I heard a whispering that said, "This will be you one day". Not so much as a temple marriage as I am already determined to have, but as a daughter to my parents. One day I WILL be able to be sealed to my parents. Whether I am kneeling with them or kneeling for them, our family will be sealed. I am so blessed to have the security and the hope for a bright future. I am blessed to be in a mission where there are temples EVERYWHERE! We decided that today would be a companion date! We also ate at one of our favorite freebies, Chubby's! 

We sincerely enjoy eating there and enjoying each other's company. Though I may not always be loving this area, I still love my companion and the time we spend together. She is super supportive, kind, loving, and obedient! She is BeaUtIFuL in every way and I admire her so much! Heavenly Father has blessed me in so many ways! 

    On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to go on exchanges with our sister training leaders. One of the lessons we taught was the Book of Mormon. We read the introduction and the first 12 verses of 1 Nephi. Usually I use my iPad during these kinds of lessons but for some reason, this time, I decided to pull out my paper scriptures. On the front on my triple combination is my name tag clipped to the cover. As I looked at that tag attached to the most important thing in my life, I began to remember my journey to where I am now. I am reminded each and every day, when I put my tag on, where I have come and where I am going. 3 1/2 years ago I joined into this family, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I didn't fully understand what covenants I was making, I didn't know exactly where this would take me, but I knew that Heavenly Father had a plan and as I lived according to his precepts and commandments, I was going to have a bright future! I don't need to be afraid or nervous for my future because I know that as I act in faith and do my part, Heavenly Father will do His. I need not fear because He's got my back! I want to live my every day for Him. I continue to draw closer each and every day. I am a DAUGHTER OF GOD! And you. You are His child as well. I don't care what race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or anything else you are.. YOU. ARE. A. CHILD. OF. GOD. Live it, Love it, Be it.

I love you very much. Sincerely. Always. Forever. 

Sister Maren Rose Schultz

P.S-- Along with the new year comes new work outs ;) I'll be enjoying mine.

To The New Year!

Dear friends and family!!
It's been a pretty interesting week here in Lindon, Utah! As all of you know, it was Christmas this week!! I very much enjoyed the letters and gifts I received! I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to my parents on Christmas!! It was honestly the best hour of my life! They reminded me, yet again, that I only have 268 days left on my mission....sigh. We ate with a widow for dinner on Christmas and she prepared us a feast! There were 6 missionaries there in total and we ate turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes casserole, various gravies, rolls, pistachio pudding, and 6 pies! It was a pretty filling night and it's safe to say that a diet and a new workout routine is in my future! Christmas was very enjoyable though! However, the next day....dun,dun,dun... My companion contracted the flu. We spent the day at home trying to heal in which I watched every church movie possible, did as much as I could teaching online, and actually took a nap. The next day she seemed to be doing better and it was the day of president interviews (which I honestly get very excited for!!) I kind of asked for an extension to my mission but the mission is not allowed to hand out extensions anymore as there are too many missionaries out. So family and friends, you are safe! I did have a wonderful time talking with president and sharing what I have learned thus far on my mission! Fast forward to Saturday now... My companion is still sick! Poor thing! The flu has gotten the best of her and if you remember I have already watched every church video I can at this point. So what do I do now?? That's right!! I attempt a 500 piece puzzle! I figured, hey! That should keep me busy for awhile..... I was busy for 6 hours doing the puzzle! That's like a full time job. But lo and behold, my companion was awake to see me put in the finishing pieces! Pretty awesome right? I took picture evidence that it, in fact, did happen! I was so proud! That pride dissipated after a couple minutes when I moved on to take a nap (that felt a little more exciting). So then yesterday, we were asked a couple weeks ago to participate in 5th Sunday activities in which we were the speakers. Well, that morning, my companion wakes up and is now hacking and coughing and just sounding pretty cruddy, sadly. We go to church and she starts to feel a little imbalanced. Uh oh! We give our presentation about missionary work (surprise, surprise!) and we rush her home to get her to feel better. We did, actually, get some lessons in yesterday and it felt good, as for my companion, however, she is still recovering and is starting to do a lot better.
      I had a pretty spiritual experience yesterday. We were reading in the Book of Mormon with a man that has had trouble doing so, not because he didn't have the desire but for some other reasons. I usually use my iPad for lessons like this but for some reason I felt prompted to grab out my paper set. I have one of my name tags attached to the cover of my Book of Mormon. As it came time to bear my testimony, I looked down at my name tag, felt the leather bound Book of Mormon in my hands and bore a testimony full of heart and sincerity. I don't know why, but having my paper set of scriptures in my hands felt more spiritual than my iPad. I could feel the spirit that I held in my hands. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and therefore I know that Joseph smith is the prophet of the restoration! I know that Jesus Christ LIVES! It's so real! Everything! I wish you could feel what I feel every day!! It's amazing!!! I guess I never realized how much my mission impacted me until, as I was bearing my testimony, I felt the difference that has been made in my life, where I could be and what I could be doing. Man... This gospel is amazing!!!!!!
     Well, I just wanted to make sure y'all know that I love you so much and thank you for all the support you have given me! It means a lot to me to have people behind me helping me to feel loved and supported. Thank you so much!!!

Love,
Sister Maren Schultz

I'm Halfway There!

Hello friends and family!!
It happened! It has finally come! I gave officially been out for 9 months. I've had a lot of time to think back to the first 9 months of my mission. I've made some mistakes, I've learned much, at times I could have worked harder than I have, but I've had the most intense spiritual experiences, I've seen success, and most of all I've seen others come unto Christ. It's amazing for me to be on the other side of the inactive, less active, and investigator. It's cool to be the missionary now; to see the "aha!" moment and the connection made that this church, indeed, is true! What a special moment to witness!! I love to see others come to the knowledge and understanding that Jesus Christ died for US! Heavenly Father is our loving Heavenly Father! Gosh!!! It never gets old. I'm here to share the happiness and joy that I receive from the gospel to others so they may also feel that! It's like trying a new restaurant and absolutely loving it. You, of course, want to share that with others. So what do you do? You yell it from the roof tops! That's what I want to do. That's what I'm here to do. I love this gospel with all of my heart.
      In the spirit of being halfway through my mission, I'd like to share some experiences I've had so far. I guess this isn't really an experience but I've come to love certain foods that seem crazy to me. Aaragus, Brussel sprouts, curry, squash, almond milk, red peppers, pico de gillo, Mexican food, Mexican sour cream, cooked carrots, uncooked tortillas, fry sauce.. I could go on forever. My taste palate has expanded exponentially (sorry dad!).
      There was a man in my first area, American fork, who smoked, was living with his fiancé, was working towards baptism but regressed. One fast and testimony meeting, we were in his ward but he was no where to be found. We had the disappointment of a missionary who thought that this would be the time. We sat listening to the testimonies that others were bearing. A man walked past us up to the stand, it was our investigator!! He stood and bore a strong testimony with tears in his eyes and thanked The Lord for the progress he had made. Even though we thought we hadn't seen progress, it was there. He was moving forward. I left American fork shortly after that Sunday, I'm not sure how he's currently doing but I know that The Lord is taking care of him!
        In Orem, I had a hard time adjusting to the area. I had just moved in from my first area and was feeling pretty bitter about being in Orem. I was being put with a sister that didn't want to be my companion, and we were in a walking area. We met a young girl, 20 years old. She was quiet, reserved, and didn't want to see us, really. Her mom is a member that we visited all the time that quickly became our mission mom. Anyways, so this young girl was a depressed girl who didn't really want to attend church or be sociable. We befriended her one day and she became our best friend! We helped her through certain issues and saw the transformation that Heavenly Father made in a girl who tried her best to avoid us but was now coming on splits with us almost every night! She has a beautiful personality full of service for others, gratitude, charity, and so many more. She has shown me what the atonement is for. She showed me that Jesus Christ died for is each individually that through Him we can obtain eternal life.
    In the beginning of my mission I thought I was here to teach others but really I am here so others can teach me. I used to be shy, selfish, prideful, and bitter. Though I am not yet completely the opposite of those things, I am striving to do so! I am no longer shy (that's for sure!), I am not bitter, I love to do service for others and think of others over myself, and I am learning to humble myself a little more each day. If I had to do this all over again I probably would. My mission is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life thus far, aside from my baptism. I have learned much! I have succeeded, I have failed, but The Lord has been with me to right me when I am wrong, and to learn a lesson out of my failures. Failures don't bring us down, yet they build up so we have a foundation to lay our success upon.
       I've started to realize more and more that being a convert isn't a bad thing. I've learned that being a convert can be a blessing. When helping someone with the word of wisdom, I can share my experiences. When talking about tithing, feeling the Holy Ghost, praying to know if he Book of Mormon is true, and being on the investigator side of things, I'm able to share my real experiences with them. I was truly sent here as an instrument in God's. Things I looked at in my past to be negative are turning out to be positives in the end because I am able to understand others. At this point in my life I do not regret a thing because it's through my trials that I've become stronger, grown closer to God, and have be one the person I am today. I thank Heavenly Father every day for my trials and for the many things I have come to know and for the things I will come to know in time. I know that through any trial there will be a dawn, there is an end, and there is hope. You may be suffering now but Heavenly Father is right beside you.
      With Christmas being this week, I'd like to share a quote from Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch That Stole Christmas". "It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more". I'd like to change the word "it" to "He". He indeed came without ribbons. He came in a humble beginning, lying in a manager. He, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, our Savior and Redeemer was not met by the finest cloth in Bethlehem or with a majestic bed to lay his head in. He, in fact, was lain in a manager, in a cold stable, with hay for His bed. He was not greeted as a prince but He did, however, make it possible for us to return to our Father in Heaven. It's easy to lose touch with what Christmas really means but let us remember in this time of rejoicing and joy in family, that Jesus Christ started it all. Remember Him always.
    This Christmas I will be spending my time with the family we live with, the Beck's. They are so wonderful and take care of us! We love to spend time with them because they help us to feel at home. It truly is the most time of the year. I am so grateful to be here on my mission in Utah. Some people may think it's a punishment or that we weren't good enough to go anywhere else but guys! I'm in Zion!!!!! Someone needs to help the children in Zion because Israel is gathered. The Utah Provo mission is the best mission in the world (but hey! I'm pretty biased). I love you all and I wish you a very very merry Christmas!!!

Stay awesome!

Love,
Sister Maren Schultz

Lindon, a whole new world.

Hello friends and family!!

    This week was transfers and here's the news! I've been transferred to Lindon west and pleasant grove west with my new companion Sister Reid. She is from South Carolina and has the most adorable southern accent. She says things like ma'am and sir and good golly and hotdog!!! She says oh gracious and puddin and not pudding, and "I do declare". Straight from gone with the wind!  She's so stinking adorable!!! We live with a family named the Beck's. They are super wonderful and take such good care of us. They are hilarious and have 2 children out on a mission. We are covering 2 stakes, 16 wards and actually have a car! Woohoo!! Guess who's driving ;)

    Entering a new area is always a challenge. For one, I am driving an area that I do not know and which my companion doesn't necessarily know either. I am also trying to keep track of the ward mission leaders, members, and other leadership, and also being in an area where we are busy all the time. Now don't get me wrong! I'm not complaining. I love being in a new area with new people, a new companion, a car (woohoo), and lots of work! I love my new area but it does get challenging from time to time. I'm grateful for The Lord and for the strength He gives me. We were teaching a man the other day name Richard. He is less active and is trying to reactivate. He shared that His spiritual knees were shaking but nevertheless he is standing. I shared with him a personal story about when my spiritual knees were shaking. I felt The Lord strengthening me within that time. I shared my testimony with him about how The Lord can strengthen us as we are determined to stand. I had received spiritual crutches from The Lord. He helped me to strengthen my muscles until I was ready to walk on my own. I walked on my own and occasionally experienced weakness but I have grown stronger since then. If anything, I think I learned more from the lesson than I thought I was supposed to. Of course, Richard learned from the spirit and Heavenly Father but I also learned from what I had said that I am stronger than I realize. I was able to see the Lord's hand more evidently in my life.

    I am truly exhausted this week! We leave at 10 in the morning and we don't return until 930 at night! I feel like I go to bed at 11 and 630 rolls around way too quickly! Nevertheless, I know that Heavenly Father is giving me the proper strength. Obedience brings blessings and I've noticed that as I am exactly obedient, The Lord helps me to do the work that He has set aside for me. He helps me to love my mission and to not fall asleep in the middle of sacrament no matter how much I want to!

     Family and friends, I am so very grateful to be here in the Utah Provo mission, serving The Lord. Last night I had a dream that I was giving my homecoming talk and seeing my family ward again. That dream felt all too real. I have 9 months left. I'm at the peak. Now I need to endure and make sure time doesn't go too fast! I love you all so so much! I am so happy to know each and every one of you and feeling the love and support you supply! Please enjoy my new blog (yep, I hopped on the band wagon).

My current address is still:

Sister maren schultz

85N 600E

Provo, Utah

84606

This will be my address for the 9 months that I have left!

I love you all!!

Love,

Sister Maren Schultz

http://sistermarenschultz.blogspot.com/2013/12/heres-how-it-begins.html?spref=fb

Orem 4

Hello family and friends!!

It's been a busy week! We've had zone training meeting, my companion and I have gone to the Mexican consulate in Salt Lake City, we celebrated my birthday, we had so much snow come down! It's officially winter here in Utah. On Tuesday we had so much snow come down that we decided we would go out and shovel driveways for some members. By dinner time we had shoveled 9 driveways! Talk about back ache! Even though we only taught one lesson within that amount of time, we got so much done and it felt so amazing to help others. Service is one of those things that I cherish. I like to serve others because it helps them. If I can make any one persons day better I want to do it! And though we didn't get to see the reactions of the people we helped, it still felt good knowing that shoveling their driveway would be one less thing they'd have to do upon arriving home. As Jesus has said, "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(Matthew 25:40) and it is even mentioned again in the Book of Mormon, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). It is important to serve each other because a) we are all brothers and sisters, and b) Jesus has served us. As we serve others we are serving Him. Service also helps to turn your mood around! I was feeling pretty bitter on Tuesday but as I started to forget myself and get to work, my day turned right around! I am so grateful for the example that Jesus Christ has been to us and the love we feel from Him. I know He's our big brother and loves us very very much.

     Earlier in the email I mentioned that my companion and I traveled to Salt Lake City on Wednesday to the Mexican consulate. My companion's visa has come in. She is scheduled to leave for Mexico this week. It's such a bittersweet feeling to know that I will not be serving with a wonderful sister anymore. I'm sad to let her go but she is going to do amazing things in Mexico! While we were in Salt Lake City and it so happen to be my birthday we asked our driver to drive us by the temple to take pictures! How many people can say that they left their mission on their birthday and got my picture taken with my companion in front of the temple!? That really made my birthday special! Earlier in the morning, my companion set out a happy birthday banner for me and a cute card which she hand made. I have attached pictures, then we ate at a local cafe called roll up cafe. They specialize in crepes and anything Nutella! We ate "breakfast" with our district. I had a crepe called "summer fling" it consisted of strawberries, raspberries, and, of course, Nutella all rolled into a crepe!! I think this is the one restaurant I will miss the most when I leave. Speaking of leaving, both my companion and I will be leaving this area, leaving it to be white washed (we're being replaced with elders). I'm not going to lie, I'm feeling a little bitter at the way we found out we were leaving but I know that wherever I am going Heavenly Father has a plan for me. My companion has received her visa and will be going to Mexico but I have no idea where I am going. Our mission president is doing something new this transfer. He will be calling us and telling us if we're leaving or staying, if we're training, or if we are leadership. He will not be telling us where we are going or who will be our new companion until transfer day! A little nerve wracking buuuuut it should be interesting! It will be a quicker way to transfer and a less sociable haha which is what he is mainly trying to keep down. Transfers just happens to be a mission party and reunion lately! Of course president would notice 261+ missionaries out of their area hanging out in a parking lot. I will find out on Wednesday where I am going and who I will be with so I will inform you next week!

       On Saturday, I had the blessed opportunity to go to the baptism of a young man that I taught in American fork. We had to pass him off to the elders at one point because he was a street out of our area. It was so sad but we knew the elders would take good care of him. He is so super intelligent. He's from Ghana and is living here as an exchange to go to the high school here. His baptism was beautiful! You could tell he was so grateful and that he had felt the spirit of The Lord! Immediately when he came out of the water, he had the biggest grin on his face! This is what I love!!!!! I love to see how the gospel blesses lives and for people to feel the happiness that I have and still feel with the gospel in their lives!

       This Sunday was very good!! We got one of our less actives to come out to church, all 3 blocks in fact! And not even just that, another less active that we didn't expect came to church as well! She also stayed for all 3 blocks. Our area lacks in investigators so we see little successes like this we become grateful to our Heavenly Father for these tender mercies! The Lord has been so good lately (He's always good, I just sometimes forget to recognize it) my 22nd birthday was just wonderful and I want to thank all of those who sent me cards and small letters! It helps to know that I am loved and supported back home or wherever my family resides. It motivates me to be a better missionary every day that I am here. Now that I have been 9 months out, I have realized the mistakes I have made and know that yes, I did make mistakes but I am where I am as a missionary because of them. I have 9 more months to kick butt. There are many people out there that need the gospel (yes, even in Utah). I made a vow to my Heavenly Father that I would help them see the hand of God in their lives and to recognize the Holy Ghost. It's crazy to think that 9 months have already passed and that by March I will have been out for a year. What an absolutely mind churning thought. I have learned to think more of the present instead of the future. I am so grateful to be here on my mission and to be serving The Lord each and every day. I am so grateful to my friends and family for supporting me and loving me. Most of all, I am thankful to the Savior whom without, I would not be in the place I am in today. The atonement is real. The atonement is powerful. The atonement saved my life. I am SOO grateful!!!

I love you so so much!!!

You all mean so so much to me!!

I think of you constantly,

Love,

Sister Maren Schultz

The Plague

Hello friends and family!

        We have been hit by the plague!! But really it's just an annoying infestation of the flu and cold. My companion got the cold and I got the flu...in the stomach... Feeling great. We are healthier today than we have been all week. We've been out of work for about 4 days doing light missionary work that we could handle and going to important appointments. It is true that we are finally out of bed and kicking missionary tail finally! As my birthday sneaks around the corner (a week from Wednesday! How could that happen already?) I start to think about where I am in my life. In the matter of 5 years I have completely turned my life around because of the special gift that I have been given of the gospel! There is no better way that I would want to spend my 22 birthday than to be a part of this church, on a mission, and surrounded by those that love me. This week, as we were sick, I started to read the Book of Mormon again from page 1. I have started to notice verses that are popping out at me that I have never seen before! The picture of Nephi and his family is starting to be painted over more and more than it has been before. There are many verses before that's would have skipped over before but for some reason The Lord brings my attention to these verses and their meanings to me. The iron rod in 1 Nephi was something that I would just kind of pass over because I thought I knew its significance but I was wrong!! There's so much more meaning to it than I ever thought there was!! "And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."  (1 Nephi 11:25) such a simple verse in the 11th chapter of first Nephi but it says everything. The iron rod that we have are our scriptures. As long as we hold tight to these things and the word of God, we shall be led to the living waters which is Christ. We will be led to eternal life and to all the things which The Lord has set apart for those who obey the commandments and try their best in this life. This verse is essentially about the atonement that if we hold tight to the iron rod which can also be considered the atonement of Jesus Christ we are able to partake of the things which The Lord has promised us. The Lord has promised eternal life to those who are willing. Who wouldn't want to partake of this "free" gift that we are given. In that same vision that Nephi has, where others are feeling around for the iron rod, we as missionaries, both member and full time, have the purpose of helping others find the rod to hold onto for eternity. We have this ability and calling to help others in need because as the missionary purpose states, "our purpose is to help others come unto Christ by receiving the restore gospel by faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." The first thing that purpose states is to HELP. This one verse is about our purpose, how we can help others, and what they receive in return. Pheeeew, I know, all of that from one verse. Anyways, now that my tangent is over! The area is doing great and we are seeing many differences. After a month full of doctors appointments, ultra sounds, and bubonic plague, I am happy to say that my health is almost in top condition again! Oh and we're pretty sure our good friend little chef (who is our house mouse) is dead, sadly. He was fun while he lasted but on another note, the spider we caught a week or so ago in a tupper wear container is still, scarily, alive... Though he's pretty cunning and likes to convince you he's dead and then you open the top and he's actually not dead. He's alive. Little jerk. He'll be dead soon..if he's lucky. He was originally bait for the elders black widow spider but yeah.... We've been forgetting to give it to them.

          On a nicer note, it still hasn't snowed here in Utah. It's been threatening to but big bad Utah is a scaredy cat (I just jinxed myself, I'm sure.) I'm from NY come at me Utah. I was born ready for this weather since I was a wee little one in the womb. But seriously... I'm stocked.

         My companion and I decided that we would rearrange the apartment this week. We took down the bunk bed that was unneeded. The one I hit my head on each night and elbows which I apparently flail during the night. But then again the top bunk was maybe 7 inches from my face making any movement in bed impossible. But no longer!! I have about 10 feet of air above my head. I can now see the glow in the dark stars and planets on the ceiling. We've also cleaned up our crap and put the crappiest crap in the crap basket and sent it out. It's helping us feel so good and so much better :)

            On Sunday we talked to a relief society in one of our stakes about obedience. We were given the talk "obedience brings blessings" by Thomas s. Monson.  I love the way that Thomas puts obedience into perspective as he tells a story from his childhood about he and his friend wanting to have a fire one summer night while at a camping area in Provo canyon. He recalls needing to clear a space in the field to put their fire but they had to clear an area so he, being a young boy and knowing he shouldn't play with matches, went to his cabin and grabbed some matches sneakily and put the,m in his pocket. He says, as a young boy, he thought the fire would only burn as far as they wanted it to and them magically go out. Well, as we know, it didn't happen that way. Instead, the dry field took fire like it was doused in gasoline ams they needed to run for help, which they did. The entire camping community was able to put out the fire before any major damage had been done. This story reminds me just how important obedience is for us. Heavenly Father sets up rules for us much like little Thomas' mom and dad did not to play with matches. He wants us to be safe physically and spiritually which is why he sets commandments in place. Sometimes we have to experience first hand or second hand for ourselves to know why we keep commandments. Obedience really does bring blessings and happiness. Just something that came to mind yesterday.

       Yesterday we met with a guy for the first time and he was joined by his two other roommates. Let me tell you, these are the funniest guys! Van, who is Vietnamese, has never seen Harry potter movies or read the books! What an existence! It's okay though because his roommates who are American and Chinese have the bases covered. They start to compare the type of girls they want by the characters in Harry potter! We also learned that the one guy is a manny. Yes, you read that right... A manny and he loves it! More power to him! So interesting story how they all met. One day this guy is playing with his band in a park when Jeff approaches him looking for places to live and he's like oh hey come live with me, and Jeff is all like sure! Baaaaam roommates and then van came in there somehow.

Fun facts I learned this week;

It's easier to walk on earth than it is to walk on the moon... Duh.

My birthday is in one week

Technology apparently exist outside of the mission

Also, holidays still happen... Who knew?

If you put root beer in a square cup it becomes beer

You should actually use an Allan wrench to take apart bunk beds... Not scissors

Whenever I stub my toe I crack a toenail

My 5th pair of shoes have been worn through

I guess I'll just cut it off there and leave the rest for next week.

I love you all very very much!!!

Love,

Maren :)

The work is hastening

Hello Friends and Family!

Let me quick show you a visual!

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This is my face when I don't receive any mail! It can be hard for missionaries sometimes to not receive mail! Don't forget your sister missionary! Don't make me a grumpy-kins!

WRITE!

Sister Maren Schultz

85N 600E

Provo, Utah

84606

Anyways, so this week has been pretty exciting! We have been speaking in many wards lately and receiving new referrals and people to teach! This past Sunday we spoke in one of our wards about hastening the work. My companion spoke first and did phenomenal and there was a special musical number between our talks. A couple in the ward played "If you could hie to Kolob" on the piano and cello. As I sat there with my scriptures, with my name tag attached to the outside I started to really think about what that name tag meant to me. This name tag means the world to me. It means that I am a servant of the Lord. It means that I represent Jesus Christ every single day. It means that I better stand as a witness for Him in all times, in all things, and in all places! I am so filled with the love that Heavenly Father has for me and has for His children. This past week we were walking to an appointment that we were running late to and one of our ward mission leaders stopped us while driving by to confirm dinner. As we were talking, a little girl walked up to us and exclaimed, "I need to go home!" and so we asked here where home was, if her mom knew where she was, what her name was, and other details. We found out that the little girl decided she was going to walk home by herself that day and her mother was waiting for her at the school. We noticed, at that point, that she had a phone number on her lunch box and so we called that number to no answer. So we headed over to the school which was not too far from where we were just in time to hear the girl's name said over the loud speaker. We knew that they were looking for her. We walked over to the school and received a phone call from her mom to which we told her we had her daughter and she is safe. When we entered the school, the mom was so happy to have her daughter back and was thankful that we were able to return her. This is a lot like how Heavenly Father feels. When we are lost and confused, He sends other people to find us and return us to His presence. When He sees us once again He wraps His arms around us and loves us! He cherishes us and He keeps us close! This is why we're here as missionaries. We are here to bring back the lost children to Heavenly Father! I am so grateful to be a part of this work! I am so grateful that I have been called by a prophet and that I am here in the Utah Provo Mission. I love you all so very very much and I am grateful that I have been blessed with an amazing family and with amazing friends! Thank you for your continual love and support!

I love you!!!

Love,

Sister Maren Schultz