8 Ways To Be A Missionary

I recently found a post that is "8 ways 2 be a missionary". I loved it. Ever since I came home for my mission I've been trying to master the art of member missionary work. It is definitely hard, but I will not be deterred from my mission!

His last step is "Be not ashamed". This is my all time favorite. How can we expect to share the Gospel if we steer clear of talking about it because we are embarrassed. Be brave!!

See what Matt from The 8 Ways 2 blog teaches how to be a great missionary without even realizing it:

1. Be a good friend

The other day I was talking to a friend from a different church.  I’ve known him for a couple months and had never asked about his religious beliefs.  I felt the time was right and asked him about his faith.  I showed genuine interest in him.

But guess what? I continued asking about him rather than blurting out a wrote response of what I believe or corrections to what he said based on doctrine I follow.  That day will come when I invite him to come unto Christ, but first I must be a good friend who he trusts.

2. Practice what you preach

People watch us.  Those outside of our faith most especially.  They pay attention to what we say and what we do.  The people that seem to radiate the most light are those who have integrity. I’m more likely to listen to what those people have to say. If you know the scriptures backwards and forwards that’s all well and good, but how are you applying it? Do people see the gospel in action when they watch you?

For the other six ways head over to his blog and read them. I promise you won't regret it! 

WARNING: Joy and Pure Happiness (and picture overload!)

This last week I got to go on vacation. YIPEE! It was fantastic. Half of it was spent as a leader on a Pioneer Trek with the youth of my Church. The second half was spent at the beach in Seaside, Oregon with my family. So pretty much my three favorite things...the youth, the beach and my family. 

So get ready for picture overload. And believe it or not these are just my favorites ;). 

This picture was taken when only the women were pulling the cart. The young women were absolutely amazing and rose to the challenge with pure faith!

Warning: If you see any of these women, be scared. We are trained in the art of throwing tomahawks. 

These are my "golden boys". Even though they always make sure to make me feel old they are both so amazing. They always put a smile on my face and made me so proud as they lived the gospel and helped their family the whole trek!

My view from where the leaders were camping out. AMAZING!

And now to the beach.....oh pure joy!

This was my first night in Seaside. The picture says it all. 

We convinced my nephew to let us bury him. It isn't a trip to the beach without at least one person getting buried right?!

Loved having my Brazilians along with us for the trip. (This is at Hug Point)

I was a master photo-bomber this weekend and the Brazilians were good sports :).

The whole crew! (We missed the rest of the Burton clan.)

My adorable nephew Vincent Frost.

This vacation reminded me how much I loved the outdoors. The whole time I was outside I felt at peace and like myself. Note to self: Don't go this long again without enjoying the great outdoors and all God has given to you!

Can I please go back?!

You Matter.

I can't not share this video. Especially after just writing a post about my "shame triggers". Colbie Caillat nailed it. And good for her! We try so hard to impress everyone because we want them to love us, but in the process of doing that we forget to love ourselves. 

We are so hard on ourselves, and when I say we I mean I am. I always leave the house thinking "this is as good at is going to get". Or I'll dress differently or put on more makeup depending on who I'm around because I want to impress them. I spend all this time doing it but at the end of the day that time could have been used learning to love myself, and serving others. 

I don't know about you, but when they started wiping all their makeup off they all looked so much happier to me. 

Now this is not me saying don't wear makeup, never get dressed up, don't care what you look like. There is nothing wrong with any of those things but if you're using those things to impress others and to cover up who you really are then they can be a big distraction. Like Colbie said, "Take a breath, look into the mirror at yourself. Don't you like you? I like you". 

If we all just understood who we were I don't think this would be a problem. I grew up being taught I was the daughter of a King, a loving Heavenly Father. And while I believe this is true, sometimes I don't fully understand it. Which is why I am so hard on myself and also on others. Because I lose sight of who I really am. I'm busy looking at others and wishing I was like them, but the days I embrace me and love me I am so much happier!

If we just believed and remembered it always, what a difference it would make in our lives. What a difference we would make in each others lives. The most powerful Being in the universe knows you perfectly and He loves you with a love that is greater then any love we could imagine. If that is true, then why don't we love ourselves?

Think about your life. How would you act differently if you understood that you have divine parents? How would you feel about yourself? How would you feel about others? I know that as you and I come to understand who we are and whose we are we will begin to see a change occur in ourselves, and we will be able to start being a part of a change in the world.

Do you feel like you don't matter to anyone. I promise, you matter to Him. You matter to your Heavenly Father.

*You Matter To Him by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
*We Are Daughters of Our Loving Heavenly Father by Elaine S. Dalton

Shame Triggers

Recently I read a post over at Let Why Lead about shame triggers. If you haven't read it yet I highly encourage you to. It really got me thinking.

At first I didn't think it applied to me because I don't have anything to be ashamed of, but she discusses some of what Brene Brown teaches about shame. She said, "But as I continued to read and listen to Brene talk about her research, I learned that shame for most of us is just that quiet feeling of "not enough"". This hit me hard because it really is something I can feel.

Now overall I know who I am. I know I'm a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father and that He loves me, I have a family who loves me, and overall I've got it together. But I also have no problem pointing out to people what is wrong with me, what qualities I don't have, and what parts of my life where I feel like I'm failing.

Erica was very authentic when she wrote about three of her triggers, which all hit home for me, and it inspired me to do the same:

1. Not kind and loving enough. I'm kind of a sarcastic person and most of the time I love my humor but sometimes I don't. I wish I was that girl who was more loving and kind to everyone. Do I talk about others to much? Do I complain too much? Do I always put myself first? Do I put others down to often in the hope I will get a good laugh?
2. I'm not exciting enough. I hate the questions "what did you do before this job?", or "what do you like to do?". I've never left North America, I'm back living at home again, I served my mission in my home state and I don't have any big obvious talents. I always hate talking about myself because I feel like everyone else is living the dream and has exciting things to share while I'm just this average Jane just trying to find my thing. Talk about serious shame. I look at what I haven't done instead of what I have done.
3. I'm not pretty/fashionable/creative enough. Pretty shallow I know but I'm being authentic here so I'm going to be honest. I follow all of these lifestyle/fashion blogs and I see these women and I think "what is wrong with me?" or "why am I not more girly and cute?". I find myself thinking I'll never look like that, or no matter how hard I try I'll never be able to decorate a home that cute.  When why does that matter? I should rejoice in my own uniqueness!

And just a few more of mine:
* Not motivated enough
* Don't have enough self-control
* Not confident enough
* Not positive enough
* Not brave enough
* Not active enough

Sadly I could go on. Erica on Let Why Lead said , "Wholehearted people know what qualities they don't have, but they wake up every morning and still feel "enough"". I think that is so true. They know they need to keep working and growing to be better that day but in the end they know I did my best.

Now I need to figure out how to overcome my "Shame Triggers".

Now it is your turn. Be authentic with yourself. It feels good :)