Yay fasting!!!

Better than Wimbledon🎾: STL vs ZL

    #whoyougotinafight 

    Needless to say Elder Jenson and I gave our missionaries quite a show, I seriously look forward to our pday tennis matches

Missions are such a funny time, just a bunch of 18-20 something year olds laughing and having a good time talking about Christ and finding joy in the little things. My humor scale is a little out of wack but that just means more laughter! 

YSA work: flirty, about to age out or not interested hahaha, we work with what we've got! 

I HAVE SUCH A TESTIMONY OF FASTING!!! I've  always had an "ugh" attitude but it's turned into a "yay!" As missionaries and members we fasted to find- and now we're putting in the work! Taking our faith and putting it to action. We have already seen so so many miracles because of our fast and I am excited for the many miracles in store. "I know" has become such a meaningful phrase to me and I KNOW that this gospel brings true happiness! See where your faith can take you this week! 

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex 

The saddest week of pictures: 

Windows down soaking in the smell of rain! 

The beauty of technology: the work still moves on even on rainy evenings wrapped up on a couch 

Just tryna get some sunshine, no thanks to the wind 

Sweaty and styling after showing the elders up #sportygirls 

Shaking in my boots

I was told going to Lancaster would ~expand~ me and boy oh boy was that true! This place has me shaking in my boots!

Things I'm learning:

•there are just some people and situations where we don't say "HI! How are you?!" or wave or make eye contact with hehe whoops learned that one the hard way 

•some YSA guys are really sensitive.. learning how to point ANY and EVERY situation back to Christ

•don't laugh when the elders make salty comments #thatsahardone

•how to text awkward YSA hahaha 

•you get used to gunshots and drugs! (sorry mom just remember how much I love it here!!)

•it's fun to serve with elders!! Somehow I escaped that one for almost 11 months 

Things I NEED to learn:

•how to control my energy hahaha I'M BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS HERE 

•how to slow down, if you have any tips PLEASE send them my way

There is one thing that stops me from shaking in my boots: my Savior, Jesus Christ. My heart aches for some of the people that have come into my life and for too long I tried to be the hero, I tried to fix them, I tried to lift them. But I finally understand that there is only one who can truly help them. Christ understands. He knows. He lifts and comforts. I LOVE SHARING THAT WITH PEOPLE!! Pointing people to Jesus Christ is what brings the most joy to my life.

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

PICTURES: 

LIVING IT UP on Lancaster's finest couch

Getting #swoll spiritually and physically😎

APT 18 FINALLY HAS A COUCH #we'lltakethatthanks

From snow 

To sun!!!

It was a good run #legends 🤧

Only got to sit on it twice but hey, left my mark

Tell me your story- what role does Christ play?

Diving into one of my self-reflective moments:

We had a sweet lesson with a member couple yesterday and we had them tell us their story. It was SO fun to hear their adventures, but not once was the gospel or Jesus Christ mentioned. I asked "what role does the gospel play in your story?" which led to a wonderful, EDIFYING discussion! It got me thinking:

When someone says "tell me your story," when does Christ come into the picture? What role does He play?

This couple had wonderful experiences to share, but if we hadn't asked, we never would have known the impact that Jesus Christ has in their lives. How often do I do that? Christ is SUCH an important influence in my life, He is MY Savior. But do I leave Him out of my story? 

What role does Christ play in YOUR story? Just a thought to think about. I hope, whatever role He does play in your life, you'll take the time to share it. 

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

OH YES! I'm leaving Tehachapi and I'm headed to Lancaster, working with the YSA!!! Off to new adventures I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY FOR JESUS CHRIST

PICTURES:

The cutest cute fruit stand 

Always snowing round these parts 

#movienight President Ballard + treats = EDIFYING

Gonna miss these drives🥺

Ah the zone. They always be requesting a pic so here's their feature 

Yum Bear Valley breakfast!

Sister sleepover!!!

WE GOT A WASHER & DRYER, really is the little things that bring the most joy😌

Missionary —> Hairstylist

My fortune cookie: You will learn the value of a hug.

Me: ...😳😖

Anyone that knows me knows I prefer a handshake or a fist bump over a hug, but here I am, learning how to get out of my #comfortzone

As I listened to one of the sisters sniffle and wipe away tears, a battle went on in my mind. "She needs a hug... oh no, oh man, I can't do this... put on your big girl pants YOU CAN DO IT."

And I did. Still don't love hugs. But I learned the value!

We don't hug the people that we meet each day, but there is a warm glow in their eyes as a connection is made. Bear Valley has THE STRANGEST people I've ever met and they have the biggest place in my heart! With each moment together- listening to their life stories, planting flowers, pretending to like their animals- we become more connected.

The most important connection that we can strengthen is our connection to Christ. As I've gotten outside my comfort zone to help those around me, I find myself more connected to Christ. What connects you to Him?

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

PICTURES:

Out adventuring per usual

Ultimate trust... out here dying hair!

"There's no going back, you're going blonde!"

Pretty morning trail run

WANNABE HORSEGIRL

Chloe wasn't having it:/ love her tho!!!

Future business partners? #keepitclassy

Out adventuring per usual

#fearNOman

 For better or for worse, I be fearing no man out here in Tehachapi 

After a series of wild events, we were standing on the porch of an alcoholic who was shooting his bb gun and growling at us to his delete his address. I just stared into his mascara coated eyes and chatted away. 

We're fearless but we're not stupid, we've been putting together ~The Clark Case~ and boy oh boy do we have a story!!! I'll keep you posted on any interesting leads but right now all we know is that God places people in our lives for a reason and He works in MyStErIoUs ways. 

Every single day is an adventure here- we live to find joy in the simple moments! God has SHOWERED down miracle after miracle here, opening our hearts to a lot of heartache with a lot more love. 

Fear not.

Isaiah 41:10,14 - FEAR NOT I am with thee, I'll strengthen thee and help thee

Isaiah 42:1-5 - FEAR NOT I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name, I am with thee

Doctrine and Covenants 6:33-36 - FEAR NOT to do good, look unto me in every thought, doubt not fear not

And most importantly 

1 John 4:18

PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

PICTURES:

TETHERBALL BBY

2 happy girls soaking it all in

The YUMMIEST strawberries for a cute fruit stand on the side of the road!

Golden Girls!!!💗

Oh how we love our district of sisters + these fellas

One of those nights you want to last forever 

If you only knew the pain that went into building this chicken coop

Building the kingdom of God one chicken coop at a time 

Nothing gets us laughing like watching people's reactions during meetings