How Much Milk is Acceptable in Cereal?

Week 9 - June 29, 2020

If anything, this week has taught me that you have to be actively and anxiously engaged to be successful. For every aspect of life. Whether it's learning to do the splits (why yes, yes I am working on my splits, I'm glad you noticed!) talking to someone or a change in attitude, there's only one thing to do: START! Recognize the strength that comes from taking that first step. It doesn't matter how big or small, just do it!

"Thy strength is in me." The Lord strengthens us through small and simple ways. Find joy in your small victories and hold on to them!

Our virtual tours have been SO much fun!!! I grin like a goober the whole time, they give me energy and have strengthened my faith in the guiding influence of the spirit. Every single tour is different. There have been many times where I hear the words coming out of my mouth before I've even thought them. Risky business, you never know what I'm going to say! But I know that the spirit is the real teacher. People won't remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.

On that note: how much milk do you put in your cereal? This is not a hypothetical question, I WILL be awaiting your response. I personally put just enough to moisten my cereal, drain the milk out of each bite and get judged hard for it. If you're on team #lessmilk I accidentally stumbled upon this GAME CHANGER: use a fork. It drains the milk for you! The mission really is the best 1.5 years FOR your life.

Love big! Love hard!
Sister Rex

Sister Ferrell: "no." I hope I handle all rejections as good as that one!

26.8lbs of study material in this bag!!!

Morley Farm be looking fineeee

Candid pic with our car that I'm not allowed to drive (yet)

"You're not going to like this..."

I could have sat on the porch all night long, the whole sky glowed!

Have trouble keeping track of your mask? A fashionable and efficient solution.

THE BOYS

The most shocking night of leg, arm and stick wrestling

PSA

Week 8 - June 22, 2020

POV: you're walking down the hill from the temple when you see it. A WALL of rain coming towards you.
RUN.
"I think we can make it to the VC!"
Boom. The rain pounded down from the sky, I have never seen it come down with such power so suddenly.

Ohio rain baby! Comes and goes and leaves you with a beautiful evening to enjoy.

As I said the words "Dear Heavenly Father," yesterday, I couldn't seem to picture my Heavenly Father. I tried to imagine what He looks like or what He's doing and I couldn't.

This frustrated me. My mind stretched to figure out why. And then I remembered a story that we share in the School of Prophets here in Kirtland. Heavenly Father appeared to a room of men. They SAW Him. And yet, as they tried to fully comprehend His personage, it slipped from them. "But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months that I never felt before to that degree."

John Murdock saw the face of God and when He later tried to picture Him, he couldn't fully see Him. But what he did know and FEEL was the love that Heavenly Father had for him.

And that hit me. I can't physically see my Heavenly Father, but as I look back in my life, I see and feel God's love. That's how He shows Himself to us, through love! He is there. For every single one of you. Take time today to recognize and feel the love that Heavenly Father has for you.

I do what I do because of love! I was one told, "you are only as bold as your love." Hence the reason that I close my emails like I do.

Love big! Love hard!
Sister Rex

PSA: our sites don't open for at least 3 more weeks, so our time is designated for virtual tours! Anyone and everyone can sign up for one, just shoot me an email:')

Come @ us virtual tours; we ready

No sidewalks, no problems

Started with 2, now we here

Ready for our evening stroll

Sister Eyre and I will be keeping our pics classy

You can't tell, but THE RAIN

Mr. Tom's birthday cupcakes

Let the studies begin

Pink skies, happy girl

She Back.

Week 7 - June 15, 2020

Think of all your very favorite little grandma and grandpas. Every single one of them is here in Kirtland, Ohio. These senior couples have us wrapped around their little finger.

Old people: smiles.
Us: hearts melt.

"Don't tell the Isaacs." This is the motto of the senior couples here. They are too stinkin funny, always cooking up some mischief. What makes it even funnier is that our Presidents, the Isaacs, are the most chill, sweet people, encouraging us to do all the things that the other senior couples tell us not to tell them.

20 sister missionaries. 6 cute senior couples. Beautiful and sacred Kirtland. I'll let you do the math. I am having the absolute time of my life here. The only time that I've cried is thinking about leaving this place. "It's so beautiful" comes out of my mouth a bazillion times a day.

To walk where Joseph Smith walked, to study revelations in the same rooms that they were received, to live where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared (the Morley Farm was the first of four places where the Father and the Son appeared in Kirtland and I live on that farm with 3 sisters, just a mile away from the rest of the sites where everyone else lives.) The feelings and the experiences I have here are so raw and real. I AM SO HAPPY. MY HEART IS SO FULL. I wish that each of you could experience it for yourselves!

Speaking of experiencing Kirtland... we can give virtual tours to any family and friends! So come one, come all, give me an email if you ever want to take a peek at where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints grew up.

Work hard play hard has never been a more true phrase. We are working our bums off studying, receiving and giving tours, but we are having way too much fun to be on a mission. A brief synopsis of our week: shopping (I need to be stopped, my closet is so full) walking up to the temple and getting ice cream, pj movie night in our theater room (anything Disney plus is a go) hiking, another temple walk and ice cream, games and dessert with our fav senior couple, game night with all the sisters, visiting the "beach," sightseeing every morning and hanging with our sisters and bestie grandparents when we're not studying. Imma have a hard time adjusting to Cali after this.

I wish I could send you a voice message so you could hear how much I feel this. IF YOU UNDERSTOOD SOMEONE'S STORY, YOU WOULD LOVE THEM. People need to be heard and they need to be loved. There is so much more to a person than what appears on the outside.This week there has been many a sweet experience getting to know and love not just my sisters, but the random people of Ohio that we run into. I encourage you all to take time to see those around you for who they are: children of God.

Sister Rex is back. And she is here to stay!

Love big! Love Hard!
Sister Rex

Airport crew.

Traveling in style.

Social distancing, but the second the camera was gone she was chatting right next to us.

The cutest back porch.

Your friendly district leaders, Sister Smith and Sister Rex. Take 1

Your friendly district leaders, Sister Smith and Sister Rex. Take 2

Just pretty stuff right here.

Game night! Code names makes or breaks some companionships. Human knot is also a great bonding experience and a good practice of social distancing.

Our walk up to the temple. Working off the ice cream.

Pictures give it no justice! I love our house!

Temporary Release!

Weeks 5-6 - May 23 - June 7, 2020

Sister Rex completed her online MTC training May 22 and was temporarily released until June 7 when she was set apart again. She lived life hard and had many adventures during her two-week recess.

"Maple Mountain," just north of Spanish Fork Peak (snow prevented us from getting there)

Gary and Debbie Rex Family
May 2020

Start Thinking: Words that make YOU smile

Week 4 - May 22, 2020

Alexa play "Quarter Past Midnight" because this girl can listen to music and stay awake a quarter past midnight for the next 2 weeks. My MTC experience has wrapped up and I will be temporarily released until June 8th! I GET TO GO TO KIRTLAND. When all the pandemic madness hit, I had no fear. I knew that I would make it to Kirtland. Then the church announced the closing of all church history sites and my heart froze. I remember rereading my mission call with tears streaming down my face because I wanted, so badly, to be there. Something I had been so sure of was suddenly out of reach. It seemed impossible that I would go to Kirtland.

But, my friends, we know that as we align our will with God's will that He takes care of us. What we have in mind isn't always what God has in store for us. That's the hard part, trusting that He knows better than we do. But as we exercise faith in Him, the impossible becomes possible. I GET TO GO TO KIRTLAND. I will say those words over and over again, each time with the biggest grin on my face.

In just 3 1/2 weeks of being a missionary I feel like my heart has grown 3 1/2 sizes bigger. I have loved my experiences as a missionary. But I have had my days where something is off, where something is missing or I feel like I am falling short. And it is in those times that my heart has grown, as I have turned to God and been able to find the good amidst the clouds of darkness*. It is so vital that we turn to God, that we see His hand in our lives. Whether it is a feeling that you have, a friend reaching out, being outside or really anything good, recognize that it is Heavenly Father showing you that He is AWARE of YOU and LOVES YOU. You just have to open your eyes and heart to see and feel Him there.

*Clouds of darkness sounds dramatic, I simply mean anything that isn't typically viewed as good

ACTION REQUIRED: take time today to be still. Take a moment to really open your heart and think "how have I seen God's hand in my life today?"
When you have done that, or if you are willing to do that, EMAIL ME ONE WORD THAT MAKES YOU SMILE.

Love big! Love hard!
Sister Rex

Katie graduated!!!

She handled it much better than I did #19🤟

New year, same me. Cried through her whole drive thru graduation.

Handshakes to Hugs

Week 3 - May 14, 2020

It's no secret; I'm not a hugger. It's not that I dislike hugs, I actually love them. Some of my most treasured memories are centered around a good hug. I just also am content without physical touch at times. But handshakes! I just love them. Nothing beats a solid handshake. Professional, classy, firm and at the same time they can be silly, sweet and fun. So you can imagine how happy I am as a missionary! Handshakes all day everyday!

But ever since becoming a missionary, I have received some of the best, BEST hugs.

My favorite hugs from this week: 
-MY SISTER COMPANIONS. We met up for the first time and we were all beaming with excitement as we rolled up. After getting to know and love these girls, being with them in person was so special! We ran into each other’s arms and I never wanted to let go. 
-Some of my beans! When 4 cute faces popped up on my porch I lit up! They’ve been with me through it all and it makes my heart so happy that we can now all share our missionary experiences together! I sure love them.

Something about that missionary hug. Maybe it’s because social distancing says “no touch, 6 feet” or that as a missionary you can only hug girls that now make hugs so appealing to me, but I will never forget running and holding onto my girls. It’s that Sister bond!

An image that has brought me so much comfort is found in 2 Nephi 1:15 "The Lord hath redeemed my soul... I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." I cannot wait for the day that we will return to Him and run into His arms. His arms are full of love for each one of us!

Go hug someone you love! Tell them how much you appreciate them. For real. Go do it right now. I'm holding you accountable. 

It's no secret; I am now a hugger. 

Love big! Love hard!
Sister Rex

My companions! Sister Tuiaki and Sister Ferrell

5/7 beans (missed you Abby and Brin!)

Want What You Want #wwyw

Week 2 - May 7, 2020

"You better want what you want because you're going to get it." My mission prep teacher said this one time in class and I raised my eyebrow to it. That seemed totally wrong, life happens and you don't always get what you want. 

I stand corrected. 

How is the MTC you ask? I LOVE IT. Everything about it has been SO good, I have had so many experiences already that have strengthened my testimony and desire to share the gospel. I wish that it was longer because 2 1/2 weeks seems so short. 

Boom. Minutes after telling someone this I received an email saying that I have an extra week in the MTC due to my assignment to Kirtland. We need some extra training to apply our purpose to the Historic Sites. 

Almost 2 months ago a friend joked about how crazy it would be if he got reassigned to Bakersfield. I chuckled a little, said "I would pee my pants, no one goes to Bakersfield," and thought nothing more of it. 

Here I am peeing my pants. Because that person just got reassigned to the California Bakersfield Mission. I was absolutely shook. Sorry to anyone who lives on Cranberry Way in Springville, this was the news that caused me to yell "You. Are. Joking. I AM PEEING RIGHT NOW." (I found this to be the only phrase to adequately describe how I was feeling.) My "wants" became reality.

You heard it here first. May 7, 2020. I want to be a super fit grandma that owns a cute ranch with horses and corn fields and wrecks her grandchildren in spikeball. I will let you know in 40 years if you really do get what you want. 

Real talk. Want what you want. #wwyw Sometimes Heavenly Father gives us what we want, but we are too distracted to see it, or our wants have changed and we want something bigger and better. Want your wants when they become your reality! He knows the desires of our hearts and in the end, we really will get what we want. As you put your trust in God, everything will work out for your benefit. In the moment you may not like what you get, but there is always a lesson to be learned and you will find that God gives you what you want (even if you don't realize you want it at the time). Appreciate what you get! Look for the opportunities that arise with every situation!

I briefly mentioned earlier that I have loved everything about my MTC experience. And I will say it again. I LOVE IT. But it's not just the MTC that I love, it's the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the people that I've met. It's the experiences that I have each day because of it. I could go on and on about the good and the light and my heart feeling like it is about to burst from happiness. But those experiences are near and dear to my heart and will mean something quite different to every single one of you. I will share them as I feel inspired to do so! All I can say is that this is a time of life that is shaping the person that I hope I can someday become. The. Gospel. Of. Jesus. Christ. Is. Amazing. It will change you if you allow it to. 

My capacity and ability to love has been the biggest change that I've noticed in myself in my 8 days as a missionary. An Elder shared with me his lack of confidence in himself. As I opened my mouth to respond, the words just came out. And then he was silent. I was scared I'd overstepped and been too bold with what I had said. Then his head tilted and I saw something click. "I have never thought of it that way." In that moment, I saw his potential and felt the love that God had for this Elder. 

Here is my weekly invitation for you. Find your own sacred grove. What would have happened if Joseph Smith hadn't acted on his desire to feel and know for himself? God is our Heavenly Father who loves you and wants nothing more than to hear from you. Find a place that is away from all of the noise of the world and open your heart to Him. What will happen if you don't? Maybe nothing, but I can promise you that if you do, opportunities that will strengthen you and those around you will come. 

Love big! Love hard!
Sister Rex

Welcome to my office. (aka the Bishop's office. This picture is for the one and only Doug Mousser.)

Running buddies! William: "That wasn't bad but I would have thrown up if it was any longer."

Lunch break views

Feeling like a real mish after biking home through the rain (the before pic because it was cuter than the end result)

THE RELIEF AFTER OUR FIRST TRC

My companion for the day :)