What Made Me

When I was 13, almost 14, my mom was in the stake young women's presidency.  That particular year our stake did a pioneer trek.  I grew up near the mountains and therefore we literally started our trek from the Lion's Park (I think).  I really didn't want to go, none of my friends were going.  Most of them were too young, but because I was turning 14 that year, I was eligible.  And my mom was making me go.  We had to wear the long skirts and bonnets.  The only thing we were allowed to take was a sleeping bag.  We really were roughing it.  We were divided into families and given a deer cart to haul our sleeping bags and allotted water.  After a grueling day of hiking, we arrived and had chicken broth for dinner.  I was so hungry and tired!  It was not fun.  Later that night Indians raided our camp.  They were painted, dressed up, and may have even rode bareback on their horses.  They tipped over our things and made threats.  Of course the whole thing was staged, but no one knew it was coming and it was a little scary.  

The next day we had boiled wheat for breakfast.  I don't remember much else we did that day except the part where they put us all in a big circle and let loose a bunch of chickens.  Each family was responsible to catch one, slaughter it, pluck it, and cook it.  Those chickens were fast.  But eventually there was a lot of blood.  This excited most of the guys.  Especially the part where they took the ax and chopped off the heads.  I did some of the plucking.  We later cooked our chickens and ate them.  

We also returned home that day.  Since the first day was mostly uphill, it didn't take us too long to get home.  And I think we were all anxious for a shower, toothbrush, toilet, and food.  Up to that point in my life it was the hardest thing that I have ever done.  

At this point in my life I had never thought about going on a mission.  My mom didn't go and I just never really thought about going myself.  When I was 19 years old, I met Nicole.  She had always wanted to go on a mission and had life all planned out, she's really organized like that.  We had an experience together where I felt the spirit so strong.  I was 20 years old and my testimony was burning inside me.  I knew that I knew the church was true.  I wanted to shout it out and I thought, "How can I not go on a mission?"  From that point on, it was decided, I was going on a mission.  

My mission later replaced the pioneer trek as the hardest thing I have ever done.  And later having 1 year old twins and a newborn replaced my mission as the hardest thing.  And sometimes Ethan alone can replace them all as the hardest thing I have had to deal with.  Leading the music in Sacrament Meeting is right up there too, but that has gotten easier.  But they are all so precious to my heart and I would never change those experiences for anything.  

They have shaped me into who I really am.  I remember how devastated I was when my mission ended.  The last day I had in my area, my companion finally got after me.  "Sister, you have got to stop crying, your eyes will be swollen shut!"  I can't wait for the day in heaven when I will be reunited with the people of Brazil.  I love them so much.  It brings tears to my eyes as I write about them now.  I can't wait.  I am so grateful for my mission.  

It was such a scary thing to do.  I was all on my own, no family, no phone calls, no friends, no familiarity.  But it was there that I really learned to depend on the Lord.  It was there that I gained confidence in myself and learned to make personal covenants with the Lord.  I would do it again in a heartbeat!  It is like that feeling you get when you finish a 1/2 marathon (or any other big accomplishment), you feel so empowered, like you can do anything in the world.  Only better because the work you do is for eternity.  It amazes me how much strength a mission can give you throughout your life.  It was the perfect spring board for the life ahead of me then and now.     

Missionary Memories

Me with President and Sister Wallace. This was taken just after I arrived. It was the longest flight of my life!

When I grow up I to be like Sister Wallace.  She is the wife of my mission president and one of my most very favorite people in the world.  I don't think there could be a better role model or example.  She is humble, sincere, spiritual, kind, and loving.  Last night as I hugged her goodbye, she held my arms, looked me in the eye and said, "I love you Lara, do you know that?  I really love you."  And I know she really means it.  And she really feels that way about everyone.  Last year I went to Women's Conference with her downtown.  We passed a homeless person on our way.  It was raining and it was cold.  I remember how difficult it was for her to continue driving, and not do anything to help.  You could tell how desprately she wanted to offer a ride or do something.  That is just the way she is.  If my mission did nothing else for me, it allowed me to know and love someone like Sister Wallace.  And just for that reason alone, I could count it as a blessing, but it was a blessing for that reason and many, many others.  

My mission president and his wife are leaving on their 6th mission to serve in the temple at Palmyra, New York.  So they held a missionary reunion at their house last night.  I honestly didn't really know the elders from my mission and my companions most likely wouldn't be there.  But like I said, I love President and Sister Wallace and wanted to at least go and see them.  So we went and it was great.  I got to see my very first companion and it was a happy reunion.  She married an American and lives in Utah County.  I recognized a few of the elders and even some of the sisters.  It was late when we got home, but first thing this morning I got out my missionary scrapbook and went through it.  It has been fun and it was such a great prelude to conference.  What an amazing day of inspiration!  And I was so excited that they sang "Consider the Lilies."  Don't you just love that song?  I do.  My good friend Tiffany sang it at my missionary farewell, it is one of my all time favorites.  

I get so busy and consumed being a mom that I literally do forget who I am.  Going through all of my missionary stuff reminded me how strong I used to be.  I know I am strong now, but it is easy to forget.  I have to be and do so much for so many different people, but back then it was just me who I had to worry about.  After listening to all of the great messages this morning, hearing Sister Wallace and President Wallace speak last night, and remembering my mission, I am ready to be a better me.  I want to be as strong as I used to be.   

Sister Peireira and I.  She was one of my favorite companions!

Sister Stephens (the other American and also my MTC companion) and I met up at the bus stop in Florianopolis.

Sister Batista and I taught and baptized this family. They later went on a mission to Africa and are now serving in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Sister Ribeiro (my first companion) and I.

Washing clothes on p-day. As you can tell by the scowl on my face, this was my least favorite part of the mission!