The Call

March 6, 2014

I received my mission call to the Arizona Mesa Mission.

I was studying in the MC building at BYU-I when I received a phone call from my roommate, I answered the phone to hear excited screaming on the other end... Somehow among-st the screams I deciphered, "Your mission call is here!!" My hands started to shake as I tried to pack up my laptop and books. My heart was pounding and as I rushed to leave, my hand hit my fruit cup -- sending pair and peach chunks flying all over the table... Classic me.

I ran from the MC to our apartment, frosty Rexburg "spring" air blowing my hair all directions. I made it home and my roommates were thoughtful enough to leave my call in the mailbox so I could open and take it out myself -- so sweet. I called my mom to let her know and then...... the wait began. (I had to wait for my dad to return home from work so I could Skype my family as I opened the call that held the news for where I would spend the next year and a half of my life)

A few hours later, I tore right into that packet! My heart was pounding still and I felt as if I was having an out of body experience (so dramatic, right?) My lips stumbled as I tried to read aloud the words, "Dear Sister Kohler..." A bit of disappointment hit my stomach when I read the words, "Arizona Mesa" and then shock when I read "Mesa Temple Visitors' Center".

For anyone who asked me where I wanted to go, I had three responses: foreign, or anywhere Spanish speaking, and NO visitors' centers!

I WAS so excited to finally have my call, there was never a thought to not accept it. I had a testimony of prophets and of modern day revelation, I knew my call came from God. But was I not good enough to go to Germany, or to learn Spanish? Was I just a nice girl, to be the "face of the Church" in a visitors' center, as some people had said?

I remember talking to my older (and wiser) brother, and sharing these feelings with him. Then he asked me a question that I already knew the answer to but that really shocked me at the time, "Bekah, why are you serving a mission? Is it because you want to have an adventure? Or is it because you want to serve the Lord?" Of course I wanted to serve the Lord! I would go anywhere and do whatever He wanted me to do. And that became enough.

>><<

March 8, 2015

A year later and eight months into my mission...

"... whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." D&C 1:38

There is no question in my mind whether I was called by God or not. Whether this is where I'm meant to be at this time or not. I have witnessed many miracles. I have seen people change, most of all I have changed. I have gained a stronger assurance now, more than ever before, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; that the Book of Mormon is true and it is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration, that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today, and that God surely does love His children.

I am meant to be here, yes in Mesa, Arizona; spending half of my days so near to the house of the Lord. I wouldn't trade this time for anything else in the world. For this is where I have come to know God.

Your call, where ever it may be, whether it's where you wanted to go or not will become a sacred place for you, if you will let it. You might find yourself calling it "the promised land" or "the waters of Mormon" or even "Zion". You will never love any place quite the same as the place where you have been called to serve. 

s i s t e r - h o o d

"Give me a young woman who has kept herself morally clean and has faithfully attended her Church meetings. Give me a young woman who has magnified her callings and has earned her Personal Progress award and stayed true to the For the Strength of Youth. Give me a young woman who is a seminary graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me such a young woman and I will give you a young woman who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout her life."

>> Ezra Taft Benson <<

Mesa Temple Visitors' Center Missionaries

I grew up in between two brothers and didn't have any sisters.
During high school and in college I tended to have more friends that were boys than girls. This was a scary thought for me when I started my mission papers! I wasn't used to being around a bunch of other girls, I really wanted to serve my Heavenly Father, but I knew that would mean having a companion that I may or may not get along with.

When I received my mission call to serve at the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center I was a little surprised and very nervous! Not only would I have a companion, but I would be surrounded with many other sister missionaries for 18 months.

What if I had to start wearing more make-up?
What if I felt judged?
What if they were all prettier than me?
What if I had to start liking pink?
What if we don't get a long?

As silly as those questions may sound, these and many other questions were running through my mind during the months before my mission. Boy, was I scared!


>>><<<

Hermanas Anderson and Lund - Sisters Kohler and Beach

It didn't take me too long to figure out that this is the exact place where I needed to be for the next 18 months.

When I stepped into the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center, I instantly became a part of a family. I was welcomed and had someone to talk to at every turn. I am so grateful to be a part of a wonderful group of 'stripling warrior' women. These sisters have become my everything, they are my family and my best friends, being with these sisters is like being home. I hardly go a day without thanking my Heavenly Father for being called to serve in the Arizona Mesa Mission, and the Visitors' Center.

"I love the WOMEN of the Church. I have seen their STRENGTH. I have seen their FAITH. They have something to give, and they're willing to give it."

>> Linda K. Burton <<

Goodbye hug / Sister Tamarauwa -- from Kiribati

~ Sister Kohler ~

inside - out

Inside - Out



As girls (even sister missionaries) we are constantly worried about how we look -- if we're pretty enough.

Photo Credit : Sister Jaleisa Dori Jones

I remember in high school there was a girl, a couple years older than me, that I really admired. I thought she was SO beautiful. She seemed to have a glow and all the friends and happiness in the world. One day, a while after this girl had graduated, I realized something I hadn't before: her beauty came from within. I knew what kind of girl she was because of how she acted. She was modest in dress, and kind, she attended seminary and participated regularly, I knew she read her scriptures and had a relationship with the Savior.

"Beauty comes from the heart

It's something that always starts on the inside

Pretty comes with a glow, its something that always grows from the inside 

When you smile"

>> Aaliyah Rose - Inside Out <<

Receiving His Image in Our Countenance

Photo Credit : Megan Cox

Now, on my mission, I have the opportunity to be surrounded by so many missionaries and lots of different people, and I have noticed something; there is something about the light of Christ that makes people beautiful. There really IS a light that comes into our countenance as our relationship with Him grows. We become happier, kinder, and people recognize it -- though they may not know where it comes from. 

We become more beautiful because we are more like Him.

"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church... Have ye received his image in your countenances?"

>> Alma 5:14 <<

"When you live close to God and His infinite grace, you wont have to tell -- it will show in your face."
>> Unknown <<

~ Sister Kohler ~

CHANGE

It has often been said that the only constant in life is change. Boy, I don't think there is any better place to learn that than the mission field. 

Because of Him, we can change

This past transfer I have learned so much about change, and the power each of us have to change. 

"The greatest miracle of all is the changing of the human heart."
>> Cloyd Christensen <<

Just as I was feeling comfortable in my area and with regular missionary work, I was asked to train a brand new missionary coming straight from the MTC! That in itself was a frightening prospect for me... And then I found out that not only would I be training a new missionary, but I would be training her in a brand new area! Two new wards plus Visitors' Center duties. Well, I was surprised and nervous to say the least. 
I was scared for the change, for the responsibility, all of it really! I prayed more than I ever had the previous months of my mission. I prayed that He would help me in my new calling and strengthen me in my weakness. The Lord truly does call us in our weakness. 

~ Baby Beach ~ 

There is another kind of change, somewhat different than circumstance and surroundings, It is the changing of the human heart. 
So often in life I have found myself in a position where I needed to change my heart. It has not been easy and oh, how it has been hard! Changing our hearts can hurt, it can be very difficult; in fact, it is rarely easy, but it can be just what we need -- and it often is. 

I have a testimony of change and the miracles that it can bring. I have learned humility, the power of faith, diligence, I have learned to rely on my Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven. 

"For with God, nothing shall be impossible." 
>> Luke 1:37 <<

I know He has someone magnificent in store for me to be, I am more than my weaknesses, I can accomplish all things through my Savior. I love my mission and the blessings it brings.

Cassie's baptism ~ Age 9

"There is nothing so unchanging, so inevitable as change itself... There is a constant that allows us to use change for our own good, and that constant is the revealed eternal truths of our Heavenly Father."
"Very few of us feel adequate to meet those changes with our own talents. How grateful we can be for the strength of Jesus Christ which helps us with the changes brought by new callings and increased responsibilities." 
>> Marvin J. Ashton <<


~Sister Kohler ~

The Book of Mormon Project

Today I was on exchanges with Hermana Hurd, this was a contact we made:

*walking up to a lady in her driveway who is vacuuming out her van* 

Missionaries, "Hello, how are you doing today?"

*lady turns around*

"You Jehovah's Witnesses?"

Missionaries, "No..."

Lady, "You Mormons?"

Well... anyway... she wasn't interested. 

Are we Mormons? We are disciples of Jesus Christ! His representatives! We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! But we know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. And in honor of the great prophet, Mormon, who compiled our sacred book of scripture, we are sometimes referred to as "Mormons".

This has been on my mind the passed week. If others really knew what we believed as members of the Church, would they respect us? Would they be willing to understand why we are called "Mormons"? And what that really means? 

600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ a prophet named Lehi was commanded from God, our Heavenly Father, to leave Jerusalem and take his family to the American continent. For 600 years these people learned, prophesied and testified about Jesus Christ; that He would someday come to earth and perform an infinite Atonement, just as the prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible recorded. Christ was born and the sign of the star was given, recorded in the Bible and in the scripture from the American prophets. Christ set up His Church, performed miracles, and taught the Gospel; He performed the Atonement, was crucified and resurrected after 3 days, as recorded in the New Testament. After the Savior left His apostles with the charge of preaching the Gospel in Jerusalem, he appeared to the descendants of Lehi in the Americas. He taught them the Gospel, called twelve apostles, and performed miracles among them, just as He did in Jerusalem -- this is recorded in the Book of Mormon. 

We are not trying to change or detract from anyone's belief. We are simply sharing what we know to be true, what we know will bless lives. 

And we invite: 

Here is the evidence. Read it for yourself, and ask God if it is true.

***CHECK OUT THESE LINKS***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GqZd6louKI

http://thebookofmormonproject.wordpress.com/



~ Sister Kohler ~

Welcome One and All!

                      

Well to get things started, I thought I would introduce myself a bit:
First, here's a (not-so-great) picture of me! So far, I have been serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for about four months now at the Arizona Mesa Temple Visitors' Center and in the Mesa Mountain View Stake.

My trainer was Sister Becca Younce, she has since finished her mission and returned home to North Carolina, I love and miss her -- she was a wonderful missionary! She taught me the importance of being bold, to never hold back what you know to be right.
During our time as companions, Sister Younce and I were able to help Shelby prepare for baptism! He has been baptized for almost a month now, has already been blessing and passing the sacrament, and in fact, he is speaking at stake conference this evening! I have never met anyone more sincere in their testimony nor anyone who has as much faith as this man does. His faith in the Savior is immeasurable oh how I have grown to love him.

My current companion is Sister Medalit Rios, from Lima, Peru! She is so knowledgeable! I have only been companions with her for a little over a week but we get a long great and I am positive that we are going to see some miracles as the holidays role into Mesa! (we also like to laugh A LOT)

 I ADORE being a missionary -- in no way has it been easy, but I wouldn't trade a single second of it. After all, "The greatest and most important duty is to spread the gospel." And boy, do you learn a lot on a mission! I have learned that as Latter-day Saints we have quite the responsibility. President Monson once reminded and council-ed:

"'Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light' (1 Pet.2:9) This is the destiny of every Latter-day Saint if he or she will live for the fulfillment of that destiny."

We must make living up to our divine destiny our purpose! Our Heavenly Father has not sent us here to earth to simply be, He sent us here to become what we were always created to be -- His glorious sons and daughters, capable of His majesty.
In the same address, President Monson gives us a formula to become such:

"First, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love."

All three of these are made possible through the Savior, Jesus Christ. May we always remember Him, and apply His loving, intimate Atonement in our daily lives -- that is the way to true joy.

~ Sister Kohler ~