Love is in the Air in Three Months Time.

On February 14, Kelsie hit her three month mark.  Everyday seemed like a hundred at first, but now the days are going by like seconds.  She states, "She now feels as if she is immersed in missionary work."  The highlight of those months was the baptism for Susan DeMedeiros on February 2, 2013.  Kelsie and Susan have a very special connection, which occurred since the first time they met.  Sister Mason describes Susan as forever friend.  She hopes that she will be able to go to the temple with her in a year.

Recently President and Sister Watkins invited a few missionaries to their home.  During the visit, they served them dinner, went sightseeing on the beach, shopped, and had a sleepover.  There were eleven sister missionaries and eight elders.  "It was so nice.  I didn't realize how much I had missed just socializing and relaxing with friends." stated Kelsie.  Kelsie has always been a social butterfly and would jump to the opportunity to have that interaction with great missionaries.  Sister Mason also mentions time and time again how much she loves and respects her mission president and his wife.  She would love to visit them after her mission and wants to continue to keep in touch with them.

Sorry Image is bad quality

Sister Kim, Kelsie's first companion, flies home to Korea on Wednesday, February 20.  Kelsie enjoyed having Kim as her missionary companion.  Kim will be missed.  Kelsie is excited to meet her new companion, and is anxious to find out if she will be a trainer.  Her mission President told her that there was an 80% chance that she would be training (which is very likely with a rush of new greenies coming in).  She is a little scared, but very excited to see what the Lord has planned for her.

Kelsie still lives with the little lady that they call, "Grandma".  She has Alzheimer's, and every night she asks Kelsie who she is, Kelsie tells her, and then Grandma kisses Kelsie goodnight and tells her that she loves her.  Sister Mason has such a loving and kind heart.  She is a blessing in Grandma's life and Grandma is a blessing in hers.  Kelsie loves "Grandma" too.

We are so proud of our Sister missionary.  She is fulfilling her role in life and is bringing those lost sheep to the fold!  Kelsie is enjoying the mission and knows that this is what the Lord had planned for her.  We love you Kels and are praying for you.  Thank you to all those who have our missionary in your hearts and prayers.  It is appreciated.  Kelsie loves you all and would love to hear from you.  If you need Kelsie's address, it is listed below:

Sister Kelsie Mason
2164 Monterey Ave.
Santa Clara, CA
95051

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bring on the New Year

The New Year brings new outlooks on life not for only us, but for our little missionary! Sister Mason was pleased to announce that she has been having a wonderful time and the weeks are flying by! She stated that, "This is the last week of the transfer and after this I will NO LONGER be a GREENIE." Greenie (n.) A missionary new from the MTC. Kelsie shared this experience:

At district meeting last week Elder Thomas, the Zone Leader, said that as long as you are trying your hardest to reach all your goals you will find people to teach and your efforts will be magnified. Now, I know this idea has been shared with me before, but I actually put it into action this week and I can testify (look at me being all missionary-like) that it works. We reached nearly all of our goals and we saw blessings all week through our efforts.


For example:
Yesterday was the last day of the week and we still had 68 street contacts to get before dinner. (We have the goal of 150 contacts a week). Sunday was overcast and rainy and I was afraid that there would be no one on the streets- which had been the reason we weren't finished with our contacts yet. I prayed and fasted all day that we would be able to contact enough people to meet our goals. I am sure you can already anticipate where this is going, but we went to one street and as expected NO ONE was out. We did manage to get 11 people though and then decided to go to a different location up in Mountain View (the area of vineyards-very cute fancy places up that way, but people usually don't like to stop.) There were TONS of people! and even though most were in route from point A to B they at least took our pass-along cards. In 45 minutes we had contacted I think 82 people. Prayers work.

Sister Mason was pleased to be in contact with an amazing lady, Susan. She is very excited about the progress that Susan has shown! Susan will be baptized in four weeks and is striving to bring the spirit into her very Catholic home. Kelsie hopes that she can watch Susan go through the Temple before she comes home. Keslie was able to spend New Years Eve with some members from the ward. Brother and Sister Fitzpatrick was kind enough to let our missionary have a place to eat and celebrate such an event. Kelsie had a good time but is also looking forward to homemade Chinese Food come 2014.


Sister Mason has rebounded very well after having a homesick Christmas. We are proud of her and are praying for her success and comfort. Kelsie is blessing so many lives, but more then that she is being blessed by those she is teaching. We are so thankful to have a missionary. Kelsie is so thankful for your prayers and kind words. We hope you all had a Happy New Year!

A Merry Christmas!

When Kelsie was first called to the San Jose mission, she was well informed that it was a "Service Pilot" misson.  Which means that she will be participating in a lot of service projects.  On average, they do ten hours of service a week.  This past service project, the zone arranged to clear branches from a mountainside.  Little did they know, it was filled with poison oak.  The whole zone got infected and blistered.  One Elder had to get steroid shots, some had to take a steroid medicine, and the rest received a topical cream.  On Christmas Kelsie's arms were so swollen, she couldn't get her sweater off.

Kelsie is currently in Santa Clara, California.  Sister Kim and herself lives with an older member, and refer to her as "Grandma".  Just like all Grandmas, She had a solution for Kelsie's case.  Kelsie loaded up on Vitamin E and is doing much better.  Instead of her blisters oozing, they are now hard and flaky.  The itch comes and goes, but she is on the rebound!

For Christmas we had the opportunity to Skype with Sister Mason.  She was a little emotional as it would be seeing everyone on such a "Family-based" holiday.  But Kelsie is very strong and knows that she is there to do the Lord's work and to bless those in the San Jose mission.  Just a week after Christmas, Mama Shannon (Kelsie's Mom), received an email from a lady that had the chance to be with our little missionary. This is the e-mail:

I am Beth Ball here in Sunnyvale, CA. I just spent a very nice evening with Sister Mason and Sister Kim and thought I would email you a picture and hello from her. We just went up to the Oakland Temple tonight with Susan DeMedeiros (their investigator) along with Alyssa Lunny from our ward. Susan is set to be baptized on February 2nd. Your daughter has been a real blessing in helping in this conversation process.
Susan has had a very special connection with Sister Mason. Susan once said that when she listens to Sister Mason it is like listening to an angel. The VERY first day Sister Mason was here from the MTC, Susan was her first discussion that night. During a part of the discussion, Susan had said that she was still struggling with gaining a testimony of Joseph Smith. Sister Mason boldly asked Susan if she would pray about it--right now. So we all got on our knees right there and Susan prayed (I think that was her first public prayer) and fervently prayed and asked. We all quietly stayed there on our knees for several seconds after. Then Sister Mason asked "what are you feeling?" Susan answered "I feel very peaceful." I knew that we had a special missionary here. You should be very proud. What a blessing she must be to you. She is doing a GREAT job.
I also feel a special connection with your daughter. She went into the MTC on the very same day as my daughter: November 14th. Knowing that she was there with my daughter is a very special thought to me. My daughter is still there learning Spanish. When I told her that Sister Mason had Susan get down and pray about Joseph Smith, she emailed back "Sister Mason immediately put into action exactly what they teach us in the MTC. Good for her!"
Know that your daughter is well and doing good work. She is an excellent missionary and we all love and appreciate her here. Thank you for preparing her and sending her to us. Susan has been accepting the gospel as a result of the inspired teaching from Sister Mason and Sister Kim.

Merry Christmas!
 Beth Ball

Attached with the email was this picture of Sister Kim, Beth, and Sister Mason.  We are so proud of our missionary and the progress she is making!  Her testimony is growing and she is truly doing the Lord's work.  Kelsie is very thankful for all those that sent their love this Christmas Season.  She knows that she has a lot of support back home!  Thank you to all that have helped Kelsie and our family!  Happy New Year!

Adjusting is a part of the Journey

To start off, you must know that this is not Sister Mason.  This is merely those who have the privilege of writing about such a wonderful Sister.

How lucky we are to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard.  Though we all know that this is just a short goodbye, it doesn't change the dreaded reality.

Sister Mason was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by President Johnson on November 13, 2012.  She was given a wonderful blessing and was well prepared to start this new chapter of her life.

Kelsie made her journey into the MTC on November 14, 2012.  This day was filled with very strong emotions as we all knew what was to come. Well prepared for the quick unload and rush of the MTC, we decided to take our time and enjoy a meal and visit to the Provo Temple.  With a few pictures to capture our last moments together, Kelsie started saying goodbyes.  Though it was hard, Kelsie was very strong and held her composure.  Sister Mason was escorted to the MTC by her sister Shaylie, along with her Mother and Father.  As we drove up to our assigned unloading spot, she was greeted by two young missionaries.  Before we knew it, all her bags were unloaded and she was ready to go.  With last hugs and words of encouragement, Sister Mason was handed over to do the Lord's work.

Sister Mason spent three weeks in the MTC.  She was well prepared from many dreaded stories that she had heard, but she enjoyed it!  She was able to spend Thanksgiving there and had the privilege of having Elder Holland and his family speak.  Kelsie had two wonderful companions, Sister Young from LA, and Sister Watchline from Chicago.  Though the days became repetitive at the MTC, it was a good growing experience for Kelsie.

Kelsie departed the MTC on December 5, 2012.  After a quick phone call to her Mother, She was San Jose bound.  She was greeted at the Airport by her Mission President, President and Sister Watkins.  Sister Mason thinks the world of her Mission President.  Kelsie's first companion in the field is Sister Kim from Korea.  She has been in the field for seventeen months and will be returning home in about a month.  San Jose brought knew emotions out of Kelsie.  "Being a missionary is hard."- Sister Kelsie Mason.  Being away from home during the Christmas season is something that every missionary dreads.  Though every missionary has their struggles, we all know she will get through this tough patch.  Kelsie is never one that wants people to feel sorry for her but I know that your prayers and thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.  Sister Mason would want you all to know that she loves the Lord's work and the people of San Jose.

Kelsie's current address is the following:

Sister Kelsie Mason
2164 Monterey Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95051

She would love to hear from all of you and could use some words of encouragement during this Christmas Season.  Merry Christmas.

Start with a goodbye.

I have to begin with a goodbye because I am leave.
Sounds like an odd way for a beginning, but without a goodbye there would be no story.

Life is never going to be the same after this.

There are moments during life that change who we have been to who we will be and there is no turning back. And I am just on the brink of jumping from my current state to the next.

People ask if I am nervous and to be honest I don't feel nervous- not tonight, I am in the Lord's hands.

I would ask you to wish me luck, but I don't need it. I don't need luck when I have the Lord on my side.

Farewell.

I have left Mom in charge of this blog of mine, shall the games begin!

My first "goodbye"

I could have straightened out this picture, but I didn't want to- it matches the way our vacation went.

In short. This vacation was probably one of my very most favorite. Nothing went according to plan in fact my brothers said that we were experiencing Lake Powell "by fire". Everything that could have gone wrong did including trailer wheels breaking, storms, running out of gas, swimming boats to docks and a dog peeing on Lindsey's purse and little Bentlee's Elmo. But because of all of these trials we had to work together, we were able to be a family- I loved it. Every minute of it. 

And this afternoon I had to say goodbye.

Bryan, Natalie, Niah, Chloe and Mr. Bennett headed back this afternoon and I had to say goodbye. I won't see them again before I leave. Oh, the kids will be so old by then and the little man on the way I won't know until he can walk and talk like a big boy.

Going on a mission became more real to me these last few days. Maybe with time it is just sinking in or maybe I realized that I won't be able to just come see this wonderful family of mine whenever I want. Maybe it was holding sleeping children on my lap every boat ride and braiding my nieces' hair. Maybe it was the way Grandma races me to say "Love you infinite" first or the way Dad squeezes my shoulder when he passes by me. Or maybe it was when I realized that Mom and I have the same laugh or the fresh sun burn that my skin sometimes craves. 

My family is amazing. I am not going to flower it up. It is what it is. And this "it" or my family is the bomb. I know I will miss them- all of them- while I am gone. But then I think of the missionary quote that is all the wall with all the plaques of my brothers from their missions that says: 

"A missionary is someone who leaves his family for a short time, 

so that others may be with their family for eternity."

And the love I have for my family radiates inside of me.

I want others to have that.

I want to share the joy, happiness and peace in knowing that I can be with my family forever.

My name is Kelsie and I am a soon-to-be missionary.

Welcome to Hell?

"Hell"- I used to call it "H. E. double hockey sticks" get it? 

. . . Hockey sticks have a 'L' shape to them. 

I would have felt so guilty saying the word "Hell" back then.

I was such a sheltered child. 

I probably shouldn't kick off my missionary blog like this.
I should probably do some sort of introduction to how I decided to go on a mission, the anticipation of the call, the hours before opening the envelope, learning where I am going and the preparation I have had thus far. However those will be dealt with in posts to come - maybe.

Wednesday at work my high school seminary teacher came to the pool to swim with his boys.
I call him Bro Cow.
Before leaving he came over to me.
"So have you gone to Hell yet?"

I was confused "Hell?"

He went on to explain that Hell is what Satan puts missionaries through. Satan wants to do everything he can to prevent the work of the Lord being spread throughout the world. Fears, doubts, worthiness, questioning, capability; all of these are real feelings and they are all ways to scare missionaries off. Ah yes, Hell.

These feelings are familiar.

I thought going on a mission would be quick and easy. Simple. At least the getting there part. I have wanted to serve a mission for sometime now, and in my mind there was nothing stopping me. Ideally I would get my call, prepare everything I could before leaving and then be on my merry little way to the MTC and then off again to the land of California to share the gospel. . . and that is still the plan, but it isn't as smooth going as I had imagined.

I have fears. I am scared to death quite frankly.
I will be leaving everything I know for eighteen months and I have no idea even what to expect.
I won't be able to go and do whatever my heart desires.
I will have a strict schedule.
I will only have four pairs of shoes.
I don't want to get plump or fluffy or chunk.
I will always have someone with me ALL THE TIME.

I doubt myself. My ability to teach. My strength in the work. My lack of diversity. I even doubted my testimony and the things I know to be true - that one didn't last long, praying stopped that doubt in its tracks.
Sometimes I question if I am going for the right reason. Sometimes I wonder if I would be making better use of my staying home and going to school.
I am going to a highly educated area and I speak with a hick accent. Why would people listen? Am I good enough, strong enough - am I just enough to represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

And I must say they are quite "Hell-like".

"Don't worry every missionary goes through Hell. Satan is real," Bro Cow said.

Then he asked if I knew the story behind Section 52 in the Doctrine and Covenants. . . I didn't another rush of inadequacy rushed through my body. . . "I should know this- I am going to be teaching people things from these books. How am I to teach if I don't know myself?" I thought to myself.


He advised me to read it, but continued to tell me that during this section men are being called to serve missions and to share the gospel. As they are being called they are also warned of the desires and goals that Satan has "for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations-"


Reading this section gave me comfort, hope and a sense of peace that I have been seeking.