26.

Wow.  

Happy birthday to me.  

This is literally the last place I thought I would be 

for my 26th birthday....but I'm so glad to be here.

Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 

have the opportunity to serve at the age of 18 for Elders & the age of 19 for Sisters. 

So, as you can imagine, I am one of few within 

the Arizona Mesa Mission who is over 25 to say the least.

Age is something that I have thought a lot about as I have found myself here. 

My mission has truly reminded me that God has a plan that is 

individual & unique 

to each one of us. 

He knows us perfectly.

He knows what we need. 

He knew that I needed this service and this opportunity. 

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Elder Russell M. Nelson has said, 

"When we comprehend His voluntary Atonement, 

any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed 

by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving Him."

I've never doubted Elder Nelson, but man is he right. 

The Atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is central to 

all human history and each one of our individual plans. 

Each of us have the opportunity to turn to Him and to change. 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here, serving Him. 

I know that we can serve Him, no matter our circumstance. 

Although this is my only birthday as His full-time servant, 

I hope to remember Him each & every birthday to come.

{you know I celebrated with a birthday run}

xoxo,

sisters.

As I was preparing to come on my mission

I knew having a companion would be one of my greatest challenges

I like my alone time

When I'm stressed, I would prefer to run 20 miles solo and cry it out

BEFORE talking it out

But, you know what?

I have been pleasantly surprised

It's not to say that there are only rainbows and sunshine every day

{I mean, come on, we are human}

but I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for my sisters here

it is pretty great having a family of sisters to turn to

especially on those hard days

I've been blessed in this life

to have 3 younger sisters in my biological family

who I love and adore

but I've come to learn now more than ever

that we all have sisters

and we can all turn to those sisters in time of need

no matter our situation

In the September 2014 issue of the Ensign, there is a wonderful talk entitled

"Sisters in the Covenant"

I invite you to read it

as sisters, we have the opportunity

to....

bear one another's burdens

mourn with those that mourn

comfort those who stand in need of comfort

and most importantly

stand as witnesses of God

we are disciples of Jesus Christ

we are destined for more than we can possibly imagine

let us gather together as His disciples in a sisterhood of service, love and virtue

there's no reason to stand alone

"Sisterhood is an eternal bond prescribed by our Heavenly Father....we are 

never alone, for the Lord has given us all sisters."

xoxo,

finding.zion.

If you're not from Utah, you may not even know today is Pioneer Day.

Pioneer Day is absolutely one of my favorite holidays, in large part because I grew up in Salt Lake.  I have so many memories of this day and it's importance.  As a little girl, I felt so privileged sleeping outside on South Temple to get the best spot for the Days of '47 Parade.  We would ride the Temple Square carriage in the middle of the night and my older cousins would give me advice -- on everything from elementary school woes to kissing boys to making the best dirty Diet Coke.  Some of my best memories revolve around July 24th.

The Mormon Pioneers were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who were forced out of their homes in the Midwest and migrated West across the United States, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, or what they called "Zion" on July 24th, 1847.

So, what is "Zion"?  Zion is "the pure in heart".  Zion is our hopes, our desires, our dreams.  As we turn to God and put His will first, all of these dreams and desires can be realized.  I think it is inherent human nature to be a part of the crowd, to be popular and in sync with the times.  We look for recognition and validation in our efforts, but often that is not where true conversion lies.  We must be forced out of our comfort zone, out of those social norms -- this is where we innovate and transform, this is where we become leaders.

We must love.  We must serve.  We must work.  We must consecrate ourselves and turn to God in all that we do.  Only then, can we become "pure in heart".  Only then can we build each other up.  Only then, all blessings that can be had, that God is willing to grant, will be ours.

{I love art & naturally, Vincent Van Gogh says it perfectly}

This Pioneer Day I am especially grateful to be on a mission, to be developing the characteristics and confidence to change, to be different, to be a pioneer.

xoxo,

emily.arden.

Hi All!  So this is officially my first post on my blog and my first post as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  So let me give ya'll a little bit of background info.  Serving a mission was the last thing I thought I would ever choose to do -- especially at 25...  But I'm so excited to see how I can share my love of the gospel with others!

I'm currently serving in Mesa, AZ and I'm speaking Spanish!  Such a tender mercy, considering I was dying to go to Argentina.  My family is from there!  My great-grandparents, Emilio & Donato Gianfelice, were actually the first converts to the LDS church from South America!  Talk about a legacy!  But yeah, Heavenly Father knows me too well and knew I would love learning Spanish.

You know what, missions are hard.  Sometimes I am frustrated and sometimes I question what I am doing.  That's real life, ya know?  But I love my Savior and I love this gospel.  I know how much God loves each and every one of us and I am SO excited to share that love with others!  So follow along, message me with any questions you might have, and let's enjoy this ride of a lifetime.  I know I'll be learning lots and I hope that you can too.

xoxo,