IOWA CITY - Week 12, Week 14 mission

Three keys to life:

LOVE people

say prayers of GRATITUDE

live in a way that the Lord can TRUST YOU

The last week Sister Lloyd was here, she and Sister Murphy really made my heart believe these three things. I have loved this week really taking those to my head and using them everyday. Things make so much more sense this way, although I struggled with myself to constantly be ready to follow prompting of the Holy Ghost. It's amazing how much Heavenly Father guides this work. Yesterday, while listening to the conversion story of a man named Bill Carpenter, it hit me so hard how amazing it is that I am literally called to be a representative of Jesus Christ, to tell the world exactly what He would if He were here.

I therefore added a four key to life: the SPIRIT changes everything. Listening to it's promptings is the ONLY way to find pure joy.

I LOVE MY MISSION. It hit me over and over again this week how much I love being a part of this work. The more I learn about this work, the more I realize how much I don't know. We taught two less-actives and two new investigators and I must tell you that I am a VERY imperfect missionary....but as truths are spoken, the Spirit speaks, and that is how hearts are changed to believe and to act to become closer to God.

I found a new friend this week. Her name is Katy. She is half me, half my sister: she totally understands us, Lex. She requested a BoM via media referral for her fiance, who is a non-member. She grew up in the church, but had a rough last few years. As she opened up a bit and told us her story, she and I cried together. I had no idea what to say, except that I felt like I was here for a reason.  I told her that I  have personally been healed through the Atonement, because it's real is real. I want to see her like everyday. Murph has to restrain me....although there is not much she can do since I have driving privileges again this week (you get two weeks of driving as a new missionary). HAHAHAH FEAR ME, IOWA CITY!

I want so badly to watch her change. She has so much more waiting for her. She has so many blessings she can take part in. I know I've been called to be here for a reason.....I am just terrified that I won't be able to help her see it. I was so happy afterwards. I love talking about the Gospel!

Transfers are this week! Murph and I hope we are both staying! We like it here.

SSSOOOOOOO good to see your faces on Christmas. Felt like nothing had changed....and yet I know we all have. I hope Christmas was good. Running out of time. There is more in the snail mail I am sending.

LOVE YOU ALL! Have a happy new year!

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

Christmas chaos without Dad there to clean up the wrapping paper.

Three sister missionaries live with these darling 4 little girls!
Princess Power!
(Thank you to these wonderful people who house my daughter!)

"Its my Christmas present to me!" (new scriptures)
(Hurry - what movie? - Emperor's New Groove)

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Week 13 mission

Happy 2 days 'til Christmas! I am so grateful for all your love this season. I have received all your packages and even a few packages and card from our family friends and they are all under our little tree waiting for Christmas!

I miss Lloyd like CRAZY! But I know for a fact that I am doing WAY better than I should be doing. For like 3 days this week, I DOVE into my calling as a servant of the Lord and LOVED the people around me (just like Lloyd taught me) and POURED into my scriptures (just like Lloyd taught me). I needed some comfort one night and flipped open to a page and my eyes instantly glued on Mosiah 24:14&15, which has become a pretty powerful scripture between her and I. It was another testament that God was taking care of both she and I. I KNOW I AM BEING STRENGTHENED BY THE LORD. She was able to call us when she arrived home, and my prayers since that moment have been in gratitude for the Lord (just like Lloyd taught me). I thank God for the blessing of allowing me to feel what she is feeling. It makes it somehow better that we were both there for each other, even though we were far away. It makes it somehow better that I experienced what it sounds like she is now experiencing, after I came home from Jerusalem. I am so grateful to know her.

I think it's been rough to have her leave because she is so much a part of the mission, for me. When I left my family and friends, I knew it would been awhile until I saw them again...but that I needed to go away for awhile. However, my love for this work came so strongly BECAUSE of Lloyd's love for this work, and because she gave me the tools to learn HOW to love this work. Since she was the one to teach me everything, I think the two became pretty connected. This week I got to learn that I really do love the work! It brings me so much peace and it brings the people of Iowa SO MUCH JOY.

Speaking of which: 2 NEW INVESTIGATORS THIS WEEK! One is Joyann and one is Russ. So now we are teaching 2 young women and 2 truck drivers. Sister Murphy and I stared at each other in disbelief when we heard: how ironic is this? I am trying to love them both as much as I love Dominique and Scott...and Lloyd. :) It is amazing to see how love changes people...including myself.

Dad: tree lights are DEFINITELY missed here. Thank you for that gift to me. (He sent a picture of our "three trees" all lit up.)

The Montgomerys: Shoot! Little Jamesey is married!!!!!! (Cousin) Congrats my Provo cousins!!!! Welcome to the fam, Whitney!!!! Wish I could have been there.

Grandpa: thank you for the Christmas money!  I missed our tradition of going to your house this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! Thanks for your love and support. They mean more than any gift.

--

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

Iowa City - Week 10, Week 12 mission

I LOVE MY FAMILY! Merry Christmas-season!

This has been a deep week! Sister Lloyd is leaving for her hometown TOMORROW and she and I are both freaking out a little bit....ok a lot a bit.....so excuse me as I rant about how much she changed my life.

Sister Lloyd is a testament that lives can be changed because of LOVE. Because she saw me for who I could be, yet loved me as if I already made it there. Because she was proud of my actions, and didn't judge me for my mistakes. She pointed me to the Savior and told me to never let my mistakes get me to hate on myself. I learned a love for the Book of Mormon, a love for laughter, and a need for loving everyone before I teach them. She changed my entire mission because she told me that the Atonement is real. I will spend the next 16 months trying to become the missionary she is, and when I see her again, I hope I will be able to be as exceptional a person as she is. I will miss her dearly, but she will work wonders in any part of the world she is in. She will forever be a part of my heart! Oh, and parents: she promised me a sleepover as soon as possible when I was home, so be prepared for that! haha Gosh. I love my mission. I love my life because of my dear family and friends at home. I miss you all a ton this holiday season: I am so jealous that she gets to hug her family this week! I can't wait for us all to swap stories when I get home!!!!!!!

So needless to say, it's been a little hard to focus this week. I am learning a lot about faith and prayer because we are working on goals as a mission. It is wonderful to learn about goal setting and it's role in my life, especially ones with the Lord included. I am studying chapter 6 in PMG about how to be more Christlike. (Sister Lloyd is PRO at this chapter, so my study this morning was going through her PMG and writing down all her notes. :) haha yes. I am a nerd.)

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

IOWA CITY - Week 9, Week 11 mission

Dearest Mom, dad, sammy, Elder Ben Sumsion, and Lexi:

This week was AMAZING!!!!!!! Although I really miss you 5. I guess if I were home, it would really only be the 3 of you....but seriously, you 5 are my favorite! As the holidays wind closer, I have started thinking of our Christmas traditions, and this week I found myself missing my cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents. THANK YOU for living close to our extended family. I miss you all so much!!!!!!! I have loved being such a big part of each others lives.

I'm not exactly homesick....just grateful. Sister Lloyd has officially become one of my closest friends I've ever found. I keep trying to convince her to stay here forever. She'll be home for Christmas, so she and I talked a lot this week about how grateful we are for the families and background that we have come from. Remember the LOVE focus of my email last week? That love that I am capable of feeling is a result of my family. You have each taught me how to love...and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you for loving me even when we get CRAZY! Thanks for laughing at my movie quotes and how silly I am. I am so glad our family bond is eternal and unbreakable thanks to the bond formed in the temple.

I got to bear powerful testimony this week of the importance of families. So Sister Lloyd and Sister Murphy are both Sister Training Leaders (STL). I think I've talked about them before, but here is a refresher: They are over about 20 sisters, and travel to their areas and help the sisters with individual, companionship, and (often times) emotional complications.I seriously think I have the coolest companions on this mission. Before, Sister Lloyd's STL companion was with other sister in Iowa City, so we would go together while Sister Lloyd and Sister Phelps traveled....but now Murphy is in...so guess what? THEY TOOK ME WITH THEM!!!!!!!!!! It was the coolest week EVER! I felt so selfish because all I did was watch these two sisters I adore do the coolest work in the world. And I just sat and tried to take in ever bit of wisdom. Their very presence brings peace. They really understand how to lead in love. They joked that when Lloyd left, I would be called and I about threw up on the spot. I am NOT a leader: so it is wonderful to watch THE BEST in action. I was so thrilled to be their little tag along. So yeah: we were in our area for about 24 this whole week. I feel like I get trained all day long and I still can't get enough.I'm addicted to knowledge of the Gospel and of my Savior right now. And how to be a better missionary. GAH! I am so selfish but I am LOVING THIS! And I hope that I can use this love and knowledgge

So in one of the areas, in a little town called Muscatine, I taught Micheal and Courtney and they are AMAZING! They are similar to Ben's couple: want to get baptized, but need to be married. The girl is only 19 and by the end of the lesson, I felt like I had known her previously. We just clicked and I felt like I just understood her. She was so excited about the church, but was terrified to be married so young. I was agreeing with her. I saw my own fears in her life. I saw how much she loved this boy, but also how she wanted to be sure in marriage because they have a son together and she didn't want him to grow up in a broken home. Out of no where I bore testimony of how special the temple sealing is and that it didn't matter that she was scared because I could tell that her husband and her were honest seekers of truth, and that they loved each other, and I told them that this was all they needed. I walked away with a grateful heart and I almost called you, mom and dad, right then and there to thank you for being worthy temple recommend holders and for staying together. There are SO MANY broken homes I've seen out here and I haven't even made it through two transfers! I am so grateful for our family and how I know how much work life and marriage takes. I LOVE OUR FAMILY!!!!!!

It snowed for the first time on Sunday, but I'm not even cold yet. The wind chill is the worst and it hasn't been windy all week so I am WARM! I love it. That grey jacket we found plus Holly's boots are miracles. The Lord really provides for His servants.

LOVE MY LIFE! Trying to study Christlike attibutes and how to feel the Spirit. It's the greatest work in the world. I am so happy. HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!  (movie quote from Other Side of Heaven)

-Sister Sumsion

QUINNS: THANK YOU FOR THE PILLOW CASE!!!!! You are so kind to think of me this season!!

--

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

 Iowa Des Moines Mission

8515 Douglas Ave Ste 19

Urbandale, IA 50322

IOWA CITY - week 8, week 10 mission

This week, I wanna write about something that's been on my mind a lot: love.

It's a beautiful thing.

We walk into random people's homes. And we start talking and suddenly they are gushing their deep emotions to us. And it's incredible how my heart responds instantly with love. I can't even judge them. I don't even know them. And yet I just want the best for them. I want them so badly to read the BoM so they can feel of God's love because that is SO much better than any love I could give them.

Sister Lloyd constantly stresses the importance of teaching people out of love...and I feel pretty inadequate to love this week.I'm just one girl. One girl with many imperfections. Who can't figure out what people need.

I got the coolest confirmation about the BoM last week (I did tell that story, right? last p-day feels like a life-time ago) and I have been so restless this week to share with others the importance of reading that book. It changed everything for me. And it can change the life of anyone who reads it, no matter how many times they have read it before. There are so many people who don't, won't, or even members who had STOPPED reading it, and their lives are completely affected by that choice.

I'm anxious for the knowledge that comes with this study. Satan has actually been using to his advantage this week. There were times when I didn't even want to teach people because I'm so obsessed with the BoM and feel like I don't even know what to say about it: just that it's true and that they should read it....which is maybe the point anyway. Maybe I'm not supposed to know it for that reason, you know? Maybe I'm just supposed to point other people to it.

Which brings me to my big focus of love this week: and that is my companions. Sister Lloyd will be on a plane home in less than 3 weeks. She's overwhelmed: and I feel so inadequate to be her friend. I don't know what to say or to do. She's been pretty quiet as she comes to terms with everything. Two nights ago I just sat there hugging her and crying because she was hurting and there was nothing I could do about it. And then it kind of hit me that maybe this was enough. Maybe words were superfluous at this moment. Maybe all I needed to do was continue to love her. I thought a lot this week (being Thanksgiving) about how much love had changed MY life. About the perfect friend at the perfect time was the exact support I needed. Or how my parent's loving atmosphere had made me see the world on a positive level. How Sister Lloyd being in my life at this time has changed me so deeply I don't even know what to think about it. I thought about how much we all respond to love. How much we crave it. How much we need it to be happy or to do anything else in life.

And then I thought about Christ. That's why we need Him. Because He loves us better than any mortal ever could. We find healing in His love. And peace. And happiness. And everything we need. I am doing so much study on the Atonement right now and how Christ can literally lift our burdens and carry our trials in this life, not just in the world to come. He can help us. Here. Now. This very moment. We just need to turn to Him. He is waiting.

I don't get it all the way. And I wish I did. I wish I could tell you that I know how to psychoanalyze people. Or to cast my burdens at the Lord's feet. But I'm trying. And it's coming.

Jesus is the Christ. The Messiah that the prophets have testified of for the entire span of the world's history. He is my Savior. From pain. From hurt. From confusion. From doubt. From the crushing forces of this world. Stop fighting the love He's trying to give to you.

......Thanks. I think that was more of a vent to my heart than it was to anyone else.

I love you, family. You are the reason I love this world. And I'm not exaggerating that.

--

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

Iowa Des Moines Mission

8515 Douglas Ave Ste 19

Urbandale, IA 50322

IOWA CITY - week 7, week 9 mission

HOLY RAINBOWS! This week was awesome!

God is the most merciful being EVER. Thank you for all the prayers in my behalf because SISTER LLOYD AND I STAYED TOGETHER!  She understands me perfectly and never judges me for my imperfection, but instead does everything in her power to instill in my heart a change for the better. She is SUCH a blessing in my life.

I LOVED the work this week. My studies have just been mind-blowing and I am SOAKING up the knowledge that comes directly from the Spirit. I crave it. I seek it. I want it so bad. (some days it doesn’t come and I am still trying to figure out why…but that will come in time, right?) Part of the reason the work is so good this week is because we got another companion!!! Sister Chloe Murphy is the cutest thing ever. She was actually trained by Sister Lloyd too, so us three are like this unstoppable combo and I’m just lovin’ it. It is SO cool to hear her and Lloyd speak of stories and how THE work of salvation continues.

I got the most powerful testimony from her this week that the Lord is a part of this work. She got the impression to share 1 Nephi 17 with some other sisters…little did she know, that chapter was for me. It would take 20 minutes to describe why it hit me so hard, but as I read about the Lord showing Nephi how to build a boat, the Spirit testified to my heart that God wouldn’t leave me if I did the things He asked me to do. He WANTS to bless us. But laws are conditional to US doing OUR part. Wow. Church is true. Who knew? I didn’t. I feel everyday that my testimony yesterday was a joke compared to what it is at the end of each day. I LOVE being here. I LOVE the scriptures for answering my prayers…and my companions for answering my unspoken ones. This week I really craved that confirmation. And when it happened, I was FLOORED by how real the Book of Mormon is. READ IT! Anyone listening, PLEASE READ IT!

Iowa City is a cool city. It’s like country + college town + trailer parks + adorable neighborhoods, all in one city. I love it here. The people are SO nice. I know hard times (and even hard companions) will come…but I LOVE being “in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.” There are like 13 sets of missionaries here, so it always seems to be a party. It snowed for the first time, so it's getting a little chilly, but I still refuse to break out my winter coat: :) so it's not THAT bad yet.

Scott (the truck driver) is doing great. He teaches ME a lesson on humility and positive attitude every time I talk to him.

D_____ is the greatest 12 year old EVER. Her date was supposed to be this coming Saturday…but her mom isn’t exactly on board yet. But I don’t even mind because I am secretly thinking much good will come out of this. I seriously feel like she’s my little sister. She is SO passionate about Jesus Christ: I always forget how young she is. She came up to me after church on Sunday, on the brink of tears because her friend had been really hurt her and another friend. The Lord works in AMAZING ways because we were then able to teach her the most powerful lesson. She will changes LIVES as a member of this church. She is so strong, especially from what she’s been through. Every time I see her, I reflect on what a weakling I am: my life has been so incredibly perfect, and my faith definitely needs a lesson or two from a 12 year old…and a 14 year old prophet in the Sacred Grove. Amazing. So amazing. So much love in one living room!!!!!

Last Wednesday, I'm not going to lie, I was super homesick. I had SUCH good intentions of writing all these people I love...and instead I spent the whole day lying in bed with the flu. Luckily is was P-day so I didn't even have to miss out on missionary work, and I was well enough to do studies in the morning...but you have no idea how much I missed my loved ones back home. Luckily it was a 24 hour bug and the next morning I felt better than EVER. I really feel like Heavenly Father was reminding me how good I have it. I was SO grateful that day. He really takes care of me...I just feel so guilty for not writing everyone! Anyways: LOVE YOU ALL and I am so glad I'm not pregnant. Being nauseous for one day is bad enough. :) Also: I think I got it from the family we live with...but their 4 little girls are the cutest thing EVER that I didn't regret it at all. :) I LOVE MY LIFE SO MUCH. I pray often that my family is doing ok at home.....but God knows that everytime I pray that, my real wish is for my mother to not have to worry about me. My family: I miss you terribly. ONE MONTH TIL SKYPE TIME!?!?!?! Speaking of which: we are well taken care of for Thanksgiving: we are spending most of the evening with a member of the mission presidency and his wife. AH! Love my life.

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

IOWA CITY - week 6, week 8 mission

Hola Familia! 

Bienvenida a Iowa! hahah jk. I'm speaking English. :) But sometimes I forget. I saw the pictures you sent me of Ben this week and they were "blazed in my mind' all week. (just like Grandpa always says).

I LOVE THIS WORK. I love it so much. My testimony grows so much everyday that I hardly recognize myself from yesterday. 

Sister Lloyd has changed my entire life. The way I think, the way I feel, the way I love. She is my role model of things she doesn't even know I needed. Her character is more than I could have ever asked for.  I can't even describe how merciful and loving our Father in Heaven is because He blessed me with her. She is an exceptional missionary and one of my favorite human beings on this planet. We get the call TODAY to know if we are staying together for transfers on Thursday. I have SO MUCH I still need to learn from her.

Dominique. Cutest 12 year old of my life. I feel so much love for her and I've talked to her a total of 4 times now. She is having a really hard time in her life due to family stuff and a member referred her to us and she committed to baptism in december the first time we met with her. I wish I could show you the complete and pure joy I feel everytime she talks. Satan is a complete jerk and I have told him several times this week to get lost. He works hard on everyone, but we know there is a STRONGER force at work here, and I can tell that she listens to that one. She's amazing.

Scott T---. The truck driver that Sister Lloyd and Sister Harkness found. He was baptized last week. FREAKING MOST HUMLBE MAN EVER. Teaching him the "recent convert lessons" is the funnest thing ever. He took us out to dinner this week to thank us for changing his life. I feel like I did nothing. He was so humble he let God do all the teaching for him.

Iowa is GORGEOUS. I'm moving here. And it's warm still. So happy.

This work is amazing. All I can say is READ YOUR SCRIPTURES EVERYDAY and you will never, ever doubt the truth of this church

Gosh. Never enough time. LOVE YOU.

~Sister Chloé Michelle Sumsion~

 

Scott T

Thumbs up for Scott T

 

The Sisters over the University ward in Iowa City.