The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Hey everyone!!!

This week was just dandy! Lots of fun stuff for Christmas time. Also this week I got my card from the mission saying I could drive so I drive for the first time in months this week and I learned Chevy Equinoxes have very sensitive brakes so the first two stops were rough. Sister McArthur might've had some whiplash. But don't worry I got it down pat now. 

This week we visited one of our friends and helped her wrap her presents for Christmas then watched the Christ Child video which was really nice. 

Saturday we got to help a lady organize her storage unit which is always fun to see what treasures those hold. 

And Sunday we had an awesome service with beautiful musical numbers and we went caroling last night which was so fun because sister McArthur let me borrow one of her shirts and it was a nice night so we biked to the meeting place and it was a fun night. 

Away in a Manger is one of my faves Christmas songs and the last verse is one of the best-

 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!! I love you all and hope you have a magical Christmas day!

Love,

Sister Seibert 

Caroling and Crazy Ducks

Hey Everyone!!

This week was great! We had zone conference which is always so uplifting and inspiring! President Garns' Sister and her husband came and spoke to us which was amazing. He is so knowledgeable about the Book of Mormon and had some cool stories. And it was fun to see Sister Toone and Sister Wakefield.

Also one evening this week a young woman from our ward came knocking with us which was fun until we started being followed by a crazy duck and Sister McArthur hid behind me and pushed me into the duck. Thriving.

Saturday we helped the elders in our district move one of their members which was really fun. And then sunday night we all went caroling which was awesome. One lady answered and started tearing up as she told us she just found out she was cancer free and saw us as God showing His love for her. So that was a super sweet experience.

This week I heard two quotes that were cool. One is from Benjamin Franklin and he said, "Well done is better than well said" and the other is from Aristotle- "Happiness is a state of activity" I've come to know that when we practice what we preach we are much more happier and fulfilled with our lives. I think of the quote from president Nelson- The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
If we dwell on the negative, everything will seem sad, but when we look for the good we will I find it and be so much happier because of it!!! I love you all and hope you all have a fabulous week!!!
Love,
Sister Seibert

Sister McArthur

Hey everyone! 

This week was awesome getting to know my new area and new companion! Her name is Sister McArthur and she grew up in Haiti and then moved to Idaho when she was 12. She's so funny, I love her. 

This week we met with two Haitian guys who a member met playing tennis and so we got a tennis lesson from a super good tennis player. And taught him about the book of mormon. The best part was seeing Sister McArthur play because she was wear pink glittery jelly Birkenstocks so we made quite the team. She was also wearing green and red Christmas socks. 

The other exciting part was we met a lady who is very knowledgeable and talked at us for 20 minutes about how everything she does is spirit led and is in tune. My personal favorite part was when she asked us do either of you have an aunt or grandparent who is sick? And we both said no and she replied, oh then it must be someone else close by. Alright. We'll take your word. And then as we were talking to her another guy came up and started talking to us about his gospel. So that was a good time. 

Last night we got to see the Christmas devotional and I loved Elder Soares' talk.  I love the reminder to be modern day angels to those in need. So I challenge you all  look around and see who you can serve.  

Love you all!!

Sister Seibert 

Tennis and Sister Toone and I saying bye to our neighbor Corryn

 

Sister Houston

Hey everyone!!! 

It's been a good weekend and two days. Thanksgiving dinner was delish. Friday was a zone wide exchange so I spent the day with Sister Adams which was really fun. As part of the exchange there was a competition of which companionship could get the most challenges done out of 25 things. So sister Adams and I had to leave a caroling voicemail to one of our members but everytime we tried to sing we just started laughing. We eventually gave up and just told her merry Christmas and apologized. Luckily the member we called is super cool so she didn't mind. 

Sunday I had to lead the music in sacrament meeting which was a little embarrassing bc I had to lead some song I'd never heard before and so I had to pull the old 'write your name in cursive because no one is actually looking' 

Also the big news today is that I'm actually transferring and so is Sister Toone. Our area is closing so the elders in our branch are taking over the whole branch. So I'm going up north and getting another trainer to finish training me. So that's exciting. 

I was reading about integrity this week and really enjoyed it. In Elder Christoffersons talk called Reflections on a Consecrated Life he says 'Hypocrisy is terribly destructive, not only to the hypocrite but also to those who observe or know of his or her conduct, especially children. It is faith destroying, whereas honor is the rich soil in which the seed of faith thrives.' 

And and elder was talking about how he often gives advice but rarely lives what he tells people. So I encourage you all to join with me in looking at your lives and thinking about if you practice what you preach. Because people know when you are someone who lives by what you believe. And I know that we are most content with ourselves when we are an example and know we are doing the right thing! I love you all and hope everyone is well!

Love,

Sister Seibert 

Pics include Sister Toone and I at a park and a huge iguana that lives on one of the college campuses 

The Character of Christ

"THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST"
Brigham Young University-Idaho Religion Symposium January 25, 2003
Elder David A. Bednar

Good morning, brothers and sisters. I am delighted to be here with you. I pray for and

invite the Holy Ghost to be with me and with you as together we discuss an important

aspect of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Last September I participated in an area training meeting in Twin Falls, Idaho. Elder Neal A. Maxwell presided at the training session, and on a Friday night and a Saturday morning he, the Idaho Area Presidency, and other general church officers instructed a group of approximately one hundred stake presidents. It was a meaningful and memorable time of spiritual enrichment, learning, and edification.
During the course of his teaching and testifying, Elder Maxwell made a statement that impressed me deeply and has been the recent focus for much of my studying, reflecting, and pondering. He said, "There would have been no Atonement except for the character of Christ." Since hearing this straightforward and penetrating statement, I have tried to learn more about and better understand the word "character." I have also pondered the relationship between Christ's character and the Atonement--and the implications of that relationship for each of us as disciples. This morning I hope to share with you just a few of the learnings that have come to my mind and heart as I have attempted to more fully appreciate this teaching by Elder Maxwell.
What is Character?
After returning home from the area training meeting in Twin Falls, the first question I attempted to answer was "What is character?" The Oxford English
Dictionary indicates that many of the uses of the word character relate to graphic symbols, printing, engraving, and writing. The usages I found most relevant, however, relate to ". . . the sum of the moral and mental qualities which distinguish an individual or a race; mental or moral constitution; moral qualities strongly developed or strikingly displayed" (Oxford English Dictionary Online, University Press 2003, Second Edition, 1989). Interestingly, when we look up the word "character" in the topical guide of our scriptures, we discover that it is cross-referenced to the topics of honesty, honor, and integrity.
Brigham Young emphasized the significance of the Savior's character as he taught and testified about the truthfulness of the Holy Bible:

. . . the Bible is true. It may not all have been translated aright, and many precious things may have been rejected in the compilation and translation of the Bible; but we understand, from the writings of one of the Apostles, that if all the sayings and doings of the Savior had been written, the world could not contain them. I will say that the world could not understand them. They do not understand what we have on
record, nor the character of the Savior, as delineated in the Scriptures; and yet it is one of the simplest things in the world, and the Bible, when it is understood, is one of the simplest books in the world, for, as far as it is translated correctly, it is nothing but truth, and in truth there is no mystery save to the ignorant. The revelations of the Lord to his creatures are adapted to the lowest capacity, and they bring life and salvation to all who are willing to receive them. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 124, emphasis added)
Brigham Young further taught that faith must be focused upon Jesus' character, in His Atonement, and in the Father's plan of salvation:
. . . I will take the liberty of saying to every man and woman who wishes to obtain salvation through him (the Savior) that looking to him, only, is not enough: they must have faith in his name, character and atonement; and they must have faith in his father and in the plan of salvation devised and wrought out by the Father and the Son. What will this faith lead to? It will lead to obedience to the requirements of the Gospel; and the few words that I may deliver to my brethren and sisters and friends this afternoon will be with the direct view of leading them to God. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.13, p. 56, Brigham Young, July 18, 1869, emphasis added)
The Character of the Lord Jesus Christ
In a message entitled "O How Great the Plan of Our God" delivered to CES religious educators in February of 1995 (p. 5), Elder Maxwell specifically linked Christ's character to the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice:
Jesus' character necessarily underwrote His remarkable atonement. Without Jesus' sublime character there could have been no sublime atonement! His character is such that He "[suffered] temptations of every kind" (Alma 7:11), yet He gave temptations "no heed" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:22).
Someone has said only those who resist temptation really understand the power of temptation. Because Jesus resisted it perfectly, He understood temptation perfectly, hence He can help us. The fact that He was dismissive of temptation and gave it "no heed," reveals His marvelous character, which we are to emulate (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:22; 3 Nephi 12:48; 27:27).

Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward. If such a capacity is indeed the ultimate criterion of moral character, then the Savior of the world is the perfect example of such a consistent and charitable character.
Examples of Christ's Character in the New Testament
The New Testament is replete with "strikingly displayed" examples of the Savior's character. We are all well aware that following His baptism by John the Baptist and as a preparation for His public ministry, the Savior fasted for forty days. He also was tempted by the adversary to inappropriately use His supernal power to satisfy physical desires by commanding that stones be made bread, to gain recognition by casting Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, and to obtain wealth and power and prestige in exchange for falling down and worshiping the tempter (see Matthew 4:1- 9). It is interesting to note that the overarching and fundamental challenge to the Savior in each of these three temptations is contained in the taunting statement, "If thou be the Son of God." Satan's strategy, in essence, was to dare the Son of God to improperly demonstrate His God-given powers, to sacrifice meekness and modesty, and, thereby, betray who He was. Thus, Satan attempted repeatedly to attack Jesus' understanding of who He was and of His relationship with His Father. Jesus was victorious in meeting and overcoming the strategy of Satan.
I suspect the Savior may have been at least partially spent physically after forty days of fasting--and somewhat spiritually drained after His encounter with the adversary. With this background information in mind, please turn with me now to Matthew 4, and together we will read verse 11: "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
This verse in the King James version of the New Testament clearly indicates that angels came and ministered to the Savior after the devil had departed. And, undoubtedly, Jesus would have benefitted from and been blessed by such a heavenly ministration in a time of physical and spiritual need.
However, the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 4:11 provides a remarkable insight into the character of Christ. Please note the important differences in verse 11

between the King James version and the Joseph Smith Translation: "Then the devil leaveth him, and, now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him (John)."
Interestingly, the additions found in the JST completely change our understanding of this event. Angels did not come and minister to the Savior; rather, the Savior, in His own state of spiritual, mental, and physical distress, sent angels to minister to John. Brothers and sisters, it is important for us to recognize that Jesus in the midst of His own challenge recognized and appropriately responded to John--who was experiencing a similar but lesser challenge than that of the Savior's. Thus, the character of Christ is manifested as He reached outward and ministered to one who was suffering--even as He himself was experiencing anguish and torment.
In the upper room on the night of the last supper, the very night during which He would experience the greatest suffering that ever took place in all of the worlds created by Him, Christ spoke about the Comforter and peace:
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:25-27)
Once again the fundamental character of Christ is revealed magnificently in this tender incident. Recognizing that He himself was about to intensely and personally experience the absence of both comfort and peace, and in a moment when His heart was perhaps troubled and afraid, the Master reached outward and offered to others the very blessings that could and would have strengthened Him.
In the great intercessory prayer, offered immediately before Jesus went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Master prayed for His disciples and for all:
. . . which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me . . .
. . . that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:20, 21, 23, 26)
I find myself repeatedly asking the following questions as I ponder this and other events that took place so close to the Savior's suffering in the garden and His betrayal: How could He pray for the well-being and unity of others immediately before His own anguish? What enabled Him to seek comfort and peace for those whose need was so much less than His? As the fallen nature of the world He created pressed in upon Him, how could He focus so totally and so exclusively upon the conditions and concerns of others? How was the Master able to reach outward when a lesser being would have turned inward? The statement I quoted earlier from Elder Maxwell provides the answer to each of these powerful questions:
Jesus' character necessarily underwrote His remarkable atonement. Without Jesus' sublime character there could have been no sublime atonement! His character is such that He "[suffered] temptations of every kind" (Alma 7:11), yet He gave temptations "no heed" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:22). ("O How Great the Plan of Our God," message delivered to CES religious educators in February of 1995, p. 5)
Jesus, who suffered the most, has the most compassion for all of us who suffer so much less. Indeed, the depth of suffering and compassion is intimately linked to the depth of love felt by the ministering one. Consider the scene as Jesus emerged from His awful suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. Having just sweat great drops of blood from every pore as part of the infinite and eternal Atonement, the Redeemer encountered a multitude:
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew unto Jesus to kiss him.
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (Luke 22:47-50)
Given the magnitude and intensity of Jesus' agony, it perhaps would have been understandable if He had not noticed and attended to the guard's severed ear. But the Savior's character activated a compassion that was perfect. Note His response to the guard as described in verse 51: "And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him (Luke 22:51).

As individually impressive as is each of the preceding events, I believe it is the consistency of the Lord's character across multiple episodes that is ultimately the most instructive and inspiring. In addition to the incidents we have thus far reviewed, recall how the Savior, while suffering such agony on the cross, instructed the Apostle John about caring for Jesus' mother, Mary (John 19:26-27). Consider how, as the Lord was taken to Calvary and the awful agony of the crucifixion was commenced, He pleaded with the Father in behalf of the soldiers to ". . . forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Remember also that in the midst of excruciating spiritual and physical pain, the Savior offered hope and reassurance to one of the thieves on the cross, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Throughout His mortal ministry, and especially during the events leading up to and including the atoning sacrifice, the Savior of the world turned outward--when the natural man or woman in any of us would have been self-centered and focused inward.
Developing a Christlike Character
We can in mortality seek to be blessed with and develop essential elements of a Christlike character. Indeed, it is possible for us as mortals to strive in righteousness to receive the spiritual gifts associated with the capacity to reach outward and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. We cannot obtain such a capacity through sheer willpower or personal determination. Rather, we are dependent upon and in need of "the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8). But "line upon line, precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30) and "in [the] process of time" (Moses 7:21), we are enabled to reach outward when the natural tendency is for us to turn inward.
It is interesting to me that one of the central elements of the word character is created by the letters A, C, and T. As we already have seen in the examples of Christ's character from the New Testament, the nature and consistency of how one acts reveals in a powerful way his or her true character. In the case of Christ, he is described as one ". . . who went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). Let me now briefly share with you two memorable experiences from my service as a stake president that highlight the relationship between our actions and a Christlike character.
Early one summer morning I was showering. My wife called to me in the middle of my shower and indicated that I was needed immediately on the telephone. (This was before the day of cell and cordless phones). I quickly put on my robe and hurried to the phone. I next heard the voice of a dear sister and friend informing me of a tragic automobile accident that had just occurred in a remote area involving three teenage young women from our stake. Our friend indicated one of the young women had already been pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and that the two other

young women were badly injured and presently were being transported to the regional medical center in Fayetteville. She further reported that the identity of the deceased young woman was not yet known. There was urgency in her voice, but there was no panic or excessive alarm. She then asked if I could go to the hospital, meet the ambulance when it arrived, and assist in identifying the young women. I answered that I would leave immediately.
During the course of our telephone conversation and as I listened to both the information being conveyed and the voice of our friend, I gradually became aware of two important things. First, this friend's daughter was one of the young women involved in the accident. Our friend lived approximately 35 miles from the hospital and therefore needed the assistance of someone who lived closer to the city. Second, I detected that the mother simultaneously was using two telephone handsets--with one in each hand pressed to each of her ears. I became aware that as she was talking with me, she was also talking with a nurse at a small rural hospital who had initially attended to the three accident victims. Our friend was receiving updated information about the condition of the young women in the very moment she was informing me about the accident and requesting my help. I then heard one of the most remarkable things I have ever heard in my life.
I faintly heard the nurse telling this faithful mother and friend that the young woman pronounced dead at the scene of the accident had been positively identified as her daughter. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was listening to this good woman in the very moment that she learned of the death of her precious daughter. Without hesitation, and with a calm and most deliberate voice, our friend next said, "President Bednar, we must get in contact with the two other mothers. We must let them know as much as we can about the condition of their daughters and that they will soon be in the hospital in Fayetteville." There was no self-pity; there was no self-absorption; there was no turning inward. The Christlike character of this devoted woman was manifested in her immediate and almost instinctive turning outward to attend to the needs of other suffering mothers. It was a moment and a lesson that I have never forgotten. In a moment of ultimate grief, this dear friend reached outward when I likely would have turned inward.
I then drove to the hospital with a concern in my heart for the well-being of the two other beautiful young women who had been involved in the accident. Little did I realize that the lessons I would learn about Christlike character--lessons taught by seemingly ordinary disciples--were just beginning.
I arrived at the hospital and proceeded to the emergency room. After properly establishing who I was and my relationship to the victims, I was invited into two different treatment areas to identify the injured young women. It was obvious that

their respective wounds were serious and life threatening. And the lovely countenances and physical features of these young women had been badly marred. Within a relatively short period of time, the two remaining young women died. All three of these virtuous, lovely, and engaging young women--who seemed to have so much of life in front of them--suddenly had gone home to their Eternal Father. My attention and the attention of the respective families now shifted to funeral arrangements and logistics.
A day or so later, in the midst of program planning and detail arranging for the three funerals, I received a phone call from the Relief Society president of my home ward. Her daughter had been one of the victims in the accident, and she and I had talked several times about her desires for the funeral program. This faithful woman was a single mother rearing her only child--her teenage daughter. I was especially close to this woman and her daughter having served as both their bishop and stake president. After reviewing and finalizing several details for the funeral of her daughter, this good sister said to me, "President, I am sure it was difficult for you to see my daughter in the emergency room the other day. She was severely injured and disfigured. As you know, we will have a closed casket at the funeral. I have just returned from the funeral home, and they have helped my daughter to look so lovely again. I was just wondering . . . why don't we arrange a time when we can meet at the mortuary and you can have one last look at her before she is buried. Then your final memories of my daughter will not be the images you saw in the emergency room the other day." I listened and marveled at the compassion and thoughtfulness this sister had for me. Her only daughter had just been tragically killed, but she was concerned about the potentially troublesome memories I might have given my experience in the emergency room. In this good woman I detected no self-pity and no turning inward. Sorrow, certainly. Sadness, absolutely. Nevertheless, she reached outward when many or perhaps most of us would have turned inward with sorrow and grief.
Let me describe one final episode related to these three tragic deaths. On the day of her daughter's funeral, this Relief Society president from my home ward received a phone call from an irritated sister in our ward. The complaining sister had a cold and did not feel well, and she basically chewed out the Relief Society president for not being thoughtful or compassionate enough to arrange for meals to be delivered to her home. Just hours before the funeral of her only child, this remarkable Relief Society president prepared and delivered a meal to the murmuring sister.
We appropriately and rightly speak with reverence and awe of young men who sacrificed their lives to rescue stranded handcart pioneers and of other mighty men and women who repeatedly gave their all to establish the Church in the early days of the Restoration. I speak with equal reverence and awe of these two women--women of faith and character and conversion--who taught me so much and instinctively reached

outward when most of us would have turned inward. Oh how I appreciate their quiet and powerful examples.
I noted earlier in my remarks that the letters A, C, and T form a central component in the word character. Also noteworthy is the similarity between the words character and charity--as both words contain the letters C, H, A, and R. Etymologically there is no relationship between these two words. Nevertheless, I believe there are several conceptual connections that are important for us to consider and ponder.
Let me suggest that you and I must be praying and yearning and striving and working to cultivate a Christlike character if we hope to receive the spiritual gift of charity-- the pure love of Christ. Charity is not a trait or characteristic we acquire exclusively through our own purposive persistence and determination. Indeed we must honor our covenants and live worthily and do all that we can do to qualify for the gift; but ultimately the gift of charity possesses us--we do not posses it (see Moroni 7:47). The Lord determines if and when we receive all spiritual gifts, but we must do all in our power to desire and yearn and invite and qualify for such gifts. As we
increasingly act in a manner congruent with the character of Christ, then perhaps we are indicating to heaven in a most powerful manner our desire for the supernal spiritual gift of charity. And clearly we are being blessed with this marvelous gift as we increasingly reach outward when the natural man or woman in us would typically turn inward.
I conclude now by returning to where I began--the statement by Elder Maxwell in that special training session last September: "There would have been no Atonement except for the character of Christ." It was the Prophet Joseph Smith who stated that "it is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). The New Testament is a rich resource for learning about and increasing our appreciation for the character and life and example of the Savior. My prayer for each of us is that through our study of this sacred volume of scripture we will more fully come unto Him; more completely become like Him; and more fervently worship, reverence, and adore Him.
As a witness, I declare my witness. I know and testify and witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. I know that He lives. And I testify that His character made possible for us the opportunities for both immortality and eternal life. May we reach outward when the natural tendency for us is to turn inward, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! Hope everyone is having a great Turkey Day! This morning our zone got together and had our own little turkey bowl so that was fun!

Also it's been almost two weeks because our p-day got moved to today. So have I got some stories. A week ago the sisters that live with us and Sis Toone and I went to a Buddhist meeting which was super interesting. It's so cool to see how close most religions are to each other. Friday I tried Haitian food for the first time which was really good. 

Saturday we busted out our bikes for the first time and it came in with a bang! I was riding at night and we were trying to hurry bc we were running late and there were some cones up ahead and I made sure there was ground, but did not see the caution tape tied around the cones in time so I got to fulfill my dream of biking through a finish line banner. Except it wasn't a finish line. Or a banner. And the cones came with me. Pics to follow. Sister Toone probably fell more than I did bc she was laughing so hard. 

Monday Sister Toone and I had lunch with our old jewish neighbor Corryn who is so funny. She took us out for pizza. I love her. 

Because Christmas season is in less than 24 hours, I want all of you to watch the Christ Child video if you have not already! It is SO beautiful!!!!! And sign up for the daily reminders for light the world!!! And get excited for Christmas!!! I love you all!!!

Love,

Sister Seibert

Pics include Thai food with two members of the branch, me with my fab helmet on at the scene of the crime, a pretty sunset and even prettier sister missionary, the time we found part of someone's weave, and me getting as close as I dared to a chicken 

Pictures

The Melting Pot of Florida

Hey everyone! 

Sadly this week wasn't as eventful as last week but it was still great! This last Saturday there was a Stake activity- and International Festival where each ward in the stake was in charge of representing a Spanish/latin American country with food and a dance. So we got to try foods from Mexico, Italy, Honduras, Guatemala, etc. I don't know whose idea it as to have a YSA branch be in charge of a table because the guy who was supposed to being the refried beans (which was the main component in our dish) showed up an hour late. But it all worked out and there were dances/ performances from all the countries which was so fun. Since our branch is so small Sister Toone and I as well as the Elders in our branch went up with our group to sing our song- "Yo Soy Puro Guatelmalteco" (which no one actually knew so thank goodness that the recording had someone singing) Needless to say, our branch really razzle dazzled the crowd. But when we had to step and clap I put a lot of enthusiasm into it so I got yells from the crowd. Which at the time I thought were positive but now that I'm thinking about it they were probably shouting stop but just in Spanish. 

The last song that was sang was God Bless America so that made me happy because it reminded me of my mom's family. Shout out to Reed Olive. 

ALSO. I guess the Elders didn't learn from last time so we went knocking in another Jewish neighborhood. Where everyone has Hebrew over their door. So I was knocking with Sister Semaia (a sister who lives in the same apartment as me) and we decided we were going to ask them what the scroll symbolized thats on the right of all their doors. So we knocked on a house and as soon as we said we were missionaries he slammed the door and so I thought to myself "Ok next door you're just going to cut to the chase and ask what the scroll symbolizes" BUt then as we knocked I had a second thought "is it rude to just assume their jewish" even though they had the scroll on their door frame which only jewish people have. SO anyway the next guy opens the door and my opening line is "Are you Jewish?" Sister Semaia thought I was so funny and couldn't believe I said that. Thinking back on the experience I probably could've gone about it a better way. But the man did answer our questions so I got what I wanted. 

 This week at district counsel we discussed the talk by Richard G. Scott called "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" which is a really cool talk connecting faith and character and I challenge everyone to read it. A quote that I like from it reads "This mortal life is a proving ground. How well you meet its challenges determines how strong your character will be. Your faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings fortifies your character." We are on this earth to be tested and those tests build character. It makes me think of a Calvin and Hobbes comic where Calvin is pretending to be his dad and says, "Calvin go do something miserable it builds character." But hard things help us grow! So read the talk and consider you faith and character. So sorry this got so long but I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Seibert

Trailer Parks and Slumber Parties

Hey everyone!!

I wish there wasn't an and in my subject line and it said trailer park slumber party but sadly those are two separate things that happened this week. 

But yeah! This week started out with sister Toone and I trying to find some members in a trailer park at night which was kind of sketch but not and it was a great time! Especially because everyone there spoke Spanish and we did not. When one kid answered the door he said, "I don't speak english." And me, being the uber smart person I am responded, "but you just did!" As a joke. In English. To someone who just told me they don't speak English. But I thought I was funny so that's all that matters right? 

Other highlights from the week include Zone council on Friday which was elementary school themed so we had class then our brown sack lunches and played four square for recess. I made it to A square at least once so I'm pretty much a pro. Saturday morning we got up early to play soccer as a zone and I can confidently say I am NoT a pro at soccer. But it was still fun. We had some really cool lessons this week and talked to some really cool people while knocking. And yesterday I went on exchanges and spent the day working with the Spanish ward so that was cool. I kind of just smiled and waved. Or nodded. And then last night all the sister in our zone came to our house for a sleepover and we made pancakes this morning. So that was really fun.

We also all shared something we learned from our personal studies this week and one sister shared how she Was told to change her 'what ifs' even if. So what if this tumor is cancerous becomes even if this tumor is cancerous... I still have my family to support me, or I know there are treatments I can start... or what if I'm not good enough becomes even if I'm not good enough I know Christ can help me. So I challenge all of y'all to try to change that mind set in your lives! Love you all and hope you have a superb week!

Love,

Sister Seibert

Pics include us at the sweet trailer park, a knocking session we had with the elders in our ward and two members, Shaneese and Ramon, and Sister Toone and I at our branch presidents house for dinner Sunday night with their beautiful backyard.

Spooky Octopi

Good morning! 

This week was a great time! We had zone conference this past Wednesday where we all got our flu shots! I literally signed my life away to Walmart and it was not the greatest feeling in the world. But the lady who gave me the shot was very nice so so far it's been a good deal. 

Halloween was also great- we had to be in at 8 so we made muddy buddies and watched some fun old church videos. 

Saturday a bunch of missionaries blitzed a neighborhood which happened to be a Jewish neighborhood so that made for some fun stories. The best one being my companion and another sister had a nice jewish man ask them for all the cards and stuff they had so he could give it to his friends only to start yelling as he walked away- "these are all going in the trash! This is a jewish neighborhood! You are wrong" So that was fun.

Also I just ate some octopus ceviche this morning. Interesting. You could actually see the tiny tentacles which was cool. I'd eat it again. 

 This week we were in the car listening to a song which said, "how do you measure the worth of a man, by wealth or strength or size? By how much he gained or how much he gave? And I think that's a good thing to keep in mind- that giving brings more meaning and joy  in this life and not gaining. I love you all and hope everyone has a good week! 

Love,

Sister Seibert

Pics- downtown Miami and a view from one of the college campuses we go to a lot

I Live in Florida

Hey everyone!!!

I'm in flo-rida baby! It's awesome here, so pretty, so green, so flat that when you go up over an on ramp you can see so far of green palm trees and pink clouds . It's a good time. The biggest hill here is a land fill called trash hill. So that's fun. Iguanas are an invasive species here so they are cool to see. There's tiny little geckos everywhere here and they're so cute. 

There are so many cultures here it's amazing. In my mission there's missionaries that speak Haitian creole,  Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Yesterday we knocked on this old Cuban lady's house and she had us come is and was talking super fast Cuban Spanish and she was so funny because even though she knew we did not speak Spanish she continued to talk so fast and not using any English. It was fun. Also almost everyone here is religious and it's so cool just to ask people about their beliefs and what church they go to because not too many people go to church in California. 

Oh yeah my last couple days in the MTC were awesome and I didn't get called in to speak in sacrament meeting. We took some fun pics. My trainer/companion is Sister Toone, and she's from Alberta Canada. She's awesome, I love her. We are serving in the Miami Lakes YSA which is so fun. 

I love you all and hope y'all have an amazing week!

Love,

Sister Seibert

Pictures

Hey Everyone!

I just assumed everyone on this email list would LOVEE to get emails from the fabulous Sister Seibert since I never asked if anyone wanted my email, but if you don't want the weekly updates from your favorite missionary just reply 'unsubscribe' and I will take you off the list. On the other  hand if you know anyone who WANTS to get my email (which im sure people will be knocking down your doors once they hear you get these emails) please let me know.

But Anyway! Its been two weeks here at the MTC and its great! My district is super cool and we are all super close. Theres 8 elders and 4 sisters. All the sisters live together and we have bonded over SIster Taylor falling off the bunk bed multiple times. I've been learning a lot, classes are awesome. And it's cool that everyone here is in the same boat.

Time for an embarrassing Sister Seibert story!

So there is an elder in our district from Nigeria and for some reason I thought Nicaragua and then he shows up, with black skin and a Nigerian accent and i just accepted in my head that he was from Nicaragua. Then about halfway through the second day it clicked and I realized he was from NiGERIA Not Nicaragua. Really breaking stereotypes for basic white girls out here in the MTC.

. But His name is elder Nwubani and he's actually so cool. He's 25 and an attorney and is so funny. He says British slang which is cool bc he went to school in London. 

Anyways, love you all!! Hope everyone is doing well!

 love, 

Sister Seibert

Some pics- the first one is all of my district and the rest is various parts of it. It was bright out at the temple. 

I Made It!

I made it to the MTC. I'm good and I'm smiling so it's good:) love you guys. My P-day is next Thursday.

Love,

Sister Seibert