Nov 21, 2016
Cartilage Jail

Dear family and friends,

Hey! So this may be my last email, because next week I'll be flying down to Anchorage and probably won't have time. So, this is it.

This week we found some cool people tracting and people came to church who needed to. I said some stuff to people.

We got our windshield replaced! We were by some sisters who were staying in because one is concussed and one was sick, so we went and did a puzzle with them and were entertained by their nonsensical conversation. California and oranges and the oven might be on.

This week and this year have been super amazing. I love serving other people. I love Jesus. I love being disciplined and waking up at 6:30am and exercising. I love the people here. I just seriously love it.

Being on a mission hasn't changed my life, but living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ everyday for eighteen months has. Knowing something and living it are two different but related things. That's why living it has changed my perspective. Go live something you know about.

Charity for all of you before this gets too serious,

Sister Christine Rollins

 

Nov 14, 2016
3,134 words for you!

Two exchanges! Gotta train all these Fairbanks sisters before I leave.

Gave a talk yesterday in church. Belief is an acceptance of words and ideas, but if you experience those words and ideas and develop a trust in them then you're gaining faith. Go read Alma 32, it'll tell you all about. Remember to pray, act, then reflect. (Also known as repentance, making covenants, and then receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost more... and then you have more faith and repent and make more covenants etc... wow, almost like the third missionary lesson! Crazy!)

I'm staying strong to the end! Don't use straight bleach in an enclosed bathroom with a really bad fan for more than an hour. You might almost suffocate. It's okay though, that's how she wanted it done.

Sister Rollins

Nov 7, 2016

The temple!

This week was fab. I headed down to Anchorage to go to the temple!

Mission Leadership Council was really awesome this week. I got to the airport and asked the zone leaders about their training... and they were like, we're not training! Apparently we're going to the temple instead! So that was awesome. Elder Davis and Sister Ewing and I all stayed in the celestial room a long time since it's been awhile for all of us.

We had a great Saturday back in North Pole. People like it when you come over when it's snowing, because then they can laugh at how cold you are and offer you hot chocolate. Less children means less chaos and a more spiritual experience for a tired mom.

I said goodbye to Dana this week, she's leaving and won't get back until after I leave. People are really cool!

Don't do drugs, stay off the street when it snows.

Sister Rollins

Oct 31, 2016

We all need someone to love... I guess

This week I learned that joy comes from loving people, so here's some people I love:

Mark and Maren! And their six boys. They are the most hilarious people I know. Bishop has one of the driest senses of humor I know of, but also is one of the smartest people I know. Yesterday when we ended up with no bread for the sacrament he turned it into a pretty sweet object lesson - what do we do when we don't have the sacrament to take, or can't take it? We wait, and we sit, and we reflect on the Savior and how we can renew our commitment to Him. Spiritual lesson #1 of the week.

Kathie and Mark! And their three kids, Hunter (13), Layla (7) and Aaron (3). They are NUTS, but in the best way possible. After feeding us dinner last night, Aaron wouldn't stop climbing all over me. He loves it when the missionaries come over, and doesn't know why but wants to tell us that. The only way he knows how is to attack us with love, which I don't mind... hazards of being an aunt of 12. Wrestling with 3 year olds is much easier than wrestling a bear. Lesson #2 of the week.

Margie and Russell! And their three kids that are probably the poster children of America. Jay might be jaywalking for Halloween, or he could be a blue jay... or he might just be a Rubik's cube. They are the best listeners, which mean they learn fast and know more than I ever did about what they learned in school and how to play Simon Says. Listen to people, and they will tell you what they want and then you can make them happy! Lesson #3.

Oh also, exchange! This sister is rocking it in Fairbanks!

Karla, Linda and Claire! They are some of the humblest, most sincere people I know. Their ability to rely on God astounds me. But you'd never know how awesome they are until you watch them struggle and struggle and still manage to rely on God. Lesson #4.

Betty, who I just met this week. She recently lost her husband and has been having a hard time, but she moved to Alaska and is somehow still the sweetest lady. She found a lot of comfort in Alma 40:11-12, and I hope we can keep helping her understand just how much God loves each of us and how we're never alone. Don't get crotchety when you're old, invite people in and then tell us we're crazy. Lesson #5.

And then there's many others whom I love, but I'll end with my favorite:

My good friend Jesus. He's always there for me. He laughs at me and with me, and I know He'll never be too far away to talk to. I don't have a lot of time left to live in Alaska, but I'll be forever grateful I'll always have Jesus as my best friend.

Sorry for the cheese! Hopefully it melts as it heads down to the lower 48 and is delicious rather than frozen.

Sister Rollins