Baby Goats

This past week, I have spent some time reflecting on my mission: why I chose to serve a mission, but most importantly, why I stay! One year ago from this past Wednesday, I opened my mission call. I never knew the impact my mission would have on me. I never knew I could have such a deep, profound love for people just after meeting them one time.

When I first came out, my mission president told me, "It's not why you come out, it's why you stay." I know he wasn't lying when he said that.

To be honest, I don't really know why I chose to serve a mission. I honestly felt like I had my life figured out! As we all know, plans always change! Mine certainly did! I felt a strong urge that I needed to serve a mission! After a lot of praying and talking with my brother and parents, I decided that that's what I wanted to do!

Every single day, I gain a stronger witness of why I stay.

So, let me tell you a story.

We got a referral (where they put in a request to meet with us) from this guy. We sent him the typical missionary intro text! He responded immediately and told us he wanted to call. We called him Thursday night and shared with him the restoration! He was blown away!! He told us he wants to go to the celestial kingdom and he's gonna make sure he gets there haha! Like most people we teach, he has done a lot of drugs his whole life and never really had a relationship with God! Until one day, he realized that wasn't the life he wanted to live anymore and put in a request to meet with us! At the end of the call, he said a phrase that has stuck with me, and I'll tell you why. He said, "I wish I would've known all of these things my whole life, I feel like it's too late now."

We explained to him that it's never too late, and you can never wander too far!

But, for one thing, I have realized how incredibly lucky I have been to have the gospel in my life, my whole life! So many, in fact, TOO many people in the world are lost; they feel hopeless! They don't understand their purpose in life or why they are here on earth.

One of my favorite scriptures is D&C 123:12:

"For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it."

This motivates every day to find the one: the one who will do whatever it takes to make that covenant; the one who is kept from the truth because they know not where to find it!

Other little highlights:

We did service for a family that lives in the zone leaders' area but needed help moving wood in our area. They brought 2 baby goats, and we got to hold them! My life has literally been complete!!!! I never knew I would love baby goats so much, but holy crap, those things are adorable.

Had zone conference and exchanges this week with the sisters!! I was with Sister Barnard in Galesburg! It was so much fun!!!

Sister Otto just told me last night that Pekin is the meth capital of Illinois! Explains a lot 

It is finally warming up, which means everyone and their dog here is shirtless all the time. Mainly all the grown men. It's weird, to say the least hahahah.

This week was low-key a blur, so I'm just going to put a bunch of pics.

Also, happy birthday to three of my favorites this week!! I love you all.

I love you all!

Love, Sister Liljenquist

1. Car wash.

2-4. Birthday queens.

5. Baby goats.

6. George.

7-9. My favorite old guys, haha.

10. Me in action.

11. This is dummy fax!