Do FIRST Things FIRST and SECOND Things NOT at All.

Missionaries LOVE mail!

Dear Family and Friends,

There is so much I could talk about today.... I honestly don't know where to begin....

I attended the temple dedication of the Ogden temple via satellite in the Joseph Smith Memorial building the last session. Elder Oaks, Pres. Ballard and Sister Burton spoke. It was really good! I have been trying hard to not make a ton of notes in meetings and devotionals.The instruction seems to go in one ear and out the other when I do that. I have now been writing the whisperings of the spirit in my planner on a daily basis. Things I want to do to be changed.  I feel that is a lot more productive.

Just got back from a ZL meeting it really motivated me to help the sisters in my zone! Speaking of being more productive I love what President taught us today. He shared with us the  way some of the most successful businesses achieve success. He based it off of this quote: "Do first things first and second things not at all"  He taught us to create a Daily Priority Task list. Its a little hard to explain over an email but I will send a picture of it in the future and explain more. Applying these skills will solve a lot of my stress about feeling like things are falling through the cracks. I can't wait to apply what he said.

P day always just seem so long and unproductive. Funny because it is called preparation day....

Sorry this is really scattered. I'm just in one of those can't sit still moods; but I have to stay with my companion.... oh well...

Remember you are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than you Seem, and Smarter than you Think.
Sister Bascom

Conference Center

http://ldsliving.com/story/76671-30-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-conference-center?page=1

I bet Sistah Bee know all these things plus more.

One Final ROUND

Sister Bascom started her mission of with her trainer Sister Dias from Brazil. 

Dear Family and Friends,

Well I love my new companion and our zone is going to rock the square this transfer again! (Mommy note: Lani's new comp is Sister Souza. She is from Brazil and they are both in their last transfer. Her parents are also picking her up.)

I have a lot of friends that are returned missionaries that talk about how much they miss this work and teaching all the time. This makes me want to savour every minute I have left. 

But this last week has been kinda hard. I feel like I am going through a little more purifying, the Lord isn't going to let me rest just yet. Nope not in my last 6 weeks of the mission. There have been the usual trials of the mission. Trying to find those who are prepared for the gospel and not get discouraged about those who aren't yet ready. Every person I seem to talk to have those deep questions that I still can't answer myself and bother me too…(I hate not being able to answer someones question.) Its really been a trial of faith, these last few days. 
My progressing investigator was about to drop us before I reminded him of how he felt on Temple Square. 

Relief Society was really what I needed though. There were 4 speakers all talking about how Temple Square had changed their lives. To hear about people that were touched by us without us really knowing it is really good.

As for the zone, it hasn't changed a ton. The DLs are the same awesome sisters. We have the best trainers in our zone! Sister Yeung is the new AP :p  We met with the DLs yesterday and we were able to talk about what we really want our sisters to feel this transfer and for the rest of their missions. The spirit was really present. We talked about really owning the square and the he power and authority of our calling. It was awesome! I can't wait for training meetings. This transfer will be great!

Remember you are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than you Seem and Smarter than you Think
Sister Bascom

And Finishing with Sis Souza also from Brazil. 

Conference is COMING, Be Prepared!

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, this week has been great! I felt the Father using me a lot this past week. I have shared my fear and hate of divorce this last week with quite a few people; mostly young people. The new fact I have learned is that RMs that marry each other have a 2% divorce rate. This has really lessen my fears in  the future of marriage and makes me so happy I have served a mission and that my mom and dad did too. The people I have shared this with have been completely blown away and they said that was something they had been thinking about a lot. I'm glad I can serve them in that way. I love being a tool in his hands and following the promptings I receive. I haven't always done it... I wish I had cause I know there are so many blessings behind each one. So much of the time I have said to myself  No we are already late. or  I don't want to disturb them...All very silly things to think when the spirit just told you to go talk to someone. I pray we never tell the spirit off. The spirit has feelings too and if you keep hurting it he won't stick around to keep sharing...

Again so many miracles this week:

I had a  woman on German tour the other day that referred herself. She won't be home for another month but she really wanted to read the Book of Mormon. We could tell she didn't 100% agree with her present faith and she just lite up when we told her about the Book of Mormon.

We followed a prompting to talk to a young man on our way home. Now we are helping him prepare for a mission. He is SO excited to have more direction in his life.

A has been having a hard week this week, but she knows what she has to do. I'm glad that she trusts us so much. I really feel like I have found a life long friend :)

S was back in UT and so he came down to Temple Square if he is still here Sunday we want him to come to church and Music and The Spoken Word with us. :) We taught him about modern day prophets and he was just itching to watch all the videos we had from General Conference and the testimony of the 12 and the prophet. So we ended the lesson and let him run wild by himself after we invited him to be baptized. Now we need him to go to church in between all the driving he does....

Conference is just around the corner. Conference is like Christmas to me even though I don't get physical gifts I get the questions of my soul answered through a living day prophet, what better gift could you get? I always love to play a game where I  take a question to general conference. If the prophet or one of the apostles don't answer it through the spirit than this isn't the true church. It is always answered. I know the Thomas S Monson is a prophet. He speaks in behave of Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Redeemer. His and the Fathers purpose is for us to be happy here and to return to live with him again. I can't wait to be there with him.

 I am also looking  forward to the new transfer. So many wonderful sisters leaving including my trainee to CA for her outbound. :( But I can't wait to see the Sisters who are coming back to us, namely Sister Ma so I can hug her, and Sister Steenhock so I can ask her all about DC :) I love my mission, I love what he is making me into, I know he loves you, much more than I could.I hope you all prepare to listen to the prophet in just a few short weeks and have the questions of your soul answered. 

In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Remember you are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than you Seem and Smarter than you Think.
Sister Bascom

Peaks, Hula and Miracles

We went to Ensign Peak for a zone activity today. When we got to the top I realized that it was almost a year since I climbed that peak for my first time. I really got to think about how I have changed and what is different between now and then. We had a great testimony meeting with the zone. We shared about what we thought when we opened our calls and how we are truly becoming the missionaries the Lord wants us to be.

I am so proud of the zone, they are all trying so hard to be effective in their mission responsibilities and the numbers show it. We are the smallest zone in the mission (16 sisters), but we are leading the mission is several key indicators. There is always room for improvement, but I'm just glad they can see where they are at and feel accomplished and move forward taking that confidence with them.

Ali whom is preparing to serve a mission.

I did hula dancing this morning and all the polly sisters were amazed at how naturally it came to me (My grandma always wanted me to be a hula dancer.) New work out in the morning? Check! Maybe someday I will be hula dancer and perform all over the islands in the south pacific :D Performing will always be a love of mine. I love going to the performances we have here on Temple Square as well, they have quite a few good ones.

We have had so many miracles this week, I just feel so blessed. First Ali my no longer less active is preparing to serve a MISSION!!!!! I can't even explain how much I love this girl, she has become my sister. She puts her papers in the 1st of Oct and says she will open is her call on Temple Square :D She has come so far and I know she will be the most amazing missionary.

Al, he isn't my investigator but, every time I see him we get to have the most awesome conversations. He has changed a lot from who use to be. I have been able to share some gospel principles that helped him to change. This is why I love being a missionary.

Last and best, we took a call to close the Joseph Smith movie during our dinner. As we close it I stopped a couple and ask them what they thought of the movie (this is a great way to teach and testify about JS divine call and responsibility). He is a member who had seen it before and said it always brought tears to his eyes. The woman said it was her first time and she had just recently decided to read the Book of Mormon (She just got one from Deseret Books.) and start learning more. They are newly wedded couple (Okay 2yrs.) and she asked about temple sealings. We have an appointment Sunday :D

These are just to name a few, the Lord has been so merciful. Can't believe Conference is around the corner. They are putting up all the Christmas lights already too.

Time flies when you are having fun!

Remember you are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than you Seem and Smarter than you Think
Sister Bascom