Questions!

I forgot about this blog! But I have gotten a lot of questions from you about clothing allowed at Temple Square. This is a hard one because I keep hearing that the rules change. If you leave a comment with your questions, I will do the best I can to answer them.
Also, I have a board on my Pinterest of cute clothes that I would have worn on my mission.
Hope this helps!

Sister Missionary Style

xoxo
Lauren

My Passion for Modest Skirts is Alive and Well.

I'm back in real life! Things are going great and  am looking forward to starting school this Spring. I know that there are a lot more sister missionaries preparing to serve! I am no professional by any means but please feel free to contact me with any question you might have. It is hard to find attractive and affordable missionary clothes, I know! I'd like to share my favorite website that I found a lot of clothes from before I left.

ASOS

Love, Lauren

Home Again!

 

 

 

 

 

Just before getting released

Signing Off From Temple Square

To Sister Call in Independence, MO--Carry On, Carry On, Carry On!

It is hard to believe that this is the last email I'm writing to all of you as a full-time missionary. So many thoughts are going through my mind about my experiences over the last year and a half but I don't know how to make sense of it all in one short summary.

I have been thinking lately about what I have learned here. So, so much. I have come to the conclusion that the thing I have gained the deepest understanding of is charity, the pure love of Christ.  I have come to know and love so many people.  The people who call the Church hotline number, people who chat with us online, people who walk onto Temple Square, and of course the incredible people in Colorado where I served my outbound. The testimony that’s in my heart has reached all over the globe, from one tiny 10 acre square that is my mission. There are a lot of misinformed members out there who think serving at Temple Square would be easy or that we don't do "real" missionary work. But in what other mission could I have the experience of teaching someone in Hong Kong by telephone or computer while an investigator I taught is getting baptized in the Bahamas on the same day?

Temple Square is a sacred and wonderful place; I love it here and I have loved my time serving as a full-time missionary for the Lord. It will always feel like home... The next phase of my life awaits me and now after serving a mission I feel I’m actually prepared for it all! I can't imagine getting married and having a family without knowing what I do now after a year and a half of the refining experiences that the Lord has put me through. I am so thankful for all of the things I've learned here. And I'm so excited to be back in real life again; it's gonna be crazy!

Well, there is some sort of a Temple Square sister missionary talent show here on Friday night at the assembly hall. We have been practicing at 7:30 in the morning this week how to walk with a flag, how and when to wave it...
...I'm learning Patience.

Anyways, I will see you next week!

Love and please CTR,

Sister Jarvie
Signing off for the last time from Temple Square

--

Sister Lauren Jarvie
2011-2013

Temple Square Mission

50 N. West Temple St. Rm. BSVC

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

A visit from my "big sis" Malia Tarayao Johnson

 



Moving Forward!

A visit from the Owens and Joneses

I got the best news this week! LISA AND CAITLYN got baptized! They are a mother and daughter we taught in Colorado. I called Lisa on Saturday to check on her and see how she was doing and she told me they got baptized 3 weeks ago! I was so happy for them! Brother Keicher said that they're doing great and so is the Perez family. It is so different to be at Temple Square and try to keep in contact with them. I am so happy that they are all doing great, I love CO! I can't wait to go back and visit after my mission. When I told Brother Keicher that I got into BYU he was like "ohhhhhh I'm so sorry!" hahah He hates BYU because he is a big Utah State guy. He's so funny.

Sister Cardita and I have a lot of the same past experiences. It helps us a lot in teaching because we are super unified. We seriously have so much in common and it’s so fun to teach people with her. We have been helping someone recently who I think we are really getting through to and it seems like he is ready to make permanent life changes for the better, which is awesome! He will be so blessed if he does.

I am so excited to be able to connect with all the people I have helped throughout my mission on Facebook once I’m released!

I have been able to take some time this past week and get all registered for my classes at BYU; it’s getting closer and closer!

Things are moving forward!

CTR

Xoxox

Sister Jarvie
--

Sister Lauren Jarvie

Temple Square Mission

50 N. West Temple St. Rm. BSVC

Salt Lake City, Ut 84150

Temple Square Security and Me...

 



Things Are Wrapping Up Around Here

Sister Rodrigues Pinto, Sister Di Liberto, Sister Jarvie
Lauren trained Sister Di Liberto, Sister Di Liberto trained Sister Rodrigues Pinto!

Monday we had what is called the "Finish Strong" meeting for the sisters who are in their last transfer. It was really good and pretty much all about not fizzling off towards the end of your mission. It is so hard to stay concentrated. I figure the reason behind that stems from the time of year I am finishing my mission. This month and last month have been stressful because of applying both to BYU and as a counselor at EFY during the summer. It has been a major distraction! But President said that if we know what we are going to do after, start the process, because life will keep moving along. Today I found out that I got accepted to BYU! And last week I was hired to work EFY during the first half of the summer. Now at last, everything is all put together and I can FINISH STRONG!

Sister Cardita is so hilarious! We have so much in common and will say the same thing at the same time occasionally. Yesterday, after eating lunch at the COB, we almost got run over by Elder Quentin L. Cook!!! Today security told us he is a fast driver, and that is true, I'm a witness.

West Gate is still treating us well. Especially the past week, it has snowed a few days!

Sister Cardita is almost done with her mission too, she is in her 11th transfer, so we have a lot of fun. Both of us have had a lot of encounters with crazy/weird/creepy people during our missions so we've been talking with security a lot lately! But I will tell all those stories when I get home haha!

I saw an old friend of mine by the temple this week! He said him and his friend were going to the temple for the last session of the night. It was so cool, Im so proud of him. He had good news about a few of my friends back home and it really made my day. We are all fighting our own battles in life, to help us grow stronger. There is a great story in the Ensign this month that tells of a woman who struggled with a serious drug addiction, now 15 years later or something, nobody would have ever guessed she had gone through that. I pray that all the people I know who struggle with that can be like that woman one day. The Atonement covers e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. The Atonement is real she said. I have witnessed it myself that's for sure, the odds are in our favor.

xoxoxoxoxo

Sister Jarvie

CTR

Hangin' with the Mission Presidency

Sisters Forever!

 



One Month to Go!

Sister Fredrickson and me

So this final transfer I have three assignments that are keeping me super busy. I'm still a district leader, I'm still assigned to west gate of Temple Square, and now I'm the TMSQ Blogger. Wow, I am on an emotional roller coaster with my release one month from today! But so busy that I don't have time to write today! I've sent a few pictures, so enjoy! Oh, and great news! I got three contract offers to work all three sessions at EFY in Santa Barbara this summer! It will start one week after my spring term at BYU ends! I'm so excited! I have to get back to them right now during my email time to accept the offers. 

I'll be back next week, but I have to run now!

Love you

CTR

Sister Jarvie

Visit from the Stayners!

Beginning My Final Transfer!



With Sister Dalton to film a video

A few of us had a really neat opportunity on Friday to be part of a filming at the Conference Center! The video will be used for a Youth Conference for the Middle East and Northern Africa Areas of the church. The youth in those areas had sent in questions for a question and answer portion that will be shown after they watch the devotional. So we acted as the youth and asked their questions to the General Young Women's President, Elaine S. Dalton, and two other General Authorities! It was awesome! There were about 6 companionships of us there and we were all told to come looking our best for the camera! It was so cool!! Afterwards we got to spend a while with Sister Dalton. We told her about what we do on Temple Square and she seemed so impressed. I asked her about the Young Women's values ribbons and she said we could still do it! Later that day, my companion and I got to West Gate at 3pm and Sister Dalton's secretary came to talk to us! She had put together a few of each ribbon and the virtue value booklets! Enough for each of us! I cannot express how great that was! I felt so special that she had remembered me and all the rest of the Sisters! I am so thankful for that opportunity to meet her and that she could help us continue with our personal progress! She is the best I just love her!

Well it was my "last transfer conference that really meant anything." At least that's what one of the sisters said, haha! Because when we have the next transfer conference I will be transferring home instead of to a new assignment on Temple Square! So this transfer I get to stay at West Gate and my new companion is Sister Cardita!! I'm so excited! She's coming back from outbound today so she's not here yet; she'll get here at 2pm! It's gonna be so fun!
So Monday was when we had transfer conference. We all went to the Conference Center Theater to hear Michael McLean play the piano and sing to us! He was so funny! He is so creative. He will start a story and then play the piano while he tells the rest. It was so awesome! We didn't need a PEZ dispenser for this one (haha Seinfeld). It was a fun night.

I spoke at Church on Sunday in our little Temple Square missionary ward. We have our church service early in the morning each Sunday in the mezzanine chapel of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Each of us gives a sacrament talk before the end of our mission here. Lucky for me, I could get that done last week and not have to worry about it this transfer.

Sister Fredrickson left for outbound to SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA! She is going to love it! I will try so hard to go up there when I get home and take her and her companion to dinner or something!

Oh this is funny, so I have an added assignment this transfer... I am the first Temple Square Blogger. Sister Gillette (President Gillette's wife) has been keeping a blog but now I think I am going to do it. So we'll see how that goes; I don't know a thing about it yet! haha

xoxo,

Sister Jarvie
CTR

Mom's Missionary Countdown Calendar

My new companion Sister Cardita!
 

 

Crazy Weather!

Sister Hoyt, Rique Carroll, Sister Jarvie

We've had a lot of crazy weather this week! On Thursday Salt Lake had FREEZING RAIN! Not just regular cold rain. The rain would freeze as soon as it hit the ground! Everything was covered in sheets of ice and people were slipping and sliding everywhere! The Square closed that day. So we all had to go home! I was kind of bummed because I like to just keep going and our pday had been the day before. I was mostly studying all day and doing my nails!

On Saturday we were just about to leave West Gate and RIQUE and Taylor come walking up! Taylor is my companion’s cousin; it was so good to see them. We took them around Temple Square and caught up for a while. Rique is so cute, she made me a bunch of note cards and envelopes! I love them! Thank you so much Riq!

Sunday it snowed SO MUCH! We had so much fun playing in the snow! Also there were a bunch of cars getting stuck in the snow. So a group of us went out to the street on North Temple to help push these cars out of the snow! It was so crazy! You should have seen us all pushing behind these cars! We had so much fun and it was so great to help people! I took some pictures. Anyways, I think I might have fractured one of my fingers, haha. Typing is a little painful right now. Not too many visitors to the Square in this weather but lots of contacting and teaching on the phone and web. So fun!

LOVE

Sister Jarvie

CTR

xoxoxo



He Sendeth An Invitation Unto All!

Sister Hoyt, Sister Jarvie and Matt Clayton

Sneaking a picture 

 There’s not much time to write today, but I do have two things to say. First, President Seppi is the man! He is in our mission presidency. He is so kind and really follows the promptings of the Spirit. We had an incident at West Gate on Saturday. This man who just got out of jail came to our booth and was asking us for the phone number of a transient bishop so he could get some help. I told him to go stand by the heater while I tried to find his number. The problem was that it was Saturday, so no one was available in the Church Office to help. So I called President Seppi because he always knows what to do. Anyways, we were both calling around to find someone to help this man. Nothing was working. So President Seppi drove all the way up here to Temple Square! He met with the man and he ended up getting some help for him. We gave him a Book of Mormon and invited him to be baptized! He came back to the square the other day to thank me and Sister Hoyt. He will be moving to CA now so I hope he gets baptized. He took the missionary lessons in jail! Moral of the story...Alma 5:33—“Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.”

Second, Elder L. Whitney Clayton came to speak to us on Sunday! It wasn't a surprise though because President Gillette had told me months ago, before I even went outbound! The Gillette’s and the Clayton’s are in the same ward, and President Gillette knew that Matt and I are friends. It was so great to hear from them! Matt came with them and we had made plans to sit with him! It was like summers of old! Anyways, the messages were so inspiring. I was hanging on to every word. It was exactly what I needed to hear!

 

Other than that, those of us going home in 8 weeks are taking care of BYU admissions business because everything is due by February 1^st.  And some sisters in my class say their parents have already received the flight information for March 20^th.  It’s hard to believe!
Well I hope everyone is having a good week!

LOVE YOU!

CTR

Xoxoxoxo

Sister Jarvie



I couldn't feel any more blessed!

I took Eddie Perez on a Temple Square tour!

The best thing happened last night! Eddie Perez came to Temple Square! It was awesome. We showed him the temple model and the sealing room video. We told him about how that's where they will be next year as a family, after they’ve been baptized for one year!

Then we took him over to the North Visitors center to see the Christus and then "God's Plan for His Family" video presentation. Right when it finished he said “this was great, Yza would totally be crying right now.” Hahah!

After a nice look at Temple Square we took him over to look around Deseret Book. It was so fun to show him all the little things the Church has to help families invite the Spirit more into their home. So we looked around there for a few minutes and he got a couple little things. Don't worry, we got a picture!

It is so incredible to see someone who I taught and challenged to be baptized barely over a month ago come to TEMPLE SQUARE and buy CTR stuff at Deseret Book! It gives me a whole new perspective on the guests we have here every day. Eddie came here during the time I was in Colorado too, before being baptized. And the sisters took him around. Just think, that could be ANYONE we meet here at Temple Square. Every single one is a potential “Eddie!” We might not ever know in this life what kind of effect we have on people. I testify even the smallest act of goodness will make an impression on people. We all have a responsibility to plant those seeds. The Lord has taught us that “the field is white already to harvest.” That means that if we do our part: be loving, be good examples, and be bold with our testimonies, those whose hearts the Lord has prepared WILL come unto Him!

The Perez family is coming to Utah for General Conference this April!!!! I'm so happy that I will be done with my mission by then because I will have more freedom to spend time with them haha!

Man, I had no idea this would all happen from that first time we simply went to Yza's door and gave her a Book of Mormon. It's INCREDIBLE! I couldn't feel any more blessed!

Another blessing came last Friday! We were ordered to close Temple Square because of all the snow! So everything Church owned totally shut down! All that we were allowed to do was go back to our apartment building and hang out! It was so fun!

Well, other than that we are just trying to stay warm!

Stay happy and CTR!

xoxoxoxo

Sister Jarvie

From Sister Gillette, the Mission President's wife

I'm Back!!!

Sister Jarvie and Sister Fredrickson, reunited!

Goodbye COLORADO! Hello TEMPLE SQUARE!

I have already been back here for a week! It feels like forever ago that I was helping Alyssa Perez get ready for the New Years dance but I also feel like I just got here.

It was amazing coming back. I had a direct flight from Colorado Springs this time, and when I arrived at Salt Lake City Airport Sister Fredrickson was waiting at the bottom of the escalator for me! It was so fun, we totally hugged and cried!

So I am serving at West Gate this transfer!!! Woooo!!! I seriously have always wanted to serve there. Jenna Mettra served there for 3 transfers! I am so excited! West Gate is literally at the ‘west gate’ of Temple Square. It is where the motor coaches arrive and where the language tours are arranged. It can be really fast-paced and busy and stressful at times--that’s what I love about it! I am a district leader again and my new companion is Sister Hoyt from Murrieta, California.

So it has also been a little strange being back because I don't know so many of the new sisters! There are well over 30 sisters that I knew who are outbound now, and so many that have come in from the MTC, and so many that have gone home!  Things change pretty fast when you are off the square for two transfers! It feels so different. But it is so nice to be able to teach regularly again. Even though the square isn't busy at all (it's actually always kind of dead) this time of year, we still get access to a lot of finding through the phone and online. And I am already starting to see success! I love finding and teaching!

All of us that just came back from outbound are struggling getting back into the old grind! hahha I haven't had a time to do studies ALL WEEK because we have had early morning meetings haha We are so tired!

Anyways, it is so so good to be back!

Have a good week!

xoxox

CTR

Sister Jarvie

Mom's Countdown Calendar

To the Perez Family--God be with you 'til we meet again

Post-baptism blow dry

My Last Week In Colorado!

Gary's Baptism!

My Zone Leader, (such a hipster!)

Well well! I really cannot believe that I am done with my outbound experience! And it will be the beginning of a new year. I can't even wrap my head around how scary this is! I have been keeping a "One Line a Day" journal since August 30, 2010. So I just write a little something about what’s going on each day of the year. On New Year’s day January 1, 2012 I wrote, "This year will be 100% dedicated to the Lord. This whole year, I will be a missionary". I feel like I just wrote that a minute ago. And now this incoming year, 2013, I will not be a missionary for part of it! I only have a couple months left. This means I have to go back to real life?! Don't get me wrong, I'm excited! It's fun to think about but there's also a lot of pressure. Mostly because of "the unknown". For now, I try my best to maintain my focus, but applying for school makes this difficult. I'll take any suggestions.  My mom sent me this great poem that I love. It’s called “God Knows” but is often referred to as “The Gate of the Year”--

God Knows

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness

and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light

and safer than a known way.”

I am sad to leave Colorado! I have made so many great relationships here. I know I've said this so many times but everyone I've met here is so fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better outbound experience. Everyone in Parker, Colorado better know that as soon as I can, I will be back to visit you all. Thank you so much and I love you!
I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years tonight!
SET A SPIRITUAL GOAL FOR 2013!
xoxoxo
LOVE YOU
Sista Jarvs
--

New old address:

Sister Lauren Jarvie
Temple Square Mission
50 N. West Temple St. Rm. BSVC
Salt Lake City, Ut 84150
sisterlaurenjarvie.blogspot.com



Merry Christmas to All!

 

Merry Christmas! I am so thankful for this time of year. This is the second Christmas that I have been on my mission and this year is a lot different. Last year at Temple Square I never had much time to settle down and enjoy the season. The feeling this year seems more real than all the thousands of people and lights. Today we went to a lady's house to help her wrap Christmas presents. She said she is usually up until 2 in the morning wrapping but we were able to get it all done in 3 hours! We also spent the last week wrapping presents for another young family. I really enjoy doing any service for the people here. Especially at Christmas. I would rather tthat they be able to spend more time with their family than stay up all night worrying about getting things wrapped. I think that's what it should be all about. Tomorrow is Christmas day; I hope everyone can relax and think about Jesus. Christmas is a fun tradition and shouldn't be stressful. I always think about the talk by Dieter F. Ucthdorf,"Of Things That Matter Most". This is a wonderful time of the year, really, I love it! But I hope we don't get lost in the shreds of torn up wrapping paper.
This past week has been the best! The Perez family got baptized last Sunday. Then on Saturday Gary got baptized! They all got confirmed yesterday. It was so incredible; I really don't know how else to put it. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than being baptized and giving ourselves as a gift to God. Next year will be even better! The Perez family will be sealed in the temple! And Gary and his wife will also be sealed in the temple. At Christmas time!!! This is all I needed for Christmas. To see both these families fully come unto Christ is the greatest gift I could get. I am so blessed to have come here at this time and help these families move forward in the gospel. There is nothing greater than this.
I received a tender little mercy this week. I was having a hard time with the situation of the day, so this just made everything perfect! I got a letter from a sweet person who wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas! I won't tell their name but she is now a sweet friend in Michigan.
"Sister Jarvie,
I am not a member of your church but I read your blog each week. I honor you for your service and also for the way you seem to have a caring and positive attitude towards those who are exploring your church rather than judging them based upon your own agenda. I believe the Savior would approve of that attitude.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us through your blog.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed 2013 as you complete your mission and move forward into the next phase of your life.
Best Wishes,
*Michigan friend"
I just want to say, thank you so much! It really made my day. We need more people like you in the world! Even though we're not of the same church, we can still rejoice in Christ, it's perfect. I'm so happy to hear that my experiences as a missionary are reaching over the globe. I hope anyone who reads my humble little emails home will take a look around mormon.org or lds.org. I know that if anyone does they will be uplifted by the messages shared. Especially Christmas Is... Ad campaign on mormon.org.
I love you all and I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!
xoxox
Sister Jarvie
--

Sister Lauren Jarvie

CO- Colorado Springs

11825 MeadowoodLn.

Parker, CO 80138

sisterlaurenjarvie.blogspot.com



Baptism!!!!

Many blessings ahead for the Perez Family!

Yesterday was the baptism of the Perez family! It was beautiful. We had a pretty crazy week so we weren't able to go and see them as often as we would have liked to. But everything came together for the baptism so it was great! It was announced in Sacrament meeting and so many people came, I've never seen anything like it. We held the whole program in the chapel and then everyone walked down to the relief society room for the baptism.

We helped them get ready and all we girls walked into the baptistery where the little waiting area is. It was so special to stand there with them and watch as Brother Keicher baptized Eddie. It was incredible! The Spirit was so strong!! I loved to see Eddie’s face as he watched his wife and children also get baptized. I love this family! They are so strong! I am so happy for them because I know they are coming closer to Christ each day they move forward in His gospel. This will bring so much happiness to their family!

Something that is hard for me to explain is the way they looked to me after they were baptized. I saw each of them in a completely new way. I could see that the Spirit was with them, they were glowing! It was such a sacred experience.

After that I got to work on Alyssa's hair, she’s 15 so it needed to be dried and straightened before we went back to the chapel haha it was so fun! I think her hair dried in maybe 6 minutes! It was also her 15th birthday and I got her the cutest little “tiara” birthday card. It said Birthday Princess and had hot pink glittery feathers on it! The best part is that she could wear it.

So when we all got back into the chapel, I gave the talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a very powerful baptismal service. Then we went to the gym to have refreshments of course.

It was the best week of my mission!!!

I can't believe I go back to Temple Square in 2 weeks! Time has flown!

This Saturday is Gary's baptism. This is an investigator we have been working on since I got here, we’re so excited! And we will have 5 confirmations on Sunday! Oh my goodness!

Love you all!

xoxoxoxo

Sister Jarvie

CTR

-

Sister Lauren Jarvie

CO- Colorado Springs

11825 Meadowood Ln.

Parker, CO 80138

sisterlaurenjarvie.blogspot.com