Reflection

Well blogging people it has been quite some time since I have typed anything up. To be honest I forgot for a second that I even had a blog. I wanna start being better at posting the little things that are going on. So from the last time I posted and now. . .(oh boy that can be a little daunting) here I go. 
The main points:
   I have been home for One year and almost two months now!! I have stayed pretty involved in missionary work. Going out with the missionaries in my ward, being a friend to those that they were teaching helping them on the road to baptism. Invited a friend to listen to the missionaries. He wasn't interested but he did love church. I have given out two Book of Mormon's. I can honestly say that being involved with missionary work has saved me from being depressed. It is but isn't easy being an RM. Satan attacks even harder than before. There were many times that I felt so blue and grey and so alone I give partial saving credit to the Elder's that let me be and kept me involved and helped me keep the fire of missionary work in my life and heart

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Elder Logan (FL) & Elder Hansen (MD)

 My calling as RS President has also helped me stay above. Service. I have learned how important it is to keep serving. It adds a new meaning to Mosiah 2:17. When I am in the service of those around me, I am truly serving my Heavenly Father and you know what comes naturally into your life when you do this? HAPPINESS. Real lasting Happiness. Yes, it is stressful but that is what keeps me on my toes. I am learning a lot about myself and I am stretching. Plus I am loving my ward!! I am getting to know sister's (and brothers) that I have basically known my whole life and I truly love them! I am grateful to have the blessing continue to have the ability to love, to have Charity for those around me. 

The biggest lesson I have learned is the application of The Atonement. On September 13, 2013 (Friday the 13) I changed. It was a weird day. I worked all day. After work I was asked to babysit a dear family. I stopped at home to change my shoes and only stayed for a few min. I wasn't in a real hurry. I get in my car and text a few people back before I start the drive. Backing out of the drive way I ran something over. I turned to look and the gate was open. I then started to hear the most piercing noise. I LAID on the horn to have my dad come out. He did. The worst thing ever. That piercing noise was that of Zoey. Our family dog. She had gotten out of the gate. I didn't see her. It happened so fast. She was gone so fast. My dad is my hero. I know it wasn't easy for him to take care. I couldn't get out of car- half parked in the middle of the street. I was frozen. After taking care of Zoey my dad came to my aid. He pulled me out of the car and held me into his chest. We both cried. At that time my older, Wesley pulled up. My dad pulled my car back into the driveway as now my older brother was holding me. I was a mess , a terrible mess. My mom came home not long after. We held each other. I couldn't calm down. I received a Priesthood blessing from my dad and Wesley. Added testimony towards the Priesthood Power. I am calm but not at peace. The thought that kept coming to my mind was "Atonement. I covered this for you. The Atonement covers this, I can take this away from you." I didn't know how to let it go. It wasn't until the next day. Sunday. I knew that I could give it to my Savior. I was finally at peace with myself. What a long night that was. I am still trying to apply the Atonement. But I KNOW that the Holy Ghost was with me. That the Priesthood Power of God was give to the men in my life and they are worthy to use it. My oldest Brother, My Savior Jesus Christ took my pain from me. The Atonement is real and it is VERY POWERFUL. Then sings my Soul!! Two weeks later my dad and I bought a new puppy for my mom's birthday and for my therapy :-)

Zoey 2010-2013

Zadie 2013

 God is good and HE lives! Life is wonderful!

  

The Miracle: Kent Miller

  I am so overwhelmed with the blessings that my Father in Heaven as given me, and Kent Miller is one of them. I love this kid so much that I wanted to post this story! So it is mostly for me, but I hope you all enjoy it.

     REWIND: Ever since I was nine years old I wanted to serve a mission. When I reached the age of availability, I struggled. I knew I wanted to serve still but didn't understand why I was feeling so hesitant about it. I kept myself busy and active serving a mission was still in my mind. I turned to reliable sources to help me figure out what I was supposed to do with this decision, to serve or not to serve. The one source I kept going back to, was my Patriarchal Blessing, which only told me (I paraphrase) that "if I have the desire to serve, the decision would be mine and the spirit will confirm to me the right time." I thought "that could be anytime!" And didn't understand how that was supposed to help me. 

   My 23rd birthday hit and I still didn't really know what to do.  I started to prepare for the temple, in receiving my endowment. At this time I still wasn't sure if my time for a mission was just yet and I wasn't getting married, so my chances for the temple was slim. With LOTS of prayer and fasting I knew I was prepared and ready. March 24, 2010 Kevin and I received our endowment. A mission was still very heavy on mind. Internally my turning point of making the final choice was when I was watching Kevin prepare for his mission. Filling out the papers, the interviews, the actual call. I was living through him. He left and I was still . . . just there. I was in the temple every week, serving, that I know, is what helped me recognize the promptings of the spirit even more when I FINALLY knew that it was TIME to serve!

 FAST FORWARD: My First area in the mission. College Park YSA. Sister Whitney Christensen and I were in the MTC together, after only six weeks of training (out of the 12 week training program) we were made companions.Two new greenies, "what are we doing?!!" A couple weeks into the transfer we were struggling to find people of our own age to teach. I have read back on my journal entries that have reminded me of this time. We had just finished eating dinner with some members, who gave us the best pep talk of my life! We jumped on our bikes to ride to go knock doors. The words out of my mouth "Sister, the first person we talk to will be golden!" We turn the corner and continue on. (Insert picture here, that I wish I had lol) The first person we came across about two min later was a tall skinny white kid with sunglasses on and a del taco bag in his hand. We stopped our bikes and talked to him, giving him a pass-a-long card to break the ice. "I've been looking for this church!" -Kent Miller. He knew about the Mormon's. which was a surprise to us,  being from Mississippi. But he knew people that were members of the church. He agreed to let us come and teach him.

  Through lesson's, text messages and phone calls, we helped this kid as much as we could to  overcome temptations, old friends, old habits, questions about the Book of Mormon and the Bible, rides to church, activities, to stay on the right path for baptism. He was prepared. 



May 22, 2011



  Kent Miller moved home- to Mississippi September 2011. Due the change that took place inside of Kent, it inspired his parents to look into the church and learn. Devote southern baptist, they regconized the truth but not without struggle. September 17, 2011- Kent baptized his mom and dad, Kenny and Beverly Miller. (the burnette Elder is my cousin!! keepin the family!) 
 The Story gets better. . so stay with me here. We kept in touch the rest of my mission. Kent stayed strong and even became the best member missionary, by opening his mouth, by telling his friends about the church. Kent prepared to serve a mission himself. With me being home from the mission we always talked. I kept close tabs on him and his call. It came, he was called to serve in October 2012. What an incredible phone call, as I listened through the phone as he read that outloud. California Long Beach Mission.  I couldn't hold back the tears of excitment and gratitude.

 Sister Whitney Christensen and I made a trip to Mississippi. . . ^ The Call.




October 27, 2012- Baton Rouge Temple- Kent Miller Endowment



Kenny and Beverly Miller Endowment and  Sealed as Family October 27, 2012

I consider Kent Miller a blessing cus he is one of the many reasons I was supposed to go on a mission. I know that I was listening to the spirit to know the right time and I am grateful that I had the courage to go at the right time. Kent was living in Florida going to school at Full-Sail. He had moved there 6 months prior to us meeting him. The day we meet him he was praying to God to send him "help" "light" "guidance". His prayers were answered the moment two "Mormon girls on bikes" stopped and opened their mouths.

February 23, 2013-

 And now it is Elder Miller's turn.

Christmas in Comparison



This Christmas season I have been reflecting a lot about my Christmas as a missionary, and how I can make this Christmas just as special as last years. My mind draws a blank for a few seconds but then I remember why last year was so great. I was focused on my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is why last year was awesome. I am still dedicated to him. I am still striving to be a disciple of Christ, so Why can’t this year be just as great!?

 President Henry B. Eyring said it best:

"Many of you will in the Christmas season find ways to give food to people who are hungry. As you do, you bring joy to the Lord. Yet He taught us that there is a way to give an even more priceless and lasting gift. He said, 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst' (John 6:35). With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of eternal life."

 —Henry B. Eyring, "The Gift of a Savior.” Christmas Devotional Dec. 2010

I love that Christ is in and can be in everything that we do, in the season and during the year. I am so grateful for the mortal Life that He lived, the example that he was, and the Life that He lives now, for He does LIVE! I KNOW IT!

I love the words that the Angle spoke to the shepherds on the day of His humble birth: (Luke 2:10-11)

10 “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Fear Not! We have good tidings of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!! We have a Saviour!! We need not fear things in this life! This brings so much peace into my heart knowing that this Gospel is for me and everyone!

I hope this Christmas season you will feel the Joy as you remember Christ our Savior!

 

All My Love,

Shannon Durr

Hello- It's been awhile. . .

HEEEYY!!!! Remember me??! My last post was almost two years ago. .Feburary 2011. I can't believe it!

I have been on a mission and now I am home. Trying to get back into the swing of things. The adjustment has been good. The only hard parts is not crying at night cus I miss being a full-time missionary, teaching and serving the Lord's children in Florida, and getting back into the groove of having a social life. Social life includes dating even though I have already experienced a post mission heartbreak. Yay the joys of life!

Here’s a little update of what it has been like three months of my post mission life. A lot of things have taken place. I am working full-time as a front desk manager. I’m keeping up the good habits of reading my scriptures, prayer and attending my church meetings, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost most especially about school where to go, where not to go, when to go and such. It hasn’t been (and still isn’t) the easiest transition but the Lord is blessing me with trails and experiences that are teaching me and helping me grow. I love it!!

So my job. It is the most perfect job for me right now. I am able to interact with all sorts of people just like the mission. I have even been able to share my beliefs with a few people. Missionary opportunities are still all over the place! For example: There is a student named Scott. When he first came to the college he had on a couple CTR rings. The other night he noticed my CTR ring and we started to talk about it. I asked him if he was a member of the church, “No, I am not.” He said. So I asked him “why do you wear multiple CTR rings?” “I like what is means. It helps me.” We held a great conversation and I learned that he was baptized as an eight year old but hasn’t been to church in a really long time. I invited him “to go back”, “that he needed it.” I learned some more vital information and invited him to “start reading the Book of Mormon”. After a good five minutes of him thinking, he agreed. He had never read it before. I told him that I would start reading it from the beginning as well. SOOOO COOOL!!!!  He is going to come back into the fold! I am also working with a high school friend, Marcus, in hopes to get him to agree to meet with missionaries . . . again . . . and for the right reason ;-) It isn’t easy in Utah but it is possible, and there are people that are prepared and I am praying that I will find them for the missionaries.

Needless to say, I wanna get back into blogging, probably one post a week! So great ready for my adventures! 

 2013 is going to be AN EPIC year! So Stay tuned!

FIVE DAYS

The time is coming. It is creeping closer and closer!
Report to the MTC in Five days! I can't believe how fast 2 months have flown by for me to go out and serve my Heavenly Father and the people of Florida!
I Want EVERYONE to know how to write me. So Here I will post my addresses and if you haven't seen yet, My bestest friend, Treble is doing a missionary blog for me, on which you can follow and also get my addresses on.

sisterdurr11.blogspot.com

Reach me at the MTC for the first 3 weeks Until March 6
Sister Shannon Durr
MTC Mailbox # 192
FL-ORL 0307
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
dearelder.com is rockin too. Same day letters to me!!

Then after March 7 you can reach me at
Sister Shannon Durr
Florida Orlando Mission
10502 Satellite Blvd Ste E
Orlando, FL 32837-8426

Me. . A Missionary!

I can't believe that in a month from right now, this day I will be in the MTC! This past Sunday marked a month till I leave, and begin this journey of serving my Father in Heaven!

Lots of emotions stir inside of me as I try to comprehend what I am about to embark in. The sacrifice, I am surrendering to the will of the Lord. It wont be my time anymore, every single day, minute and second will be His!

I just want everyone to know that when it gets hard, I will, we all can, turn to our Savior. He is the one that will buoyed us up and make us stronger. That is what I want to remember. He is there for me. I am doing this for HIM and for my brothers and sisters who live in Florida who need to true and everlasting gospel.

I have a wonderful best friend who has made a blog, with all of you in mind. It is a blog where ALL my emails will be posted weekly.

sisterdurr11.blogspot.com

Will you please follow me and come on my adventure in Serving the Lord!

To My Dad!

Dear Father, Dad, Daddy

I wish you have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You seriously are one of a kind! I am very grateful to call you my DAD!



One of a kind dad that cares, understands and listens. I can always count on you showing up behind me!!!!
!


I love you lots and lots!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!