I'm Still Here!

Howdy ALL! 

I know I have been missing in action....important life changing work is going on here :)

The past few days, weeks, months have been so packed with learning and growing that I'm not sure how to put it all into words. 

Things I've learned that warmed my heart:

No love is deeper than that of a mothers love

The power of Prayer is as powerful a force as any I have ever known

Member missionaries are truly angels among us, returning souls to their Father in Heaven

Sister E is the truest friend I have known thus far in life

Our Mission President knows and loves each of us, as if we were his own <----- He's a rock star!

The words from our Prophet hold all the answers we seek, we need only to listen and follow 

It easier to stand and defend while placing blame than it is to kneel and ask for forgiveness and guidance - never let your prayin' knees get lazy!

Things I've learned that hurt my soul:

Racism still exists - there are far more simple minds in the world than I thought prior to leaving the safety of my parents home...ignorance knows no color nor religion...truly a sad sight

Having a child does not make one a parent, just as going to church does not make one a Christian....seeing people for who they "are" is often a truth I wish I could unlearn <-----some see us as confession takers, that is a hard burden to bear

When we (missionaries) go out into the world (the field/our mission) many find themselves without the fellowship and much needed love and attention from family, friends, ward members....it can be a loneliness that some cannot withstand

Things I've learned about Sis Z:

I should work in Fashion!

When on lunch break from my fashion job, I should be a Stand-Up Comedian!

I have NO clue what I want to be when I grow up!

Serving a mission has NOT diminished my love of shopping - I miss it like a true addict! :(

Being able to quote a scripture to any question someone has about our Church or the Lord....is INVIGORATING!

I am NEVER going to be a size 4!

I question myself too much and need to learn to just shut it and follow the Lords plan...how vain of me to think I know my course better than my Savior

We have had three baptisms, cause well we are the rock stars of Bend, OR! :)

Members, brothers, sisters, friends, family...don't forget it is your task to find investigators for the missionaries to teach....someone told us recently I'm a great member missionary, I feed the missionaries every week and they love hanging out at my house....that's NOT being a member missionary, that's being a great friend! We SO love our super cool families that let us play at their homes and can never thank them enough for the love and support they give us...however, don't mistake that for doing what the prophets have asked you as member missionaries to do...ask a missionary if you are unsure what that is, we'll be happy to elaborate!! :)~

Mommy and Daddy the love you send Sis E and I is just....amazing and we are eternally grateful! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Mick your last letter made me laugh out loud, I miss your face! Cup your a too stinking funny, I can't believe how long your hair is and I LOVE the pictures! 

Kiss those babies and tell them to STOP growing! 

ALL MY LOVE!

XOXO

Sis Z

Anyone wanting to write Sis Z can write her at:

Sister Kiarra Zubicki 

1761 NE Witchita Way #2

Bend, OR 

97701

Bend & My Kids

Hello all in the land of the sun <---- Not at all jealous!!!! :)
 
Bend is AWESOME! As a missionary I'm sure you're like, well Duh you have to say that! You can't say, oh wow if this area melted into the surface of the earth, no one would miss it....and well, yeah I couldn't say that but, currently there is no need....Bend is truly amazing! It's cold and windy but really sunny, which keeps my inner temperature gauge constantly confused.

Being a missionary is hard, some days more than others....it is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I am tested to my limits daily, I have found I have new limits and they are tested and pushed and broken....sometimes I think, it's too much, physically - emotionally....I look inside myself and feel, I have nothing left to give. I have never been so exhausted, I have never been so torn, I have never been so unsure, I have never been so alone, I have never been so down....yet, I have never been so exhilarated, I have never been so complete, I have never been so confident, I have never been so needed, I have never been so happy....my mission may be bringing out my inner schizophrenia :)
It's hard to remember who I was before this journey began, I feel I've grown so much. I am often amazed at how in tune I am with the spirit...like wow really? This is me?! This experience is more than I can put into words, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to serve a mission. Lately I have been journaling....I write everything down! I decided to start out each of my journal entries with "Dear Kids"....it's so cool knowing that I'm writing to my children, it makes me re-think what I write..it makes me focus on the positive, it makes me see the power of the spirit. I LOVE IT!  So....sending journals as a gift is a great idea!

My favorite song right now is "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.

 

My words can't say more than the words of this song say....they lift my spirit.

 

Don't forget me...send lots of love, there can never be too much :)

 

Make sure my clothes and shoes and ALL my hand bags are being watched over carefully! I can't think about them or I start to have a panic attack! Mom, Seriously - ON GUARD!

 

I love you all, keep me in your prayers, you are Always in mine!

 

XOXO

 

Sis Z

 

 

Sis Z's new address is :

1761 N.E. Witchita Way #2

Bend, OR

97701

Bend!

 

Hello Everyone!
 

I'm currently serving in Bend, OR, in the Mountain View Ward. It is AMAZING here! I love it SO much! It snowed yesterday...I'm not exactly "use" to the cold I've just come to grips with it as a constant in my life right now :)
 

My new companion is Sis Eggleston, she is 19 from Lehi, UT and one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Yesterday during the snow, we were driving to church (That's right, still NO bike for this sister!!!) and we almost died! We slid across the road and it was seriously SCARY! Mom you know you taught me how to drive and based on that alone I'm positive it was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to keep us right side up and in one piece :)

 

I'm training again, Sis Eggleston is a greenie....I was still nervous but, I had prayed about my new companion prior to finding out who she was. In answer to my prayers, I knew that I would be training, I knew that she would be brand new, I knew that she would struggle and I knew that I would be able to help her through this time. The power of revelation is true and real and completely amazing! When President Samuelian introduced us, I wept...I knew who she was and that this was the Sister that was meant to be my companion. Knowing that we can receive revelation is powerful...I've always "known" it, heard it but....to have it, to feel it...to KNOW it as a real entity in my life....wow, that's a game changer!

 

I can't wait to hear ALL about the foster kids! Details mom! Don't forget to tell them how awesome I am because....seriously I'm the rock star of this family! :)

 

With moving and all the snow drama I don't have a "lesson" as much as a Sis Z message for my fellow Z's.

You are who you are, no less and no more...We are all children of our father in heaven...that is who we ARE! That is who you ARE! A child of our father in heaven...no less! And No More...because there is NO greater blessing. Each day that we wake we decide who we are and what we will be that day....who are you today? If the you in your reflection isn't who you thought you'd be, or who you want to be....then change you. Be who you want to be...don't settle....make different choices, go against the grain, be strong, stand up, fight for what you believe....you are who you are no less and no more - be your best you! Don't waste another moment planning or preparing to become....do it!

 

I love you ALL! Study the scriptures...the knowledge in them, is unending and I am constantly amazed at the answers they hold. Thanks for all the letters Granny you make me giggle! Mick seriously WRITE ME! Mommy & daddy I love you SO much! Kiss the babies for me and send lots of pictures!

XOXO

Sis Z

On the Move

This past week has been long and craZy! I found out Saturday that I was being transferred :( 
I left today, I am at the mission home right now, I have a temporary companion until Thursday when I will be getting a new companion and going to my new area in Bend, OR. I will miss Sis S and hope that she finds the wholeness and completeness that she seeks. 
My new companion will be a greenie....I'm SO excited to be training again! I look forward to getting to my new area and to have new experiences. I already miss Rockaway, leaving made my heart sad :(
Since we were both leaving we had to pack and clean and still "work" it was a mad dash to get it all ready by this morning! My bags weigh about 125 pounds each and barely close.....still, I had to leave some stuff behind. I was stressing over the change and the move, the packing...the leaving some of my "things" behind and my district leader was laughing at me and said "Big Z don't stress, work hard, don't be dumb and take the stupid fan!" HA!!! So, on that note....I forgot to pack the fan! Sorry daddy! Can you send me another one? :)


The past few weeks have taught me so much. I thought about what we talked about mom, in reference to the blog and my comment is this. I am here to spread the Lords word, I am here to serve my Lord in whatever manner he needs me to do so. I teach investigators, I pray with them, I pray for them. I tract and knock on doors, I talk with the active, the less active, those looking for purpose, those just looking for friends...I am a missionary doing missionary work. Those that let us into their homes, those that give my companions and I the chance to share the gospel with them are so dear to my heart....their desires, their conversion, the paths in which they take to either come unto the Lord or to decide this journey is not for them....that is their story and for them to tell. This blog is to document my journey...it's the only story I have the right to completely share. Maybe it's not the typical missionary blog...the "I'm teaching him and he's getting baptized" blog....I'm okay with that. I know from dads conversion that it's so personal, it's life changing and I'm sure the 4 people who read my blog, would have warm hearts to hear all the squishy details...they're just not my details to give. This blog is just me, Sis Z and all my adventures. I'll weave in some investigators and discussions here and there to keep those needing it holding on :)

My lesson this week; D&C 121 7-8

 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

In the quiet of your room, leave the day at your door and read these verses....the promise made inside those words relieves my soul...."shall be but a small moment"....it will pass, hold on, be strong, endure, our trials will pass..."God shall exalt thee on high..." all we must do is endure....I've turned to these words many times in the past and I'm sure I will in the future, when I find myself in a "never-ending" trial...I feel the strength in me rise we I read "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment." I can feel the power in those words, it's exhilarating!

I love you all & seriously mom the "Hot Box" was SO stinkin' cute! I laughed out loud when I opened it! 

** Sis Z said she was freezing and asked mom to mail her some "heat" so mom made a box and on the outside it said open in case of extreme cold and inside was filled with HOT things :)

Kiss my sisters, tell them I love them...send me lots of pictures!

Sis Z


**Anyone wishing to write to Sis Z please send them to the mission home until we get a new address:

Sister Kiarra Zubicki
700 Deborah Rd
Suite 260
Newburg, OR 97132