Week of September 26th

Hi my heart is full. This week was so good. Basically it was super
stressful and nothing went as we planned or hoped. Which is swell, and
teaches us tons. BUT OH MY GOODNESS WAS IT A GREAT WEEK.
So yah Heavenly Father blessed us with our sweet navy investigator
Jacob who is on date for baptism in 2 weeks. He loves church and the
Book of Mormon so much.
We asked like on Tuesday what he thinks about it and if he'd prayed to
know if it was true. So the night before he prayed and asked, and then
the next morning he went to close it and put it away and he said his
heart just started racing and he just felt warm and really good and
knew that was his answer. HOW NEAT. The Spirit was so strong when he
was sharing his experience and yeah I'm the happiest person alive.
He also said that he just loves reading the Book of Mormon because it
seems "easier" to read and makes so much sense, and I'm like yah same.
I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON.
He's so sweet because in his prayers( which he's gotten so good at
btw) he says "thank you for leading me to your true church and bless
the sisters please and thank you" k he's our BFF. And he's totally so
willing to stop drinking green tea every morning because he loves God
and just knows it's true, so cool. Like Jacob has strengthened my
testimony so much. And the fact that Sister Heaton and I have been
pulling out hair out all week doesn't even matter. Because bringing
souls to Christ brings literal joy. JOY.
And I'm so grateful to be apart of Jacob's journey of knowing the
greatest thing this life could ever bring us, eternal happiness.
Our members were also great this week as always. They're so so willing
to come out with us to appointments and it helps a ton.
Some other highlight from the week..
My mom sent me a surprise package with yummy food in it( thanks ma)
but long story short it was out in the wrong mail box and it was a big
ordeal/ lots of trips to the post office and we finally got it figured
out but got to the post office 5 mins after it closed.. I seriously
wanted to cry haha but this sweet guy named Greg went into the back
and reopened everything just so I could get it. We thanked him a
million times because anything from home is just so dear to us little
missionaries and I totally would've been so sad the rest of the day.
We love Greg.
Also we were in a lesson with this less active kid and across the
street in the neighbors house I could see a football game was on and I
was in the middle of testifying and I said " Is that the Rams? Who are
they playing?" We started laughing and thought it was ridiculous that
I got distracted by a football game in somebody else's house. My comp
thinks I'm great haha
Hope y'all have a great week and just keep loving God. Oh yeah general
conference is this weekend and I'm soooo excited :) hope y'all get a
chance to listen to our prophet and tell me your favorite thing you
learn this weekend LOVE YA

K. Where even am I. This huge spider..

Week of September 19th

We had such a good week, oh my goodness is faith real. 

Sister Heaton and I worked lots this week. We decided we are done with trial weeks(that works right? ha) but we've just been HOPING for the best and relying on FAITH. Which like I said is totally real.

AND when things wouldn't go how we thought or expected we relied on the Lord to see what He had planned. And we worked and wouldn't leave the area until we found out, and He blessed us so much to be where we needed to be. We also had the most golden investigator FIND US. We got a media referral for Jacob who just happened to be on mormon.org requesting missionaries to teach him. He scheduled time the next day in his busy Navy study day to see us and then also came to church. He grew up catholic and has never said his own prayer until he met us, and it was so neat and just reminded me a lot of my conversion. And now I just really feel such a strong desire to find those prepared to accept the gospel of Christ in their lives. Because the truth will always be that everyone needs the Gospel, but the Lord simply just needs us to find those who will receive Him. The Lord will continue to prepare others. 

  Our prospective elders are progressing as well, and we had some come to church, so we were super busy yesterday to say the least. I just love knowing that we are helping them to gain and strengthen their testimonies so they can faithfully live the gospel and be sealed to their families. How neat.

  I've just learned a lot about perspective and how much of faith requires hope and "fighting for a good cause". We can see this example in Alma how the Nephites are fighting for a righteous cause and relying on the Lord, and they are protected and blessed. It just requires faith. And I'm so thankful to learn these truths from the scriptures and to be able to apply them, and now to help Jacob be strengthened by and come to love the Book of Mormon just as much as I do. 

  Oh yeah and super cute story.. in our lesson that we were teaching Jacob how to pray, Micheal said that we are just talking with our Father in Heaven. And said "and I know that when ever Sister Buckey talks about her dad you can tell he is just her best friend" and just how much I love my dad and how that is how we should feel about Heavenly Father. And it was just so dear to me because my dad is the very reason I have come to comprehend the love my Father in Heaven has for me. My heart was all swollen, and it was the sweetest ever. I LOVE YOU PA

   And on Monday we got to have a cute little ballon releasing at FHE, since Roberta was like in charge of it and it was neat. 

  I just love my life, and am super grateful for everything. Especially my Savior. And I don't just say that because I'm a missionary, I absolutely mean it with everything in me. He is so real and just wants to help us, and oh my goodness is it just the best thing ever when we let Him. 

  XO SISTER BUCKEY

Week of September 12th

I've learned that the scriptures in 2 Ne 2:22-25 about how we have an
opposition in all things, but yet it helps us to know joy is so true.
I love the scriptures.
There is just so much good in this life, and going through hardships
and trials and pain helps us to having a greater understanding and
appreciation for joy and our blessings.
I'm so thankful for trials and these moments that Heavenly Father
helps us to grow. He's so good to us. Even when it hurts. AND I just
thought you guys should know that there is good and hope in all
things.
This week was pretty weird. Lots of trials. The funeral was hard. And
I'm totally missing y'all. And football.
BUT IT WAS STILL SO GOOD, LIKE ALWAYS.
A) because of Jesus Christ.
But b) because we just need to count our blessings.
SO on Monday we had a cute little cook out with our branch for Labor
Day and I just love a good hamburger. And our branch. And cookies.
Holy cow you guys I've never had more cookies in my life.
Tuesday we got to sing for our old folks and this sweet lady told us"
you just keep coming back now okay? When we have bad days you just
always seem to lift us up from where we are. We love y'all, so you
just keep coming back"
We then got lost trying to find this little home that didn't exist but
didn't even freak out because we got to ask some nice kids about
directions and talk about the gospel.
Wednesday one of our sweet navy kids made us cookies. It's super funny
though because he got off work at like 9 am and then made them right
when he got home so they'd come out when we got there for our appt.
yeah they have crazy schedules and it was so sweet that he did that
for us.
Thursday we went and did service all day at a food bank and it really
made me appreciate all I have. Service somehow always grows your heart
and just heals your soul, no wonder Jesus Christ is so great. And ps I
wore my bronco Super Bowl shirt and when we got lunch this guy had a
panthers shirt on and made a comment on how they were like going to
win or something ( he worded it way not nice lol) oh and I also was so
confused because I didn't even know about the game, but then got texts
later that night informing me that we won so that was neat :)
Friday was the funeral, which was super beautiful. It's so sweet how
so much sorrow can bring us joy. Like hearing the sweet stories of
Roberta's family and friends made me so happy. And how neat they'll
see her again. I just love the gospel and gods perfect plan for us.
Also my sweet comp got to play the violin for a musical number and I
know Roberta just adored it.
Saturday we had an open house at the church. (Which had a cookie bar,
I only tried like 5) and then we later made cookies with our little
investigator. That was fun and we talked about the Book of Mormon. I
love teaching YSA because they're our friends and we can just be so
real with them. But yeah THEN on Sunday we had cookies at church.
You guys I've eaten so many cookies. I don't even know why this
happened to me haha
So yes those are all of the things I'm thankful for and some :)
I'm eternally grateful for the scriptures, and my Father in Heaven and
Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Im absolutely grateful for His church
which I know has been restored and I'm grateful I don't have to live
with out. ( ps none of us do)
1 Nephi 11:17
"And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children;
nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."
xo Sister Buckey


Here's some windy pics from the beach, it's great

Week of September 5th

I'll be staying here in lovely Charleston for another 6 weeks, what a
lucky duck :)
We have several people we are working with so I'm excited to continue
to see them progress, hopefully :)
I love to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are a lot of things in this life that I do not understand or may
not be able to comprehend, but I love the things that I do know.
Especially the plan of salvation.
We unfortunately had one of our sweet branch members pass away in a
car accident on Friday because of the storm. It was really sad and
still doesn't feel real. But literally only the knowledge of Gods plan
for us can give us peace. We had a neat opportunity to teach it (last
minute) to our branch for a little combined hour the last part of
church on Sunday, because of the loss. I'm so thankful the Lord has
called me to serve him in this capacity, to help others. That's all I
want to do is help people.
The beach was super pretty and fun last week, I'll send pics later
because we are currently emailing at Mickey D's since everything else
is closed for Labor Day.. But I'll be sending pics soon :)
Oh yeah and we got to teach this really sweet girl in one of our
members homes who literally lives right off of King St. We then walked
like 6 blocks to go and get some really bomb ice cream. Teaching
people and ice cream is mostly what we do.
Love y'all
xo Sister Buckey

Here's just about the happiest picture of my life and I just had to share
my qt pie nieces

Week of August 29th

How has it been another week? Weird
Still love it here with my whole heart
I love singing to old people
We were walking down the street and these kids were playing football
so I asked if I could play catch with them and then we taught them the
gospel. Yeah loving football comes in handy.
So basically nothing's changed haha
Um Monday we got to go to a river dogs game and you could bring your
dog so our member Micheal brought his puppy Alice SO CUTE

Week of August 22nd

Sister Heaton and I aren't sure what we did to deserve serving in the
best place in the world. Charleston YSA will forever have my heart,
and that keeps getting proven more and more each day. It's been pretty
toasty, but we are almost through August. We have 10 appts cancel on
us this week, but we found 4 new investigators. This week has totally
taught me to see the good in everything. Because things and life kinda
happen regardless, it's really us who makes the difference. We can
choose to be happy and see the good. So yah :)
Highlights.. DEFINITELY DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON
don't worry I'll send lots of pics
Um we went to market street, saw the bay, had some gelato and yeah
it's just a super cute little city. We also got dinner and this cute
place called Paige's Okra Diner. I got chicken and waffles. And we
were with great friends. Tell me that's not heaven.
Then yesterday we were in charge of our little fireside, and we opened
it up with the super awkward missionary fears skit.. It was pretty
hilarious and our members loved it, we were all laughing so hard. But
yeah we just had a powwow about overcoming our fears with faith. And
then we had lots of super cute ocean themed snacks. I LOVE MY BRANCH
SO MUCH
I wish I could just tell you my whole life.
Like this kid named Yocum ( last name, he's a navy kid) was baptized
exactly a year ago today, and him and Micheal are driving 2 hrs just
to go sit on the temple grounds and read scriptures( since it's closed
on Mondays) is that not the sweetest thing you've ever heard?
Wow I love these people, a whole lot
I never thought this would be my life, and I love that we wake up each
day and kind of have no idea what to expect, the journey that comes
from enduring is pretty neat, and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ
which makes my life so much sweeter.
LOVE YOU XO SISTER BUCKEY

Gelato

Week of August 15th

Charleston always treats us so well :) this week was crazy good.
Like I wish y'all could just be here with me, and it's probably a good
thing I have limited email time or I'm sure y'all would get an ear
full of all my super awesome stories.. Ha
     For starters.. We went to the old folks home last week but
couldn't sing because they were evacuated for bed bugs..so the folks
we're pretty peeved. But not Shirley. She's this sweet old lady that
always gives us hugs.. But I got an extra one this week because she
forgot she already hugged me lol but she grabbed my face and said, "I
didn't see your sweet face last week and I missed you" yah day made
right
      Then cutie pie Sister Heaton hit her 9 month mark on Thursday,
which ended up being the best day ever. We went and helped this girl
move in Mt Pleasant for a good chunk of the day, idk service and sweat
just makes you feel good. And then Micheal took us to get froyo.. We
are basically spoiled rotten
      Then on Saturday we had a lesson and chipotle with 3 of our Navy
kids who were baptized all within this past year. I just really love
being with people who love the gospel, and to see how much it blesses
their lives. It helps me so much. Like I just really love the gospel
of Jesus Christ. And that His atonement is real for us too. I'm
grateful the Lord shows us our weaknesses and helps us overcome them.
And then when we mess up and fall short, He is still right there to
help us. What a beautiful message we have to share. And I'm grateful
for all the people the Lord has placed in my path to never let me
forget this truth. It's just the simple things ya know.
We were able to teach these little kids (just a little about Jesus
Christ and then we gave them to the family Ward elders) but it was so
neat and they reminded me so much of my sweet Kaniyah. It's was pretty
funny though because we randomly knocked on this door and this guy
answered and said he wasn't interested in our message, but then little
Joshua (he's 11) throws his blanket off of him and says "actually I
would very much like to listen" so his uncle told him he could go
outside with us, so josh said " okay well wear are my shoes" and then
went looking for them for a good while, just to step out on the porch
with us. It was pretty hot so his uncle brought us water.. And it was
so cool to just talk about Jesus Christ and his love for us. We told
him that the Book of Mormon is a record of the people in the ancient
America and he said "well that just really important to know". You're
telling me lol
     But yeah then he asked if he could grab his little sister so we
could tell her, and I have never seen a happier little face than when
I told her that God loved her and her family and that they could live
together forever. It was like her soul had been waiting her whole life
to hear that, and I can promise you she that has. And that there are
so many people who still are. It took 18 years for God's precious
message of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel to reach me, and it's
like the most important thing that's happened to me. Because it is our
purpose in this life, our time to prepare to meet God. And it only
make sense that he's restored his church to help us do just that.
    So yeah I love being a missionary. South Carolina and God are just
so good to me.


Oh yeah here's some pics from the last few weeks