Love, gratitude and blessings

A NOTE FROM LEXI'S MOM:  Sister Lexi Hixson will be returning home from her mission on Saturday, November 8th at exactly 9:25 am...which is 205 hours and 45 minutes from this minute.  I may or may not be excited...you judge!  We can't wait to get our arms around her and hear her "Lexi giggle."  And to have her fill our home with her wonderful piano medleys once again.  Oh the questions we will ask about her experiences in Montana and Wyoming and about the very, VERY special people who will be part of her heart forever more.  Thank you for your love and support these 18 months.  Now on to Lexi's e-mail...


Once again, there is a lot to say, but I can't find the words! I will tell you about yesterday because it was a glorious day!

Yesterday, I was in ward council, and I just paused for a minute and looked at everyone in the room.  All these people who I love.  I thought of their families and how hard they are working to serve the Lord and take care of their families and teach them in the right way.  I just felt a great amount of love for them.  I also feel that every time we leave Bishop's office or home.  I just feel a huge amount of love and gratitude for him.  He is a righteous man with great love.

Then, we were sitting in Gospel Principles class.  Sister Johnson and I had made mention earlier how there are still so many people in the ward who we don't know! But, as we sat there in class, I looked at everyone in class and realized that we had been in every one of their homes! Two of them are people we were blessed to teach and see enter the waters of baptism, and one of them is on her way there! They have touched our lives, and we have touched theirs in some way.  I just felt so blessed.

After that, we went to Sacrament Meeting where we looked out at the Worland 1st ward, and my heart was just filled with joy.  I love these people.  I am so grateful to know them, to know their families, to be in their homes. 

The Lord has truly blessed me. 

I feel like Ammon in Alma 26.  Verses 7-8 reads:

"But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

"Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever."

I know that life is not perfect, but I also know that God showers blessings upon us every single day! I want to always remember to pause and realize the blessings of the moment.  Will you all do the same? I know that God will show you His hand as you choose to pause and look for it.

I love you all! <3

Love always,

Sister Hixson

 Brother Wright's baptism...(on left)

Happy Sister Missionaries

PRAYER

Hi!

It's been a different kind of week this week, but it was wonderful.  Brother Wright was baptized and confirmed! It was a beautiful service and very peaceful.  Sister Johnson and I are not together this week due to exchanges, but we are excited to be together again tomorrow! I love being with my companion! :) 

Yesterday was amazing, and I learned so much about prayer.  Elder Scott and Elder Bednar spoke to Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado through a broadcast! Here are some things I learned:

God answers prayers in three ways.  

1) He answers yes through feelings of peace, comfort, and assurance.  He blesses you with confidence in that decision.

2) The answer is no.  You feel a stupor of thought, an unsettling feeling.

3) You receive no answer.  You don't feel anything in particular.  This, Elder Scott explained, is when the Lord trusts you enough to make your own decision.  He said we should express thanks to Heavenly Father when this happens because He trusts you! He is letting you grow.  If we go along then, and start to make the wrong choice, He will warn us, and vice versa.  

Elder Scott explained that God will give us bits of inspiration little by little.  Sometimes that means He will let us struggle, think, and thus grow.

He also shared that God will rarely answer our prayers while we are on our knees.  He expects us to study the scriptures, to search for ourselves, and to act.

I have learned so much from this talk.  I know that God knows us and loves us each.  I know that He wants us to be happy, He really does.  That is sometimes why we have to struggle.  I just know that God has a plan for each one of us.  I testify that God's work is hastening.  The gospel is a gospel of hope.  The true church is on the earth today.  

I love you all! Thank you always for your prayers, letters, and examples.  I am blessed because of you!

Sincerely, 

Sister Hixson

IT'S FALL!

THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!

Hello!

This week was filled with a lot!! A lot of wonderful things!

We travelled to Billings and Helena, where I got to see Sister Frost!! Yay! Then, I got to see Sister Smith too and Sister Spencer, who are now companions! Wonderful reunions with some people who have changed my life for the better.  

Well, well, I don't know what to report today.  I am alive! I am happy! I am a missionary! And I love it! Seriously, I love being a missionary.  And I know that I will be a missionary for the rest of my life.  

This week I had one of those "This is the best thing ever!" experiences. We were at church, and one of the people we are teaching who is getting baptized this Thursday wasn't there! After the second hour, we said, "I'm worried about him!" because he always keeps his commitments! Then, we turn and look down the hallway, and he was sitting in a chair reading his scriptures, wearing his white shirt and tie! We ran...walked swiftly...to see him, and he was so tired and hadn't even slept the night before, but he came to church! He even bore his testimony during second hour and he has really come to know that the church is true.  It is so cool to see him change, and he really has done it through his own studies and prayers.  He has asked us questions before about basic doctrines of the gospel, and we would invite him to pray and read.  He would, and the next day, he would explain that he received his answer! It's wonderful.  Then, along with this, we arrived in Sacrament meeting to see four other people we are teaching arrive too!  I know how important it is to attend church.  The Spirit there teaches us and answers our questions.  Because we choose to keep that commandment, the Holy Ghost can instruct us more fully, and we can help others too!

Life is good.  I read this quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell today:

"Being blessed with hope, let us, as disciples, reach out to all who, for whatever reason, have 'moved away from the hope of the gospel.' Let us reach to lift hands which hang hopelessly down."

Preach My Gospel, 117.

We have hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We can help each other have hope too.  

This week was joyful.  As we rode the transfer van from Helena to Billings, we sang hymns and pondered on what we had learned in our meetings.  It is incredible to be surrounded by such wonderful people.  They have helped me to have hope and greater faith in Christ and in myself. 

"Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy."

2 Nephi 2:25 

I am grateful for you all! 

Thank you for your love, examples, and prayers!

Love always and forever,

Sister Hixson

Hello all!

This weekend was amazing with General Conference! We got to hear from the Prophet! I was overjoyed! 

A few things were impressed upon me while I watched it.  I realized the importance of coming to know truth for ourselves.  I also recognized the importance of sustaining the Prophet.  And last of all, I gained a greater desire to study more about the Prophet Joseph Smith and to strengthen my testimony of him and the Restoration of the gospel.  General Conference is an amazing experience.  I feel so blessed to have a Prophet on the earth today who loves us.  He truly is a Prophet of God.  

As Sister Johnson and I drove to the church for General Conference, we talked about how much of the world has no idea that right now the Prophet will be speaking! But then we talked about how much more of the world knows about it now because of missionary work!  Because of the efforts of full-time and member missionaries, the world knows! It's so cool to think that the Lord uses us to bring truth to the world.  Of course, we cannot do it without Him.

I know that the Lord watches over His children- all of us! He knows and loves me and you. As I watched General Conference I was reminded of the importance of prayer- something so simple, yet central for our return to live with Him again.  We have the opportunity to talk with Him anytime, anywhere.  A portion of Elder Scott's talk really stood out to me when he said to talk to Heavenly Father about EVERYTHING. He promised peace.  We all need greater peace in this life, and God is here to help us receive it.  I am striving to speak more openly to my Heavenly Father- to really pour out my soul to Him.  He is the one who can help me and bring me peace.

The gospel is true.  I loved Elder Christoffersen's talk about truth.  "Truth is truth is truth," is what I wrote in my notes.  There is absolute truth, and we can all find it.  I love this gospel and the opportunity to be edified yesterday by the Prophet and other leaders of the church.  If you didn't get the chance to listen or watch it, go to LDS.org and watch it! You will be strengthened! :)

I love you all so much! Thank you for your influence on my life.  I owe so much to all of you.  Thank you for your prayers and love.  

Ether 12:6

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

May we fight the good fight and be filled with love.

Love always,

Sister Hixson

(from September 29th) DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS BEFORE YOU DOUBT YOUR FAITH

Greetings!

Guess what? This week was another WONDERFUL week! Definitely a week worth remembering!....which is why I write everything down, so that I can remember it! Haha, well I sure try, but I am definitely still working on that! 

This week was just really great.  We worked hard and had some wonderful lessons.  Two of the people we are working with are doing really well.  It's cool to see them work through doubts by praying and reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church! 

Yesterday we had the most beautiful Primary program! There were so many kids, and they were hilarious, and their testimonies very powerful.  I love seeing the children share their simple testimonies because they are SO simple, yet so powerful.  It reminds me to be more simple in my teaching and my testimony and in the way I live my life.

Yesterday, the quote, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." was playing in my mind.  There are times when we doubt ourselves or God, but President Uchtdorf reminds us to doubt our doubts before we attempt to doubt our faith.  

In our mission, we focus so much on FAITH.  It all comes down to faith.  I have realized that Faith is much more than just the first principle of the gospel.  It is power! I know that as I have faith and as I strive daily to increase my faith, that I can do more and more for the Lord.  I love Moroni 10:23-

"And Christ truly said unto our fathers, if ye have faith, you can do all things which are expedient unto me."  We can keep the commandments, we can have faith, we can accomplish what the Lord wants us to in this life, we can bring others unto Christ, through faith.

I love you all so much! Keep the faith every day! I know the church is true.  I really do.  I know the Lord loves each of us.  

Love always,

Sister Hixson :)

FROM SEPTEMBER 29

Go to Meetthemormons.com and Request the movie in your area! Tell all your friends! We got to watch it this week, and it is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!  You definitely want it to play in your area because it is an amazing tool to help the world understand a little more of who we are.  It was so inspiring :)

Hello!

Well, this week was another wonderful week! :)

Sister Johnson and I continue to LOVE Worland.  The ward is wonderful, and the people we are teaching are really amazing.  I am actually learning a lot from them.  One of them says, "Patience.  Only in the time of the Lord."  almost every time we see him. He is wise. He is beginning to change as he applies the things we share with him.  He is still struggling with some things that we share with him, but the best thing is that he is willing to listen and experiment upon the word!

One of the other ladies we are teaching has such a strong spirit.  She told us yesterday of her faith and how it has grown.  She shared with someone at church how much her life has changed since she began this journey, and she can't wait to be baptized! We are so excited for her.  

The more I serve, the greater love I feel for everyone.  It is amazing! Moroni 7:45 is one of my favorite scriptures, and I studied it this morning.  I love studying charity.  I know that Christ is charity.  He is the One to follow.

Sister Johnson and I were able to watch the talk by Elder Bednar, "Sweeping the Earth as With a Flood!" Amazing! We are sharing the gospel more online now! I have a missionary Facebook, and while I can't be friends with anyone not in my area, anyone can follow me! My name is "Sister-Alexis Hixson." :) On Tuesday, Sister Johnson and I and many members in our ward are sharing our testimonies on Facebook with the hashtag: #testimonytuesday.  Anyone can do it! You don't have to be a member of the church! You simply share your faith with that hashtag! Will you all do that? I know that, just like Elder Bednar said, technology and inventions of our day are here to help us bring others closer to Jesus Christ. It will happen as we use them in that way! 

I love you all! Thank you for your emails and letters.  They make me so happy! :)

Love always,

Sister Hixson :)

 Lex was cold and the only thing she could find to keep her warm was this towel!

And the one below?  This is what you do when it snows and it's still officially summer...you roast marshmallows.  I couldn't help but notice the cute set-up on the bed!

This is from last week...September 15th. 

Hi Everyone...

I know that God answers prayers.  He loves us, so He wants to bless us.  He listens to our prayers.  He truly is our Father in Heaven.  It has blessed my life so much to know this.  I have come to recognize more of who I am as a daughter of God.  I hope to always remember His love for me.  Sometimes it is hard to ask, and sometimes I don't know what to ask in my prayers, but I do my best, and He hears that. I'm just so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father!

I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and thoughtfulness :) 

Love always,

Sister Hixson  

 Lexi at the temple with her companion, Sister Johnson.

1. Celebrating her birthday on September 7th!

Hello!!

Another week has flown by, and I can't believe it's September 8th! January just happened.

The Lord's work is moving forth here in Worland! I have met the most amazing people, and I love it.  Sister Johnson and I keep working really hard, even through unexpected things that come up throughout the week or days, and our prayers have become more filled with faith as we have to rely on the Lord to help us. Sister Johnson is hilarious and so obedient and loving.  We are both weird, so we get along really well :)

This week, we went to the temple, and it was amazing! I learned so much, and was just so happy.  The temple is a place like no other.  I noticed this time how much the cares of the world really do dissolve when we are in the temple.  I felt so much peace.  I know that the temple really is the house of the Lord.

This week I also recognized the importance and power of prayer.  As we have prayed for specific people and specific things, our prayers have been answered.  It has been such a blessing. I am so grateful to be able to pray to Heavenly Father every day, and that He answers my prayers.  

Moroni 10:23 is a verse I read before my mission, and I have loved it ever since:

"And Christ truly said unto our fathers: if ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me."

I know this is true! I know that as we have faith, we can do whatever the Lord needs and wants us to, which is always the best thing that could happen! 

I love you all!

Oh, and to comment on the subject line....birds like me because, almost daily, a bird flies into the windows as I study.  I don't think that's normal, but it is in my life.  It's sad because I love birds! Oh well. I love temples too :)

Love you always,

Sister Hixson

LIFE IS WONDERFUL

This week has been INCREDIBLE.  I have learned so much and seen the power of the Lord in my life.  We had Mission Leadership Council this week, and it was a very powerful experience to be surrounded by so many faithful and strong missionaries.  It was two days long this time, and we were counseled on how to be greater missionaries and how to better help the missionaries in our zone. I felt the power of missionaries. Sometimes when you are a missionary, you don't recognize it, but this week, I did! It was inspiring and uplifting.  I was just so grateful to be part of this mission, and I feel so grateful to be a full-time missionary.  

As we came back from Billings, Sister Johnson and I got to work.  We worked really hard this week, and the Lord provided us with several lessons, people to talk with, safety, and answers to prayers.  We ended up going unexpectedly to Riverton for some sisters there.  We felt prompted to see them and be with them for a couple days.  It ended up being a very spiritually strengthening experience for me as we trusted in the Lord and I felt the Lord's gratitude and confirmation of what we were doing.  

We didn't know how long we would be in Riverton, but we expected to be there possibly until today.  When we got there, however, we felt like it would be better if we left Saturday night.  The Sisters had two baptisms, one at two and one at four.  In between them, we got a call from some members, the Coopers, asking if we could see a lady there.  We stopped by her work and were able to have a wonderful lesson with her that lifted her and our spirits and made us so happy.  Then, the Coopers said that they would come check our car while we were at the second baptism (they are the vehicle coordinators:).  During the baptism, they came inside and told us that one of our tires was super low, and we couldn't make it back to Worland without filling it.  They took us to get it filled and we headed back to Worland! It was such a tender mercy for them to check our car! We were so grateful! 

There are times when you just feel God's love very strong, and this week was one of those weeks. I am so grateful for the Lord's love and kindness toward me, and it makes me want to be better.  

Sister Johnson and I have had a wonderful time this week.  We laughed a lot.  Sister Johnson is hilarious and an amazing missionary.  We LOVE Worland.  Anytime we leave, we just want to go back! 

I read a scripture before my mission that I have always remembered:

"And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith, ye can do all things which are expedient unto me." Moroni 10:23

I know now that as I exercise faith, the Lord cannot forsake me.  I used to be afraid of my trials, but I don't feel afraid anymore of the trials I will have.  I know that the Lord will help me through them as I remain faithful.

Love you so much! Thank you for your letters!

Love you!

Sister Hixson

Lexi and her new companion, Sister Johnson.

Well, hello all!

Alexis Hixson	Aug 25 (1 day ago)
to Brad, me, Starlee, Brooke, Brady, Chase, Paige

This week has been fantastic! 

There isn't a whole ton to say except that I have just had a wonderful week! Transfers happened, and Sister Johnson and I are loving being companions, serving in Worland, and loving and serving the people here! Sister Johnson is one of the happiest and most loving people I know.  I have already learned so much from her :) I feel like we live in a fairy tale right now.  We live on a little farm with a huge garden and beautiful fields outside our window. We are so blessed!

A scripture that has meant a lot to me this week is Ether 12:4

"Wherefore whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Hope and Faith are anchors in our lives.  They will keep us on the right course.  When things get rocky and it's difficult to hold on, we can have hope in a better world, in better circumstances.  And it's all possible because of Christ.  I am so grateful for Jesus Christ- that He is real and that He helps us.  

I know that He has helped me every step of my mission and my life! In the hard times, we can remember that things will get better.  They will, as we do our best.  The Lord will not forsake us.  

Thank you for all your support and love.  It means so much to me.

Keep the faith! Have a wonderful week! :)

Love always,

Sister Hixson  

I wrote up a email, but then I think it got deleted, so here I am again! This week was seriously awesome.  I think I say that every week.  It was so good though.  I learned a lot and am so happy.  

We just found out Sister Smith is being transferred to Billings! I'm sad to see her go, but she felt like she was leaving weeks ago, so we weren't surprised. She has been here for about ten months, and the Lord wants her in Billings now! Good thing is I will see her in a few weeks at some meetings in Billings! Yay! I have learned so much from Sister Smith.  I definitely know that we are given certain people in our lives at certain times not by coincidence.  I will miss her.

My new companion will be Sister Johnson! I was in the MTC with Sister Johnson, and I love her!!! Worland is going to love her, and I am so excited to serve with her.  

This week, I have been pondering a lot about the important things in life.  It's easy to get caught up in the "to do's," especially when there are so many.  I've been thinking about how people are the most important things in this life.  President Monson is an amazing example to me of someone who focuses on the people more than the task.  He has SO may tasks, I am sure, yet he chooses to love people.  How he finds the time for everything, I don't know, except that, because he lives the gospel, the Lord makes it happen.  

I have had lots of joy this week.  We got to spend some time yesterday with the Sisters in Ten Sleep, and we have run into many people today at the grocery store and throughout town that we have been able to say hi to and Sister Smith could say goodbye to.  I'm grateful for the relationships we can have in this life and for the people God places in our paths.  

I know the church is true.  I know the Book of Mormon is a true book from God.  

I was in reading in Enos today, and I loved verse 9: "Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words (that he was forgiven because of his faith) I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them."  

I love that after Enos felt the power of the Atonement in His life, He immediately wanted to share it with others.  As we experience the gospel change our lives, we want others to experience it too.  I believe that.  I know that as we come closer to the Lord, our desires to bring others closer to the Lord will increase. I recently realized that my prayers were really focused on myself.  I decided to change that, and as I have began more to pray for others, I have felt so much happier and at peace.  I still can pray for myself and those things I really need, but I feel more grateful and more loving for those around me, and I know they are being blessed through my prayers. I love this gospel, and that we are always learning!

Sending love from Worland!

Love always,

Sister Hixson

LOVE

Hello everyone!

It's been another great week! I have been reminded about the importance of love this week. Yesterday morning we had Elder Carden of the Seventy speak to some of the missionaries in Lovell, Wyoming.  President and Sister Mecham were there and bore their testimonies at the meeting, and Sister Mecham just said how she hopes we feel loved.  I truly felt her love, and I realized the importance of feeling loved. We all need to know we are loved.  One scripture that I read a couple months back is Alma 13:28- 

"But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering."

As I have been serving my mission, and in the past few weeks, I have felt my love increase for the people here.  They are wonderful.  They speak their minds, love their families, and are funny.  They all have different stories, backgrounds, and personalities.  They all have come from different places in life, and I am grateful that I am able to be a part of theirs.  

I know that God loves all His children.  I know that He loves us even as we are so imperfect, but we are trying.  He loves us, and that's why He wants us to pray to Him.  That's why He sent us to earth- to grow and to learn and to one day be able to experience the blessings He enjoys.  I love Him and my Savior and this gospel.  

I love you all too!! Thank you for being a part of my life :) 

Love always,

Sister Hixson

TENDER WEIRDNESSES

Hello!

Last night in a lesson we were talking about the tender mercies of the Lord, the little things he does for us.  Well, the girl we were teaching doesn't like the phrase, tender mercies, so she changed it to tender weirdnesses. Haha. I love it. It's kind of catchy, so today I'm going to share with you the tender weirdnesses of life as of late.

(note from Jeanette:  I like tender mercies MUCH better, myself.  Nothing that the Lord does is "weird."  Merciful describes Him much better.  But oh well; this is Lexi's story.  Ya gotta love it.)  

This week was FILLED with tender weirdnesses.  We had a couple exchanges, so Sister Smith was in Riverton and Worland 2nd ward, and I was here in Worland with a couple new sisters.  It was fun to be with them! Tender weirdness #1- Sister Bain was with me, and she knows how to fix bikes! Good thing because I'd never seen a bike tube before, haha, but now I know how to patch one up! Tender weirdness #2- in 105 degree heat, someone let us in and we were able to talk with her for a while! Tender weirdness #3- our investigator who was missing all day the day of his baptism, showed up! Tender weirdness #4- President Mecham was doing interviews this week, so I got to talk with him for a while, and that is always great! Tender weirdness #5- I read a talk yesterday that helped answer some of my prayers recently :)

That's not all, but that is a few.  I am grateful for the tender weirdnesses of the Lord.  Nothing is coincidence, and the Lord is always looking out for us.  Sometimes, it might not seem so, but I know it's true.   Nephi says, "...the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Nephi 1:20)

I love this gospel! I know it's true.  I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us! I'm trying to recognize his love and blessings more in my life.  He is merciful, and I am grateful for all He does for me.

Love you all! Have an awesome week!

Love always,

Sister Hixson<3

 Craaaaaazzzzyyyyyyyyy!  

 Lex "before her haircut."  What?  And she didn't send pics of the haircut?  Maybe next week...I hope.  

Apparently this is a "beautiful sunset" that didn't show up on camera very well.

So we'll look at beautiful Lexi instead!

 Taken on May 1, 2013...first day in the MTC

Taken on July 16, 2014 at a Mission Leader Council in Billings.

Still "Sisters in the Lord"...(Lexi's words)

Look at how Lexi is standing.  She must be from Utah!