August 10, 2015 -My Last Mission Letter Written....

The Hardest Thing I'll Ever Have To Do....

Wow....

I cannot tell you the way that I feel right now... but I can tell you that something inside of me hurts... that I couldn't be happier... and the gratitude I have for these 18 months is nearly overwhelming!!! There are just no words!! There is nothing I can say or do to describe how this time in Indiana has been for me!! I have truly LOVED every second!! I have LOVED the hard times, I have LOVED the hilarious and the fun times!! I have LOVED the spiritual and sacred memories and I will cherish them forever!! Finishing my mission with the Indiana temple open house as been nothing short of a dream come true! There have been 90,190 people who have come through the temple on the tour and got to feel of the spirit that is in the House of the Lord! Being able to be a part of this has been more than I could dream of!! I have seen and had more spiritual experiences in these 4 weeks then I could have even imagined!!  The temple is a sacred place! 

Some of the Indiana Temple Missionaries!!

I want to tell you all how much I love you! I grateful I am for your support and the love that you ALWAYS give me!! I am so blessed by each and every single person I have in my life!! I love the gospel and I love people! That is why the mission has been the best thing in the entire world!!! But what gives me "hope" and a greater sense of faith..is that those two things do not stop when I walk off that plane..I still will be with people...the ones I love very much...and I will always be a disciple of Jesus Christ!! So, though there is a transition period... I am excited to keep serving, to keep loving, to keep bearing my testimony all the time, and to continue to progress every day!! Indiana is not the end. I have loved Indiana more then words can describe and leaving is the hardest thing I have ever done!! But, the bond I have for these people and love that I have will NEVER go away!!

It's now time to be grateful...because anything else just won't do!! I am grateful for my testimony. I am grateful for the people I have been able to teach. I am grateful for Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love Him! I love my Heavenly Father. I know the priesthood power is on the earth. I am grateful I have been blessed by it soooo much!! I am grateful for a prophet who receives revelation ...even so wonderful as to let me serve a mission at age 19. I am grateful for life itself!!

I have a testimony of this gospel. It changes people...which fulfills the whole purpose of this life...to change for the better....to become more like our Heavenly Father! The gospel is the way to access that change!! The Book of Mormon helps us know how to access the Atonement. It has changed my life forever and I love that Book!! 

I love you all. I will be a mess when I get off that plane..haha - but I am so excited to give you all a big OLD HUG! How blessed I am to have a family like you! I love you all and will see you soon! 

God be with you till we meet again! 

Love, 

Sister Clegg 

Alma 27:16-19


A few pictures sent to me (Mom) this week from people in her mission!  Mikesell has shed a few tears I can see it in her eyes...."goodbyes" hurt!

Baptized Tim and Elaine Dillenger - a very dear family from her mission!!

Sister Clegg and Tim Fishbein - Stake Mission Leader 

August 3, 2015

Herrrow!!! 

What another great week... The Indiana temple open house this week was amazing and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be there everyday!! There was about 8000 people who came through the temple on Saturday alone!! The temple reception tent is so fun because you just answer and answer questions non-stop. You forget to eat and everything because you are just answering questions!! It is just so fun to teach and testify ALL the time. I absolutely love it!!!

Funny experience- so Sister Peel and I realized after working at the temple reception tent one day that we had not eaten at all!! After we could take finally take a second to breath, we realized we were starving!  So we went over across the street and got something to eat. As we were sitting there, this lady came up..sat right next to us and told us she was from "the tent"! (the protesters tent...they have been there the whole time.) Then she proceeded to go on and on and just talking us like crazy. I just sat there and listened to her and when she was all done.... I told her how much God loved her and then we left.... but, boy oh boy!  She was a fiery one! haha!  I am so grateful for the gospel!!

I had my departing interview with President Cleveland this week...it was so good!! Words can't really describe how much I love that man. At the end of my interview, he gave me a big hug and kissed me on the forehead. He is so sweet and I am truly thankful for him and the influence he has been in my life. 

Well, this is all so strange...I can't believe my days are numbered as a missionary. I want to tell you how much I love you all. I am thankful for your support and love. I promise I will work hard this week and finish strong! I promise I will be happy where ever I am. The words "bittersweet" don't really describe what I am feeling but, I will choose to be grateful!!  I love you all and hope you have a great week. I know this will be the best week of my mission!! :)

I LOVE YOU ALL! 

Love,

Sister Clegg

Breakfast with Mattie - Purdue University - came to visit the temple open house!

Note from Mom:

This week we received a call from a Brother Fishburn in Indiana. He has been with Mikesell a very good portion of her mission (beginning and end). He is with the Stake where Mikesell is serving. (High Councilor over the Ward Mission Leaders)  He left a message on the cabin phone and we arranged a time for both Jeff and I to call him back and talk to him. It was truly a very tender moment listening to this dear man tell story after story of his experiences with Sister Clegg. He spoke of her "being without guile" and talked of her ability to love people in a way where she has been able to work miracles by the love she holds in her heart for them. She has truly given her heart and soul into her mission. 

I wrote her this morning and said to her I was worried about her coming home...how it may be hard...very hard. She wrote back, "It is so bittersweet Mom. I don't want to loose the feelings that I feel daily, yet I know the mantel of a missionary has to go away. There is still joy ahead... God didn't intent for Joy to stop at age 21...this is a sacred chapter and I have to choose to be grateful. I just can't express how grateful I truly am for my time as a missionary!!!" 

- Out of the mouth of babes- I am just so happy for her...

July 27, 2015

Herrrow!!!

Man oh man! This week literally was so special... The temple was absolutely incredible and the conversations I had with people that came into the tent were so great! I think about D&C 108:7...I delight in uplifting conversation. I am so grateful for this temple!! We got to bring up quite a few less actives and investigators this week and all their experiences were awesome! I love how the temple demands us to simply just be better people. Even people who are not members walk out of that building a little taller and with a desire to draw close to God, that feeling you get in the temple is undeniable!!

On Monday I had the prompting to call all of my investigators and recent converts and get them to  the temple from my previous areas, and boy has that been so neat for me!!!  Number one to see them, but number two to let them feel the spirit. I called Dirk Warner (recent convert -the snow shoveling man) and we set up a time to go through together. As he was walking through the temple he told me "He is here" ...I instantly knew what it was we were both feeling and I was so thankful for it. He since then has called me and told me he is going to talk to Bishop and see if he can receive his endowments soon!! The temple once again...demands a sense of improvement!! MIRACLE! I lost it when he told me that! 

Oh my goodness..how do I describe to you all how this weekend was? I literally cannot. Doug, William, Patricia, and Keli all made it to the waters of baptism! It was the most special day of my mission. (well...one of them...but its up there!) I have been so blessed to literally be apart of their journey from day one. It was so truly special!! Doug was so emotional and filled with the peace it was nearly incredible. Keli was so happy I thought she was going to die....she made it and hasnt smoked in two and half weeks! Patrica was absolutely terrified of the water...but she was so brave and Brother Fishburn took such good care of her. William was the sweetest thing in the entire world! They carried him down into the font and baptized him. He is 83 years old and clean as a whistle! BOY OH BOY....how thankful I am! 

As we were waiting for everyone to get changed we watched some bible videos and we were watching Christ's Atonement, I realized in that moment how truly grateful I was for the Atonement. It was the atonement that made Doug stop being an alcoholic and want to be a leader in his family and  home. It was the Atonement that helped Keli with the strength to stop smoking and for the first time in her life, do something for herself. It was the Atonement that allowed Patricia into that water and overcome the greatest fear, and it was the Atonement that let William be so humble to be baptized at age 83. I then realized "the big picture" I cannot tell you how thankful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love him. I want to be more like Him, and how thankful I am for His example. 

This week was one of my favorites! I will treasure it forever. 

I love you all! You are the best! 

Love, 

Sister Clegg   

July 20, 2015

HERROW! 

Wow...Where to begin? I am doing so good! This week has been so incredible! The VIP tours for the Indiana Temple were all this last week...then the real deal started on Friday the 17th. There was 3000 people on Friday and 4000 people on Saturday who came and saw the beautiful temple! It is just gorgeous! We have had nearly everyone come through the temple (as far as our investigators) and boy were all of them so special! Doug was probably my favorite...he has decided for sure to be baptized this Saturday because of the temple experience he had! It sealed the deal for him in his heart! We are so excited for him and happy he got his answer! He is converted and knows from the spirit that the gospel is true. It was a great experience! Doug told us..he is pretty sure he has been on cloud 9 since the temple!  Me and him both! #storyofmylife

Funny story- Dad you know the "pass along cards" we send to each other..? Well it sure did come in handy one day at the temple. So, Elder Richards (who is part of the temple department) was giving VIP tours all week so we got to talk to him a lot and he was asking me where I was from. I said Stanley (I say wherever the family is at ...at the time!)  He mentioned how he had plans to go up there but then was called to the Temple department...but still had plans on visiting Redfish. He asked for the information on Redfish and I GAVE HIM "Your personalized "Redfish" pass along card". haha I don't know how much I was fulfilling my missionary purpose but, hey! I thought you would appreciated it! :) 

Everyone is doing so well! Let me give you a update! 

Patrica and William- Man...oh man...soo good! They are ready for Saturday! Patricia has been terrified of the water this whole time. But we found out that one of the members of the Crossroads ward is a water aerobics instructor...so we asked her if there was anything she could do to help Patricia.  She was so sweet and totally hopped on board with helping with it! They both went to a pool this week and Patrica got in the water up till her arm pits! She did so good and she is going to do it again before Saturday..but she told us last night that she and William are ready and very excited! She told us she never thought she would be overcoming her fear of water now in her life! The gospel improves ALL aspects of our life! I am so humbled to be a part  of their journey! They are the best 70 year olds ever! (Besides my Grandma's and Grandpas..of course!)  

Doug is doing sooo good! He is ready for Saturday as well and is so excited! I almost have never seen someone so excited!? He texts us and asks if he can do it today all the time! :) haha! I love DOUGERS! :) He is 63 years old. :) 

Keli is the biggest miracle of all time! :) She has been addicted to cigarettes since she was 11 years old and she is 56....she had just finished her week and half mark of not smoking at all! She is doing so good...we are constantly having members text her and we are texting her...she teases us that she doesn't have anytime to smoke because everyone is always texting her! (just the way I like it!) :) She is so excited to be clean...she has had one heck of a story and I am so thankful she gets to get rid of all the "stuff" on Saturday...she is getting a very much needed new start! 
Pray for Saturday...truly the best day ever!

Some of our investigators at the temple!!!!

Things are so incredibly busy but soo good! We are struggling to find time to have personal study so we have gotten the Book of Mormon on CD and listen to it on the way up to the temple. (no lie)  Life is so incredible! This week I will probably be in Heaven...4 of my favorite people get to go into the waters of baptism and make a covenant with God. I get to be at temple all week...and see how the spirit of the temple changes people. Plus I just am loving seeing everyone I know from all over Indiana at the temple.  Do you see why I get confused if this is Heaven or Indiana? :) Life is so very good...I have told Sister Peel to pinch me a few 10 times this week! Just feel so very grateful and blessed!!

(Mom) If I were guessing...Mikesell wants to swim in the fountain and knows she can't....

I know the Temple is the house of the Lord...one persons descriptions of the temple has really stuck out to me, He said "Its amazing how you can build a building that creates a feeling!" I know that the feeling that is in the Temple is the Spirit of God, The temple is changing people...and its changing me. I am thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that make change possible. I love you all and am praying for you! Thank you for all your support and love. It means the world!!

You are the best! :)

Love, 

Sister Clegg

July 13, 2015

Hi There!!!

AHHH! WOW! WHERE DO I BEGIN! 

This week has literally  been the best ever! :) I only have 4 minutes so I am so sorry... but, I wanted to share a temple experience I had....

One experience I will hold near to my heart is Saturday night, I was welcoming people into the reception tent at the new temple and open house and there was a man named Donny who came up to me and I asked him how the tour went. He immediately responded "I'm overwhelmed." I asked him why, and began to explain to me that he had been addicted to alcohol and drugs for over 27 years and nothing compared to feeling he felt in the temple. He was silent and began to get eyes full of tears. I testified to him that I knew God loved him and that the feeling he felt was the spirit of God. He thanked me and I guided him to the comment card where he could request for missionaries to come teach him. He did and he was filled hope for the future. I was grateful for an experience on day one of the temple open house that built mine and his testimony. I love the TEMPLE! 

Everyone is doing great! Keli has been smoke free for 3 days now!!! We had 10 investigators at church! Life is just so crazy busy! Our schedule consists of temple in the morning till 4pm and then afternoons to teach peeps! I love it and I am loving life! There is so much joy in this work and then being busy in the work! 

I love you all! I am so sorry it is short! You are the best and I am praying for you!

I  LOVE YOU!!!

Love, 

Sister Clegg

Week looks like: 

TEMPLE- everyday and in the reception tent answering questions! 

Evenings -Meeting with our investigators!

I love it all!!!!

Look who was at the temple open house!! Scott Jackson!! We are from the same ward in Jerome and will be speaking in Jerome together for our homecomings! He is serving in a neighboring mission!! So great!

Some of the sister missionaries for the Indianapolis Temple Open House!

Girls Camp Last Week 

July 6, 2015

HOLA!

You all sound so great and busy! Dad..I am so glad you had a great bday! I had a great "your bday" day too! :) I thought of you a ton and couldn't believe my Daddio was 50! Wow... "Growing old is required, growing up is optional" :) 

Oh my..some times a 10 minute phone call would do better then an attempt to tell you how wonderful this week was..but here we go! 

So, we had transfers this week... I am blessed to be with my girl Sister Peel! She is so great! She has been out for a year and is from Alabama (not Utah...weird - right?) She is a great worker and is tough..my kind of girl! :) 

There are 16 sisters in our zone right now because of the temple and they are all so excited! I am grateful to be where I am at and at the timing I am at. This is going to be the best transfer ever! 

Everyone is progressing so well, literally I don't know even what is happening but I will continue to recognize who is doing it and be so very grateful. Crossroads is a miracle land and I could serve here for the rest of my life!! 

The Dennis family is on a baptismal date now and they are all doing so well! As we were teaching them this week, Daphne the Mama..told us she knew this was true and she has never felt the way she does and has in her entire life!! They committed to be baptized on August 8th and I am so excited for them. I LOVE THEM! Patricia and William are doing wonderful!! They too received their answer that they knew this was the true church. Patricia expressed how scared she was of water and how she is scared to get baptized but she knows it is something she needs to do so...will you all pray for her that she will not be afraid!? They are both progressing so well! She has read the Book of Mormon every single day since we committed them too, plus she hasn't missed church for a solid month and half! :) :)

Keli is incredible and is getting there with smoking..she needs ALL the prayers she can take...she needs to stop this week to make her date so please...put her in those prayers too! She is reading The Book of Mormon every day and being so faithful! 

Doug and Cherry made huge break throughs this week! They are getting so close to being able to commit to a date again. They are on the DIVING BOARD...now they just need to JUMP! :)  

7 people at church this week and they all loved church! I loved church! Sometime testimony meetings in the crossroads ward are very interesting but...this one was perfect! :) (this is the only Mormon church that I know that is allowed to say Amen, Hallelujah, and clap in sacrament meeting, and get away with it!?) There is a Baptist kind of feel to church and I LOVE it! haha!

Well, this week is going to be crazy! 

Tuesday- STL training meeting at the temple

Wednesday-All sister training meeting at the temple

Thursday- Zone meeting

Friday- Speaking at girls camp  

Sunday- All missionaries are getting a VIP tour of the temple with our investigators. (the temple open house hasn't even started yet...but the Temple President is giving permission to have all missionaries and their investigators go through early!)  We have 10 people committed to come already! 

I can not tell you how excited I am about the temple! I literally am like a little girl at Christmas! I have been tracking and contacting for a year and half (almost) about this beautiful building and the moment is finally here! AHHH! I cannot wait! I will make sure to write in my journal every night so I will never forget it! 

In the middle of all this goodness...we will strive to preach the gospel!  PRAY FOR ME! :) Its so busy and so great...and I have never been happier!!
I love you all and am thankful for you all! :) 

"Some dream of big things, others wake up and do them!"

Love, 

Sister Clegg

P.S. We were able to see fireworks with our zone...we got to stay out til 10:30pm and it was wonderful to celebrate America!!!

 The Grigsby Kids!

June 29, 2015

ALOHA! Happy Birthday to the two things I love most this week! My Dad and America!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy-O this week! Holy...I cannot believe I am missing the big 5-0! haha Don't worry...we will party when I return! :) I love you more then ever and I couldn't ask for a better Daddy-o..One of my heroes! Thank you for changing my life! Make sure you stay dry and give them a run for their money..I believe you "still got it!" :) 

Temple Update- we have a sisters conference on the 8th for training on temple tours and prepping for that, a tour of the temple on the 13th, and then the real deal happens on the 17th! We are all so excited! I am worried about keeping up with all the people we are teaching and doing the temple tours... but I know the Lord will keep these people progressing and we will see miracles at the temple and in the roads! :) 

 

Exchanges for the day- Temple in background!

Transfers are this week! It is going to be a crazy transfer, President is bringing a lot of sisters into the zone because of the temple and traveling...so there will be 18 sisters in our zone...our poor zone leaders! haha There are 30 missionaries leaving this transfer (Sister Hunt and Goodstein included) but, there are 19 new Elders and 9 Sisters coming out so we will have a younger missionaries..which is great! They are perfect additions! I will miss Sister Tua greatly! She is truly one of my best friends! I cannot tell you the fun we have had and the miracles we have seen together!! Her ability to love is incredible! She is one big teddy bear!  President told her she would stay close to me so, she will be able to come back for all these baptisms that WE ARE GONG TO HAVE! haha! We are hoping this transfer will be the winner for a lot of these people we are teaching! :) 

Doug unfortunately did not get baptized but, I actually wasn't sad about it at all.... I know it will happen! He wants to be truly converted and he said he is almost there but now yet...it will happen. I will continue to do all I can and then I know the Lord will take care of it. Doug is the best! Just like a Grandpa to me!! :) 

Church was amazing this week! Wow...we had the 11 people at church! Sister Tua and I were ball babies because we were so humbled to be part of this miracles. The Dennis family all came and they are doing great! They have all committed to be baptized on August 8th...I literally love that family! They have all of my heart! The kids are ...ahhh... I just love them!  Patricia and William are doing great! They committed to live the WofW and LofC this week. Keli told us this week that she knows this church is true and she is down to 6 cigs a day...which is huge for her! She is doing incredible! Cherry is alive! We haven't seen her in forever because of the baby and everything and for a while we thought we lost her for good, but we saw her this week and she told us she realized how much she needs us and church in her life. She found out there was a difference! She said she was going to come to church next week! That was the happiest moment of my life! WHOO!  

As you can tell this week was soooooooooo great! I just pray every night that I can keep up with Crossroads miracles. This has literally been the best 3 months ever. There is so much work always to be done and it just feels comfortable to be here. These people are family. We call everyone Mama and Papa and everyone calls us their babies! :) haha One big happy family! I am so grateful!!

This weeks thoughts have been focused a lot on the principle of having a perspective. That is one of the things I have learned the most is God's vision and view of things. I know that is when true peace comes...when we see the way God sees them. I know God is in the details!!

I love you all! Have a great 4th of July! MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY! 

I love you! 

Its bell lap time....time to go hard. :) 

Love, 

Sister Clegg   

Lucus Oil Stadium

 

My Happy Birthday Sign from the girls on the wall :)