Married Mormon Missionaries.

Thought that title might catch your attention.

Every once in a while I get this feeling that I should write a blog post relating to our faith as Mormons. It usually comes out of nowhere, but always at a time when I have a spare few minutes and can write a little. I figure I better follow the prompting and do it.

We both served Mormon missions and we loved it. Jon served in Rosario, Argentina and I served at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, plus spent 12 weeks of it serving in Houston, Texas. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with Mormons or the missions we serve (or both), here's a quick rundown. Girls serve for 18 months and guys serve for 2 years. You have to be at least age 18 for guys and age 19 for girls. Girls are called "Sister [last name]" and guys are called "Elder [last name]" and we wear name tags that say that, plus "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (which is our church's full name). It is completely volunteer and unpaid, but us and our families have to pay to go which provides for our living expenses. (Church members help out when needed also.) We don't choose where we go, we just apply and get a letter saying where and when. We don't watch tv or talk on the phone to our friends and family, or anything like that. We turn that entire time over to God and teach people about our faith and about Jesus Christ.

It sounds crazy, but it's awesome.

Both of our missions were kinda the same, yet very different. Jon was in a foreign country knocking on doors, teaching people in their homes, learning Spanish, and dealing with various living conditions. It amazes me some of the epic stories he tells of living there and the wonderful experiences he had and people he met. I served in a more comfortable atmosphere with 100+ other sister missionaries (from every country you can think of) all in one area where millions of people from all over the world come to visit each year. We gave tours, taught our faith to several people each day, and had the backdrop of the beautiful Salt Lake Temple 24/7.

So, what am I getting at? What's the point of this post?

Mainly I just wanted to say it bluntly. 

We [Mormons] have got to be doing something right.

You may not believe in our faith or even in God, but getting two stubborn teenagers who were considering eloping in Vegas to put that aside for several years and only have communication via snail mail is a pretty amazing feat. 

We've seen the blessings of this gospel and of following the teachings of Jesus Christ. There's no other way to happiness and whoever you are, we challenge you to read and pray about the things we believe. Contact your local missionaries to teach you and they will ask you to pray about it. Contact us and we'll give you a Book of Mormon or answer any questions you have, even if they're tough ones. Mormons and missionaries only share the faith and God does the rest. This world is getting scarier by the day and we know there's hope in something bigger: it's called eternal life.

Here's some LEGIT sites for you.

www.lds.org

www.mormon.org

Do it. We dare you.

Love,

The Married Mormon [Returned] Missionaries

"Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!" -Russell M. Nelson [Let Your Faith Show April 2014 General Conference]

Halfway Stop & We're Home.

We're back in California and things couldn't be better. We've been busy with work, family, and most of all buy being in loooooove! (Aw.)

It's been a great first week and we feel more at home than ever before. Things have fallen into place for us and we can hardly believe how perfect it is. We know for one reason or another we're meant to be here at this time in our lives. Although living with the parents isn't ideal, we know that if we're meant to stick around God will provide ways for us to sustain ourselves, and we're grateful for such supportive parents here and in New York. I've already got an amazing job and Jon has had some really cool opportunities too so it's only going to get better from here on out!

For a little late update, on our road trip home last weekend we stopped halfway at Quail Creek State Park near St. George, Utah for a good night's sleep before more driving. Sadly hardly any sleep happened with super hot and dry desert weather and a thunder storm that lasted all night. But we had a nice little date with some cider and sandwiches and enjoyed a short dip in the lake. It could have been cooler but we made the most of it.

In 2 weeks we'll be in New York with my family so we're excited about that! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and blog all about it. I haven't been home for almost 2 years which is really weird!! But really California is my home NY was just temporary. But I can do visits. :) Excited to visit Jersey and some friends there that I haven't seen in far too long. Plus I can show Jon my high school stomping grounds! It'll always have a place in my heart.

Life is great for the Faldmos and we're excited to find out what living back in California has in store for us!