In this episode of Called Sister, Sarah interviews Sister Stone, currently serving in the Tampa Florida Mission—right in the middle of her experience.

At just 4 months in, she shares a raw and honest look at what missionary life is really like:

• The constant mental and emotional stretch
  
• Why teaching becomes the most joyful part
  
• How she handles hard days and physical exhaustion
  
• The difference between shame and true repentance
  
• Why your relationship with God matters more than anything
  

This episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be willing.

If you’re preparing for a mission, currently serving, or recently returned, this conversation will strengthen and encourage you.

💛 Share this with someone who needs it.

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 Welcome + purpose of the podcast

1:10 Meet Sister Stone (Houston → Tampa Mission)

2:05 Did she always want to serve?

3:10 From “I can’t eat tomatoes” to choosing a mission

4:20 Submitting mission papers + surreal feeling

5:15 What surprised her most about mission life

6:00 “It’s like running a marathon”

7:10 How she’s already changed in 4 months

8:00 Half marathon → mission connection

9:20 Choosing to do hard things before the mission

10:30 Why you never really “rest” on a mission

11:40 Teaching = the BEST part of missionary life

12:50 Powerful story: teaching Anna about baptism

14:30 Seeing the Spirit change someone in real time

15:40 “Don’t be nervous about teaching”

17:00 English missions are still HARD

18:10 Unexpected challenge: constant mental strain

19:00 The “missionary headache” explained

20:00 How she gets through hard days

21:00 Companions: hard AND the biggest blessing

22:20 Favorite things to teach: Plan of Salvation & Repentance

23:00 Repentance vs shame (POWERFUL explanation)

25:00 Teaching in the Bible Belt: pros & challenges

27:00 Final advice: why you should serve a mission

28:10 Closing thoughts + invitation to share

1. “It’s like running a marathon… you’re constantly being stretched.”
2. “Teaching is the break.”
3. “When you see someone feel the Spirit for the first time… that’s everything.”
4. “Don’t be nervous about teaching—be nervous you won’t make it through.”
5. “Repentance isn’t shame… it’s letting God heal you.”
6. “Anything you want to hide from God—that’s where the adversary is working.”
7. “Even in English, missionary work is a whole different language.”
8. “You’re thinking about other people ALL day long.”
9. “Go on a mission for your Heavenly Father—not just for yourself.”
10. “You’re not perfect—but He is, and you can rely on Him.”

🔥 Bonus 

• “The mission doesn’t stop—you just learn how to keep going.”
• “Sometimes repentance is just a prayer.”
• “You don’t have to be afraid of God.”

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