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Do NOT Attempt in Heels: Mission Stories and Advice from Sisters Who've Been There
Whether a sister has already worn a missionary badge or is still planning to wear one, this collection of personal stories from the mission field is sure to inspire and entertain. Feel the elation, exhaustion, humor, frustration, and faith of these dedicated sister missionaries. Share the spirit of the divine work of sister missionaries with Do Not Attempt in Heels.
- GenresReligionNonfiction
224 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published February 11, 2014
3 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 11, 2014
This was hands down the best missionary prep book I've ever read. It's unflinchingly honest and deeply moving. I'm not sure how the authors managed to cover the whole range of elation and despair to be found in the field and still leave the reader with renewed faith and determination to be that lump of potter's clay. I read most of it in one sitting on a plane from Phoenix to Philadelphia. At one point I had to stop reading because couldn't stop thinking about the Book of Mormon in my bag and the man sitting next to me who was headed to a funeral. After I was finished writing a note in the BoM for him (he was asleep, so I couldn't give it to him right away) I went back to Do Not Attempt in Heels. In the end I was glad the man was asleep because I cried through much of the end, and this is officially the first book for which I've cried while writing the review. On my mission I personally felt most of the emotions described in these stories, (even the mission crush) and experiencing them all again almost made me want to slap back on the name tag. My daughters and my sons will be reading this book before they serve missions. And I know they will be better prepared because of it.
July 16, 2019
Wonderful.
February 15, 2014
4 STARS
Title is so true. Reading this book brought a bunch of memories back from 85-86 when I served a mission. The timing of this book is off for my family. My youngest got home in Dec. from her mission. It would have been nice a couple of years ago.
Do Not Attempt in Heals is a bunch of essays written by different women who served a mission and a couple that did not go.
When one young woman was trying to decide if she should go or stay home her father said, " You may regret not going, but you will never regret going." So true.
This book is geared toward young woman who are trying to decide if going on a mission is the right choice for them. But I think it can uplift anyone to read these essays that tell a brief glance at one event or lesson learned. Weather it is learning to get along with a companion all the time, or learning service, love for the people, getting answers from prayers, growing stronger or humbling themselves.
These Sister Missionaries served all over the world, in different languages. All learned many things from serving a mission.
I enjoyed reading Do Not Attempt in Heels. Sharing their love of the Savior.
I was given this book to read and asked to give honest opinion about it and be part of its book tour.
August 21, 2014
"Mom, can you buy me a copy of this? Its really encouraging!" said to me tonight by my almost 9 year old daughter. I cant think of any other books my book devouring girl has swiped from me. I will gladly let her read it! When I asked her to elaborate she said, "It shows that even though a mission is hard, you get a lot of good things from it."
I love that I can pick up this book when I have a moment and read a full story in just a little time. I enjoy how the voice of the writers seems to be sharing these stories with a close friend. It pulls me in, gets me thinking about how their epiphanies relate to my own life (even though right now I'm a mom of 4 kids). It pulls to the surface of my thoughts memories of my own mission and I feel renewed gratitude for those experiences and the testimonies I am blessed with because of them.
I think the story that touched me the most was Elise Babbel Hahl's story about struggling so much with her companion and thinking she could accomplish so much more on her own, and then her companion ended up saving her life in a very dangerous situation. She realized that being in a pair really was needful sometimes for reasons we wouldn't perceive so easily. The Lord's hand is over us and even though things may seem tormenting over a long time, as we are doing our part, we can trust that it is for our good.
I intend to share a copy of this book with young women I know (whether planning on serving a mission or not) because the stories invite reflection on the purpose of a mission and though we are all different, considering others' stories can help us have the desire to know for ourselves the Lord's will for us. That is why I will buy a copy for my daughter as well :)
I love that I can pick up this book when I have a moment and read a full story in just a little time. I enjoy how the voice of the writers seems to be sharing these stories with a close friend. It pulls me in, gets me thinking about how their epiphanies relate to my own life (even though right now I'm a mom of 4 kids). It pulls to the surface of my thoughts memories of my own mission and I feel renewed gratitude for those experiences and the testimonies I am blessed with because of them.
I think the story that touched me the most was Elise Babbel Hahl's story about struggling so much with her companion and thinking she could accomplish so much more on her own, and then her companion ended up saving her life in a very dangerous situation. She realized that being in a pair really was needful sometimes for reasons we wouldn't perceive so easily. The Lord's hand is over us and even though things may seem tormenting over a long time, as we are doing our part, we can trust that it is for our good.
I intend to share a copy of this book with young women I know (whether planning on serving a mission or not) because the stories invite reflection on the purpose of a mission and though we are all different, considering others' stories can help us have the desire to know for ourselves the Lord's will for us. That is why I will buy a copy for my daughter as well :)
March 16, 2014
My sister Elise is the editor for this book, and I even wrote a chapter for it ("Was That inspiration or Indigestion?") so of course it gets 5 stars! But if I try to be objective and unbiased, I'd still give it a top-notch review. This was a very uplifting, upbeat, honest book about LDS missions. It really resonated with me and flooded back memories of my 18-month mission to Arizona. I think anyone would enjoy the read (especially RMs), but it is geared towards pre-mission girls and girls who are currently serving missions. If you're a youth leader, this would be a great gift for your teenagers. I had a few friends write blurbs for my chapter (and you may know some of them)-- Chelsea, Janine, Jenna, Catherine, Jackie, Amy, Tara, and Alyson. This book is definitely worth your time!
January 29, 2018
A great book I highly recommend. I loved the varying mission stories and advice given to deal with even the toughest situation. I love the sisters faith and appreciated that throughout all of their stories, they all had to rely on the Lord and trust that in His grace they could overcome their trials. Great read for anybody (member or not).
September 5, 2019
I love the inspiring, humorous, real and uplifting stories in this book. I would highly recommend it especially for future sister missionaries. The testimonies and courage of the sisters who contributed to this book are beautiful.
August 5, 2021
It’s pretty cute :)
January 14, 2022
Inspirational and comforting for someone who is about to go on a mission <3
February 20, 2014
This book is great! I served a mission eons ago now and this book proves how timeless missions truly are. I could totally relate to the experiences of these much younger girls. I felt like some of them were telling my own experiences and others I didn't experience myself but have heard stories from other returned missionaries throughout the years. There are seven girls in my family and we all served missions, so we have lots of stories between us!
I could relate to Mary Jones Scoresby's story titled "Sweet Lemons." She got her call to Italy and envisioned the perfect mission where she and her companion's "...discussions would be a seamless sequence of truth, testimony, and tears" and she was prepared to go forth and change the landscape of the church in Italy. However, the reality was insomnia, difficult companions, lack of investigators and failing branches. It was easy to become discouraged. She started to understand agency better and was blessed with the Spirit and went on to have a much better mission experience. Yes, negative feelings are felt on missions but that's usually when the most growth occurs.
From experiences with rejection, success, homesickness, investigators, companions, elders, ward members, health, discouragement, happiness, teaching, praying, and many more, you can experience the ups and downs of missionary life through reading this book. It truly is a roller coaster yet it is worth it! Missions are hard but they don't seem like they will be until you experience it for yourself.
In the Introduction, they explain the title of their book: "...wherever you may serve, take this one last piece of advice about missions to heart: Do not attempt in heels! (We're not kidding.) In the end, the most attractive footwear is the kind that allows you to work all day. ...That's true in every mission." I wholeheartedly agree!
This is a book I think everyone would enjoy. If you're planning to serve a mission, if you wanted to but never got the chance, if you're a returned missionary, or even if you're not quite sure what a mission is, there are stories to help you begin to understand what a mission entails or to jog your memories of your own mission experiences. The chapters vary in length and are all well written and entertaining! This is a great read!
Mel's Shelves
I could relate to Mary Jones Scoresby's story titled "Sweet Lemons." She got her call to Italy and envisioned the perfect mission where she and her companion's "...discussions would be a seamless sequence of truth, testimony, and tears" and she was prepared to go forth and change the landscape of the church in Italy. However, the reality was insomnia, difficult companions, lack of investigators and failing branches. It was easy to become discouraged. She started to understand agency better and was blessed with the Spirit and went on to have a much better mission experience. Yes, negative feelings are felt on missions but that's usually when the most growth occurs.
From experiences with rejection, success, homesickness, investigators, companions, elders, ward members, health, discouragement, happiness, teaching, praying, and many more, you can experience the ups and downs of missionary life through reading this book. It truly is a roller coaster yet it is worth it! Missions are hard but they don't seem like they will be until you experience it for yourself.
In the Introduction, they explain the title of their book: "...wherever you may serve, take this one last piece of advice about missions to heart: Do not attempt in heels! (We're not kidding.) In the end, the most attractive footwear is the kind that allows you to work all day. ...That's true in every mission." I wholeheartedly agree!
This is a book I think everyone would enjoy. If you're planning to serve a mission, if you wanted to but never got the chance, if you're a returned missionary, or even if you're not quite sure what a mission is, there are stories to help you begin to understand what a mission entails or to jog your memories of your own mission experiences. The chapters vary in length and are all well written and entertaining! This is a great read!
Mel's Shelves
February 20, 2014
Although this is a book for Sister Missionaries by Sister Missionaries...
EVERYONE can enjoy the personal stories shared within.
You will laugh!
You will cry!
You might even say 'Been there! Done that!'
You will absolutely LOVE these sister missionaries and missionaries everywhere!
You will read about hard times and tender times.
You will read about miracles.
You will feel the power of missionary work.
If you know a sister missionaries whether she is thinking about going, is going, or is already out in the field please share this book with them.
FAVORITE QUOTES~
"Be perfect in Christ ~ instead of being perfect for Christ"
"I used the shield of optimism to protect against the rejection, exhaustion, and depression that can accompany missionary work. Optimism can protect you from darkness. It can pull you to the sunlight where things grow...I ride the roller coaster of life with both hands in the air."
EVERYONE can enjoy the personal stories shared within.
You will laugh!
You will cry!
You might even say 'Been there! Done that!'
You will absolutely LOVE these sister missionaries and missionaries everywhere!
You will read about hard times and tender times.
You will read about miracles.
You will feel the power of missionary work.
If you know a sister missionaries whether she is thinking about going, is going, or is already out in the field please share this book with them.
FAVORITE QUOTES~
"Be perfect in Christ ~ instead of being perfect for Christ"
"I used the shield of optimism to protect against the rejection, exhaustion, and depression that can accompany missionary work. Optimism can protect you from darkness. It can pull you to the sunlight where things grow...I ride the roller coaster of life with both hands in the air."
June 13, 2016
The compilation of stories were a great read - well put together, and insightful. I especially enjoyed the book knowing both compilers, and having a brother out on a mission which made it more personal.
A few favorite tidbits:
- My dad used to walk into a room of grumpy kids, clap his hands and say, "Let's do it!" He had a way of energizing any crowd (while embarrassing his kids) and turning a challenge into an adventure. He used to write notes of encouragement and stick them on the bathroom mirror. Thirteen years after his death, the one that remains reads: "Do it, and then some!"
- Systematically arranging your thoughts and committing them to paper forces you to think through ideas more carefully.
- It's true what they say: the days feel like years and the years feel like days.
- Our mistakes are important. They remind us of our dependence on the Savior.
A few favorite tidbits:
- My dad used to walk into a room of grumpy kids, clap his hands and say, "Let's do it!" He had a way of energizing any crowd (while embarrassing his kids) and turning a challenge into an adventure. He used to write notes of encouragement and stick them on the bathroom mirror. Thirteen years after his death, the one that remains reads: "Do it, and then some!"
- Systematically arranging your thoughts and committing them to paper forces you to think through ideas more carefully.
- It's true what they say: the days feel like years and the years feel like days.
- Our mistakes are important. They remind us of our dependence on the Savior.
August 3, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this collection of stories from various sister missionaries. It was an emotional rollercoaster in and of itself. I loved seeing all the good times the sisters had, and the hard times as well. I know that my mission is not going to be a field full of roses and daffodils. It's going to be hard work, but it will be worth it. Reading a book like this has made me even more excited to serve a mission!
February 18, 2015
Loved it! I wish I had this book when I served my mission. And while I could relate to many of these experiences, I really valued the everyday lessons that were so entertainingly portrayed. Instruction regarding forgiveness, health, patience, service, following the Spirit, pride, etc. could be appreciated by anyone.
November 28, 2014
Very excellent and miraculous stories in here. A very enjoyable read, particularly for those who have or hope to participate in any missionary work, formal or informal.
Generally, I found the shorter stories to be more to the point which in turn made them more powerful.
Generally, I found the shorter stories to be more to the point which in turn made them more powerful.
July 26, 2016
I didn't completely read this back-to-back, but I plan to. The stories and articles in here are so funny and refreshing and comforting and beautiful. Must read for future or former or family of or anyone interested in LDS sister missionaries.
October 23, 2016
This book is wonderful and is an absolute joy to read! It contains stories that I will always treasure and life lessons that I hope to use on my own mission. I highly recommend it for anyone who is planning on (or contemplating) serving an LDS mission.
didn-t-finish
December 27, 2014Decided not to read after glancing at it on the library shelf. Meh.
July 29, 2016
I haven't served a mission, but I appreciated the stories. I liked the short essays. Good messages.
July 9, 2014
I would highly recommend this to any girl thinking of serving a mission or to anyone curious about the challenges you may face on a mission.
August 11, 2016
An incredibly insightful book for all women, not just missionaries. Loved the stories, but even more, I loved the encouragement, inspiration, growth, and realness I found in every story.
February 8, 2016
Love this book. Filled with amazing stories and so much good advice!
November 2, 2016
Best book ever! I learned so much in prep for my own mission in Jan!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews