Friday,
November 22, 2013 12:42 PM
Thank you all ya'll (practicing my mission language) for the
sweet letters, and for your prayers. I have so much mail I can hardly
keep up, but I love it! It's even worth getting teased by the district
for getting so much mail! ;)
Saturday:
We had a lot of study time, and district and zone classes.
A sister in the zone told how she had been struggling and had received
two priesthood blessings. She was wondering why she was having such a hard time
when she was here to serve the Lord, and began to pray. She felt that one
of the reasons was so she could help the Elders by allowing them to use the
priesthood to bless her, and she had told the Lord she would do whatever he
asked. I was really impressed by her faith and endurance. A few
days later this sister actually had to go home. We will miss her, but are
grateful she was able to be with us as long as she was. I began wondering
if I could have that kind of faith. All of a sudden I realized that I too
was having a hard time, though not as extreme as her. I was feeling
really homesick, especially when things slowed down at night.
Sunday:
I decided to ask for a blessing. I was a little unsure since
I thought the blessing with my setting apart told me I wouldn't be lonely for
those I loved while I was away. The more I thought about it though I
realized that often Heavenly Father promises us blessings when we act. So
I acted. It worked out in a perfect tender mercy that at breakfast all of
the Elders except for the District Leader, Elder Wadswroth, went to put their
trays away. I was able to ask for a blessing and asked that he talk to
the Elders to see who could use that opportunity to bless me. Sunday was
truly the best day! We enjoyed a walk around the temple and afterwards
came back for Sacrament meeting.
Everyone in the district had been asked to prepare a talk on
the Book of Mormon and two of us would be called on to speak. The "veteran
zone" said they would probably speak. Surprise surprise when one of
their sisters was called on, and the second speaker was me! It was
supposed to be 3-5 minutes. . . but my sisters told me mine went on about
10 minutes. . I felt the spirit when I was speaking and I hope the rest of the
district did.
After sacrament meeting I received a blessing. Elder
Kuamoo (Koo-ahm-O-O) did the anointing, and Elder Pace gave the blessing.
It was short and simple, but just what I needed. He said I wouldn't
be homesick, that my family would be alright, and to remember that I have
people here who care about me. It was beautiful. I haven't been
homesick since! I still miss everyone I love, but it's not that aching
lonely feeling! I'm also grateful to have been an instrument in the hands
of the Lord by allowing the Elders to use the priesthood. I was wondering
why my forehead was oily the rest of the night (apparently Elder Kuamoo's
reaction when the oil came out too fast was priceless), but it was perfect!
Monday:
The sisters got up early for aerobics which was so fun!
I felt like I was actually dancing at the MTC! We went to meet with
an investigator and had an amazing experience! We actually met her
husband in the hallway first and started talking to him casually. We
talked with both of them about prayer, and why children don't always choose the
right when their parents pray for them. It was a beautiful lesson.
I felt Heavenly Father's love so strong, and at the end when this man
prayed and spoke to his Heavenly Father it was amazing! I LOVE teaching
about the gospel and helping others come unto Christ!!!
Tuesday:
We actually slept in until 6:30! In District class we
were given an exercise to open the Book of Mormon to a random page and see how
it answers one of the "questions of the soul." (Where are we from,
who is God...) Sister Hillman and I were working together and were used
in the Lord's hands twice. On our way to the couches we were able to comfort a
sister going to our mission who is really having a hard time. When we got
to the couch a man was sitting there looking at his phone. We said hello
and started the exercise. Surprisingly, we were able to find scriptures
that fit most of the time. Then this man said, "I don't believe that
works. You're not using real questions." Bolder than I thought
I would ever be I asked if he had a question he wanted answered. He
explained that in his country some wanted to rebel and take over the
government. He supports them, but doesn't know if God will agree with his
choice. He said the Bible teaches that killing is a terrible sin and he
is afraid some men will have to die. He told us to close our books and
open them. Sister Hillman shared first, and honestly it didn't work.
I was praying, and then the scripture I was looking at fell into place.
It was 3 Nephi chapter 12. I explained that Christ was teaching the
"Be attitudes" as he did in the Bible, then read verse 10: "and
blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." We invited him to pray to know if the choice he
was making was right. If he felt it was what God wanted, the God would be
pleased. We talked about how we're taught it's better for wicked men to
die than for righteous to dwell in captivity, but he need to pray to know if
this was right. He tried to get a more direct answer, but we stuck with
it. He shook our hands and told us he had some thinking to do. I
truly believe that we were lead in this missionary experience! Who knew I
would have such real experiences and such hard questions in the MTC?!
Wednesday:
Sister Yeakely and I have continued to teach the couple we
mentioned previously, Jose and Hely. They have such sweet spirits, and it
is so easy to talk to them. Jose showed us a fortune from a fortune
cookie he got that said, "There are angels among us, teasure their
presence every day." He said we are his angels. One of my
teachers had actually told us that in Hebrew angel means "messenger from
God." So in reality, we are! I think that is amazing! I
also believe that all of you can be angels by that definition! Don't be
afraid to share your testimony! I know that if you do you will not be
alone! The Lord will put words into your mouth as he promised time and
time again. I've seen this in my short life as a missionary, and I
trust it will continue to happen.
Thursday:
We spent ten hours in an "In-field orientation."
Basically, we learned things we'll need next week (When I'm in
FLORIDA!!!!!) I learned a lot, and it was really fun! There were
some great demonstrations, and they even put on a play for us (which one of the
guys who was on the District was in!!!) It was long, but worth sitting
all day!
Friday:
Service again! Which was the same as last week (sweep
bathrooms and stairs) except we added cleaning glass doors and stair railings.
We went for a run, picked up a sack breakfast (since we can't go into
the cafeteria in work-our clothes), and when we went back to our room we found
a bunch of people sandbagging the hall in front of our room. Ok, they
were actually using sheets, but there was a huge puddle in the hall! One
of the shower pipes broke, and some of the water got in our room, but not far
enough in to get to any of our things gratefully! But we got to listen to
carpet cleaners and fans all morning! Hooray for floods! And an
even bigger hooray to the wonderful workers who are cleaning the carpet for us!
It's time for lunch, but know that you are all in my
thoughts and prayers! I am loving serving the Lord! I don't think
I've ever felt closer to the spirit. I receive revelation everyday and there
are people who don't even know they have a Heavenly Father. I am so
excited to go to Florida to teach some of those people so they can choose to
come back to our loving Heavenly Father!
