Monday, September 12, 2016
Well,
I have to say, this transfer has been crazy, like I say every week. But this
was the craziest of them all. I literally felt like a chicken with my head cut
off running around. Clearly, I didn't involve the Lord as much as I should
have, but it was still really good.
To
start off, we had an AMAZING pday. Honestly best yet! Never thought anything
could beat my Pdays in Redding, but this one did. A member in the first Ward rented
an 11 passenger van and took all the missionaries in the zone (some sisters
drove with his wife) to a hike by Donner's Pass. I think it was called Independence
Trail. It was absolutely beautiful. I love being in nature and exploring and
discovering Gods creations. The hike was an hour way and he came late so we're
doing this activity from 9 am to about 5 pm so we were exhausted and really didn't have time
to do any of our shopping because we needed to eat and go to our lesson with
Justin. So it was super fun, but not very productive.
Tuesday
was another exciting but exhausting day. We got dressed in our service clothes
and headed to Penn Valley (about a 45 min drive) to do service with some elders
and sisters. We went to non members house and helped clean out their swamp
filled cattail a and other deeply rooted weeds. I don't think I have ever been
that dirty in my entire life. It was hard work too. I worked with the wife
named Eva. We became good friends and worked really well together. She would
dig with the shovel and I would pull it out and hand the root/cattail thing to
Sister Dee who would put it in a pile. We were covered in swamp water and mud!
We got stuck in the mud up to our thighs multiple times. But we had a BLAST!
They even fed us a home cooked lunch after! Apparently they aren't at all
interested in learning the gospel, but I know one day their hearts will be
softened to hear it.
We
were so dirty and exhausted after. We came home, showered and headed to dinner.
We ate with the B family and boy do I love that family! It is a young couple
with a 16 month old daughter who is the cutest (besides Ella of course). We
shared the Mormon message by Jeffrey R. Holland called "Good things to
come." This is one of my favorite Mormon Messages of all time. Elder
Holland encourages us to keep going, keep trying, keep trusting. Heaven is
cheering us on! He reminds us that some blessings come soon, some come late and
some don't come till Heaven. But to those who trust in the Lord, they come.
That just brings me so much hope. I like to see the results of my hard work; I
like to reap the rewards. But often in missionary work we will never know the
fruits of our labors, but we trust in the Lord that those blessings will come.
But it’s the Lord’s work, not mine!
We
went over to see the P family. They are from Hawaii. On our way up to their
apartment we met a lady named Patty. She has a beautiful garden that she tends
to often. We got to know her and she inquired of who we are and what we did. We
explained that we are missionaries that teach the gospel. She thought that was
great and said that if we are ever in the area we are welcome to knock on her
door and say hello.
Well,
going to visit the P family was truly inspired because not only did we meet
Patty but, we learned that two of the daughters sell for Lularoe. Anyone knows
about Lularoe you know it's super cute, comfy modest clothes but it is very
expensive. Like seriously ridiculous. So, they offered to give us free
clothes....like what?! So Sister D and I each got a dress and a pair of
leggings. I also got a top and she got another dress! We are so excited and
grateful for their kindness!
We
had a really great lesson with Justin that night. The Hansen boys came and so
did McKenna and Brother M. We taught the Law of Chastity and went over the
baptismal questions. He is just so excited to be baptized and has no hesitation
is sharing his testimony! It's been such a blessing and joy to watch Justin
grow in the gospel.
Wednesday
we had zone meeting and President and Sister Marston came! We discussed goals
and set new goals for the next month. We talked about the importance of prayer
in teaching and particularly in receiving revelation. My prayers have
fluctuated over my mission. I can recall times where I was on my knees for a
long time pleading with God for help and guidance. While some nights, it's a
check off the list. I have noticed a huge difference, as I take the time to
communicate with my Heavenly Father. Once we think we made it, that's when we
have the most humbling and growing to do.
Oh
a wonderful thing happened on Thursday! Chick-fil- a opened!! Previously, the
only chick-fil-as in the whole mission were in Granite Bay and Roseville, so
this is a miracle! But also a curse because I'm sure most of my allotment will
go to there.
That
night we had a lesson with one of my favorite families in Foresthill. The C.
family. They have three little girls and a boy. They are the sweetest, cutest
family and I just adore them. We taught them the Restoration and I was able to
recite the first vision and testify that I know it is true. It was tough to get
through, the spirit was so strong I choked up and had to pause multiple times.
I have become quite the blubber baby on my mission.
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| Justin's mom |
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| At Justin's baptism |
Friday
was a blessed day, well actually I was stressed up to the roof but JUSTIN was
baptized!! He is a quite serious young man, so he didn't smile, but he glowed!
And he sang the closing hymn, which was "I am a Child of God". It
made me so happy to see him enter the waters of baptism and make this beautiful
covenant with our Heavenly Father. The Spirit was so strong and after his
father baptized, he hugged his dad and said "thanks dad." It was a
sweet moment I will never forget. I know that God’s hand is in the details of
our lives and that He knows our hearts and will place people in our path who
need us and we need them.
Saturday
morning the stake Relief Society held an activity. The theme was Come Unto
Christ. It started with a reader’s theater and musical presentations, which
were beautiful. Then 5 classes were held but you were able to go to 4 of them.
The first one we went to was all about continual conversion and that's where
the title comes from. The Sister spoke about how there is never a point that we
made it, we learned everything about the gospel and that the rest of life will
be a breeze. But, that we are continually learning and growing and we should
always be seeking truth. That was probably my favorite class.
That
afternoon we went to a funeral. So far I have attended a funeral or memorial in
all of my areas, I wonder if that streak will continue...anyways, our Branch
Mission Leaders father passed away this past week. We never had the opportunity
to meet him, but could tell by his children that he was one of the sweetest,
funniest men you'd ever meet. It was evident that the family had a firm
knowledge that they would see their relative again. For the majority of the
funeral they were celebrating his life and many of the tears were from
laughter. How grateful I am for the knowledge of the plan of happiness. That we
can be with our families FOREVER!! It's all made possible in the gospel of
Jesus Christ, because of His infinite Atonement.
Sunday was a great day! I love the
Sabbath, especially when we feel productive and useful at Church. There were
two farewells for missionaries leaving in October and Justin received the Holy
Ghost! We were walking down the hall, when the primary President came up to us
and asked if we could share our experience in deciding to serve a mission in
Primary! I LOVE being in Primary, this little ones have such a sweet
Spirit.
We
had another tender K. family moment. Their daughter, (Justin's sister) came up
to us and said "I just wanted to say Thank You for helping my brother get
baptized." Tears filled my eyes. I could tell she loves her brother and
sees a difference in him. I am grateful for the day that they can be sealed as
a family for all time and eternity.
 | |
| 10 month mark! |
On
Sunday,
guess what happens?! I hit my 10 month mark! What?! I feel like I tell y'all
every month, but 10 months is just weird that I am now in the double
digits...this is going by waaaayyy too fast (and so I am not going to bring
this up again).
I
love y'all! I invite each of you to pray for missionary opportunities and then
have the faith and courage to act on the promptings you receive! I know you can
do it and I know that God will help you!!
Love
y'all
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