Mom, thank you so much for your email.
Sounds like the trip was lots of fun. I am sad I missed it but mostly
glad that the family is still managing to have fun without me. ;)
I can't wait to get my #5 shirt. We have talked
about that for ages! I can't believe you finally did it! Tania, you are
awesome. Thank you for doing that for our family.
I don't have a lot of time. A member, probably my
favorite member in the ward right now took me and my companion to the
Aquarium today. It was so cool! and even better than that is that it was
100% free! Her Neice works there and got us in free. It was a nice
place, lots of really cool exhibits. We even got to go into a butterfly
house, kinda like the one at the Hogel Zoo a few years ago, it cost more
just to go in so it was way cool that we got to go, normally a trip
like today would cost around $40 dollars or more... and we did it all
for free! Got to love the mission. Haha. I think the best part of all
was the her 2 year old daughter came with us. She is so cute! Me and her
were buds. You just can't do something like that without kids, its only
fun if you have a little one to share it with and rediscover everything
through their eyes. I think that's another reason I love being in a big
family.
Family. This week has been so amazing. It took a
transfer but it finally feels like we're doing some good here, like this
is really where I am supposed to be. After that awesome Mission
Conference last week we tried some new things, specifically with our
planning. It was true what they said, planning, when done right is 100%
revelation. We would plan, and then pray, and then revise our plans, and
then pray again. It was very clear to us that our Father In Heaven had
very specific things he wanted taught and accomplished in the next
transfer and coming week. It was amazing. I was so excited to get out
and start putting our plans into action.
Then once we started trying to put our plans into
action it seemed like everything was falling apart. All of our
appointments fell through and it just felt like we were doing something
wrong, at least at first. But then, as we turned to the spirit we
realized that God had more important things for us to be doing.
Specifically with the member we went to the aquarium with today.
You see, her sister tried to cross the border last
week and got caught. She is in Jail in Arizona right now and basically
was in limbo for a few days. No one knew where she was, how to reach her
or anything. And because she only speaks Spanish it was even harder for
her to try and figure everything out. So we went to help out. And you
know what, even though we were at a members house, not really teaching
or anything really missionary-y... I knew that that was exactly where we
were supposed to be that night. She needed to know that she was not
alone and that God was watching out for her and her sister. We just so
happened to be the tool he used at that particular moment.
Something similar happened the day after in that we
had planned to go see lots of people and almost every single appointment
fell through. It was so frustrating. I felt so discouraged. Honestly I
kinda felt like we had been given this grand responsibility with all
the revelation for all these people and somehow we'd done something so
that He didn't trust us anymore... like we'd messed up. But I should
have known better. He guided us back to the home of that member that
night and while I helped her send money to her sister so she could call
out of the Jail my companion began a really cool discussion with a man
they live with who is not a member. It was amazing! He committed to come
to church and read the Book Of Mormon. We'll keep working with him
until he officially decides to take the lessons. Haha.
Family. I miss you a lot. But being here and missing
you... its worth it. Even missing Disneyland is worth it if it means
that someone here will find the truth they have been searching for. If
it means that someone here will start on their path to salvation it is
totally 100% worth it. I love it here! I love the people. I love the
work. I love New York. I love being a missionary, it is the most unique
thing you can be. It opens doors that otherwise would remain shut. You
can talk to anyone and everyone and even though they don't all listen
you don't feel awkward. You are immediate best friends with everyone in
the ward and you get to study the gospel all day every day. Its pretty
amazing. Jacob. I am so excited for you. Jump in! Jump in, and even if
initially you feel like you are drowning just dog paddle until you find
your stroke, because you will. I promise you you will. Rely 100% on the
Lord. That is the only way to do this work. It is the only way to
succeed. If you can do that it doesn't matter how many people you
baptize or how many lessons you teach, all that will matter is that you
were doing what the Lord wanted you to be doing at that exact moment,
and even if that is just sewing seeds that you never get to see bloom,
that is okay, someday you will get to see the fruits of your labors. I
am so proud of you.
Family. On this day after Easter I want to testify
to you that I know that my Redeemer Lives. He rose again on the third
day. He overcame and defeated death so that you and I and everyone on
this earth can live again. He did it because he loves us. Yes, he did it
because the Father asked but its so much more than that... its that he
loves us, like the Father does. He loves us so much he was willing to
submit himself to all things so that we could be comforted in our time
of need. DO NOT let his suffering be in vain. Turn to him in every
thought. If we do we are letting the atonement into our lives to help us
with our challenges and trials and it will be so much easier to turn to
him a beg forgiveness when we do something wrong.
He Lives, all glory to his name! He lives, My savior
still the same! O sweet the joy this sentence gives. I know that my
redeemer lives!
And because he lives there is
hope in the air. Can you feel it in the spring time air? Its new
beginnings. Its restored hope. Its knowing that my brother, my
grandfather and my best friend still live and will
be Resurrected someday. Its knowing that I can see them and live with
them in the next life.
This knowledge brings more peace than most people
may ever know in this life, but we know it. We know it and if we trust
in it we can have the joy in this life that he has planned for us.
I love you family. I miss you a lot but not in a
home sick way. Don't worry about me. I'll see you in a few months but
until then I'm gonna put my head down and not look up til its over. I
love you.
Love,
Sister Maren Hale
No comments:
Post a Comment