Week 52 September 15, 2015

First and foremost, we are back from the dead! Hallelujah!

So... this week. Well. It was crazy stressful. But, I survived!

We had the "carnival of life" activity that we planned and organized all by ourselves so we were super busy getting things for that ready all week. Somehow it all pulled together in the last minute. Not a lot of people came but the ones that did really enjoyed it! Sara and Martin came. Martin got sent to the telestial kingdom...but was a good sport about it and we got some good laughs over that. All in all I think it was a success but I was sure relieved when that was over.

The biggest miracle of the week is that JESUS IS GETTING BAPTIZED NEXT SATURDAY! I am so filled with joy. I love that man. He has really made some changes and seen the hand of God in his life and all the blessings that he has been receiving since that day when we contacted him just 3 months ago. We had an awesome lesson about repentance with him last week and a really fun family home evening with him last night. Even though things have been stressful and discouraging lately, we still have Jesus! Whenever we see him my spirits are lifted and I am reminded of why I love this work so much.

Last night our district leader and zone leaders came over to give us some encouragement and help. We explained our frustrations and difficulties (lets just say the branch is on the verge of dissolving) and they offered a lot of comfort and reassurance. Elder Thomas shared Doctrine and Covenants 123:16 which says:

16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

He just compared that to our calling as missionaries and that it is to be the "helm." We keep things afloat. We aren't called to be the sailor that guides or the wind that moves things forward. That is Heavenly Father's job. We are a necessary part but we can't worry about the things that we can't control.

I don't know if that makes sense. It was a lot more fluid when he said it but I just really loved that analogy and know that the Lord is aware of my efforts and of the situation and hand. I have to remember that He called me to serve in this branch with these people and in this time and that He trusts me and wouldn't send me here to fail. I am often reminded of how hard this work is and how I cannot possibly do it alone! I guess I just love these people so much and desire to see extreme improvement and change in my time here. The task and hand is much bigger than me and deeply rooted. However I know that together with the Savior I can be an effective tool in His hands and fulfill His work and purpose for me here.

I have sure been learning a lot. Last week I was studying joy and I found this definition in The Guide To The Scriptures that I LOVE:

Joy

See also obedient, obedience, obey
A condition of great happiness coming from righteous living. The purpose of mortal life is for all people to have joy. A full joy will come only through Jesus Christ.
Isn't that awesome?! And it is so true. I really have gained a testimony that obedience yields joy.
Hope yall have a great week! Go get yourself some joy! :)
Les quiero!
Hermana Dearden