So missionary work is fun and hard at the same time!! There are two things that are the hardest for me. The first is that missionaries never rest. Even when we aren't doing big missionary things, we are being watched for our time all of the time, either by members, investigators, people in general, or just the Lord. We can never, ever let our guard down and always need to remember Whose name we wear. That is awesome, but also very tiring. Haha and yes, mom, you can make fun of me for this, but the hardest thing for me is getting up. Every single morning I wake up and think I can't do it anymore because I am so tired. I tell myself, "16 more hours before I can sleep again...." Haha that is horrible, but don't worry, it fades throughout the day and I am always surprised when it is evening again. Basically, I am becoming a runner. Haha not really, but we run on treadmills at the gym in our complex and I almost like it. haha I like it enough to do it at least.
So this week, some great and not-so-great things occurred. Mom, you were right about the diversity down here. I don't know if I mentioned this in my last email, but I have talked to people from Thailand, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Mexico, China, Brazil, Italy, Africa, Germany, and India (I am pretty sure India at least.... we run into Hindus all the time). It is so interesting to see all of that here, and a lot of fun too. We have been tracting a lot because we don't have any investigators really. It can be really fun because I like talking to people and I think Orlando is beautiful, but it really hurts my feelings when people are mean. I understand that not everyone wants to hear our message or talk to us, but it really bothers me when people are just rude. I will have to get better at not letting that get me down.
Funny story! We were tracting and saw a police car cruising around, then he saw us and used his big megaphone thing to call us over. Haha someone in the neighborhood had called the cops because there were burglaries lately. It was hysterical. The cop was practically embarrassed to even have to check us, because we were two young girls in skirts. Haha he basically told us we would receive blessings for what we were doing while he was running our profiles. Good ole' Americans, always calling the cops. Haha that's what happens in these nicer neighborhoods. The Elders here are totally jealous that we get to tell that story to everyone. Also, we ran into a mail lady who said, "They have girl mormons now?!" And told all her mailman friends. Haha I laughed at that.
We have been trying to be more inspired in our tracting. We try to choose streets that are inspired, and it pays off! On one street, an 18-year-old answered the door. His name was John, and when we asked if we could pray with him, he said that he had been praying to get closer to God. We told him that our message was the answer to his prayers, and taught him the first lesson on his doorstep. He agreed to meet with us again and read the Book of Mormon, but it was a bummer kind of because we had to refer him to the YSA missionaries. But it doesn't really matter, as long as he hears the message!
We actually got to teach a few lessons this week. We taught one to a man named Frankie, who was found by the Spanish Elders. It was such a good experience to talk to someone about the Restoration and feel my testimony be strengthened. He is a super cool guy who knows God is involved in his life. I hope that he gets baptized, but I am not sure if he will meet with us again (I basically hope everyone will get baptized....) :)
You know, the work is hard. I am trying very hard to not compare myself and be a consecrated missionary. I like walking in the humid heat, and even being rejected sometimes, because that is what happens when you are a disciple of Christ. I walk with Peter and the Apostles, Joseph Smith and the Pioneers, and Christ himself when I am rejected for His sake. How exciting that we all get to be disciples together.
I am trying to love, learn, grow, and be patient with myself. I was reading this morning in first Nephi 17, where he builds a ship. What stood out to me about this story was that when he was commanded to build this ship, he didn't snap his fingers and have a ship ready. He mad fire, he found ore, he made tools, he asked for help, and over time he built the ship. That helps me as a missionary, because sometimes I get discouraged because I am not the perfect missionary. Then I remember that it takes time; that I need to make tools and use them so that I can build myself into the person I need to be. I try to make a little goal every day that makes me better, whether it's not resting when I'm not supposed to or focusing more in study or praying for more focus. This week, I challenge you to pick one little thing and work on it every day. We will build ourselves into who we need to be!
I love you all so much. Have fun at Bear Lake!! :) Have the best week ever. :)
All my love, Hermana Kara Allred
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