Let no one shirk!

Another week of wonderful in the promised land!  Well, the word 'wonderful' as used here has many facets.  Wonderful as in a lot of biking, a LOT of heat, a lot of bugs, a lot of Gatorade, a lot of people, a lot of stress, a lot of prayers, a lot of smiles, a lot of joy, and a lot of miracles.  I would call that a successful and somewhat typical week of a missionary. :)

You may have noticed that I titled this letter using a line from a hymn.  Years ago, when I was doing a point for Personal Progress, I was trying to memorize all of the verses for some hymns in the hymnbook.  I wasn't quite sure what ones to choose.  I asked Nonnie what her favorite hymn was, to which she replied, "Put your Shoulder to the Wheel!"  And so I memorized it.  On Sunday, our gospel principles teacher mentioned the hymn and I was reminded of the confusion that I have always had about it!  Why would anyone, bouncing along the prairie next to their handcart, lean over and put their shoulder to the wheel?! I imagine that my dress would get worn through from the friction, I would get all dirty, and it would probably hurt.  Maybe I would even trip and fall and get run over by the said wheel! But I have been thinking about it, and now I think I get what it is trying to say. The only time anyone would need to put their shoulder to the wheel would be when it isn't moving.  If a handcart/wagon isn't moving, it is probably stuck.  And when I picture pioneers getting stuck, I picture it in the pouring rain - caught in the mud with nowhere else to go.  When the pioneers got stuck in the mud, I bet they tried everything they could.  They pulled and they pulled and they pushed and they pushed..... to no avail.  The wheels are huge.  The wheels were dirty and muddy and in the middle of the pit - but they were the only way to get out.  So someone had to take a deep breath, grit their teeth, jump right into the thick of things, and lower their shoulder to the wheel.  It wasn't the fun job, but it was the necessary job.  It was what got things done.  I reread the hymn this morning and was moved by the force behind the words: "The world has need of helping hands and hearts that know and feel - the work to do is here for you; put your shoulder to the wheel! Put your shoulder to the wheel, push along.  Do your duty with a heart full of song.  We all have work, let no one shirk.  Put your shoulder to the wheel!"  I get it now, Nonnie.  And it is one of my favorites too. :)

This week we have had to do a lot of "shouldering the wheel."  We are desperately trying to find people to teach and help receive the gospel.  We are doing our best to be obedient, improve as teachers/contacters, work through the members, and talk to everyone!  I know that as we continue to try and do our duty with hearts full of song, we will be blessed with people to teach.  It is kind of exciting to take a deep breath, grit our teeth, jump into the thick of things, and lower our shoulder to the wheel. :)

Yesterday was awesome.  It did not start awesome.  Haha we had been feeling just like the great Book of Mormon prophets - really weighed down with the sins of the world.  It definitely reared its ugly head this week.  Satan is working hard, and is deceiving a lot of people.  He is telling them that things are more important than God, and he is convincing them to eat, drink, and be merry.  It is hard to see people sell their birthrights for a mess of pottage and miss out on all of the blessings that Christ has given us for the taking.  It really was depressing, and yesterday we were nearing the ends of our ropes.  I have been reading in Alma lately and I remembered that he passed through some of the same things.  I read his prayer in the Book of Mormon and noticed how he asked for his soul to be comforted in Christ.  I had the same prayer in my heart in the afternoon, and my day changed completely.  I found new energy and happiness.  The Spirit was strong and deep in the lessons we taught.  We were able to be part of a great lesson with some friends of a member family.  It was the best night ever.  Heavenly Father is the best listener ever.  Prayer is a balm that heals heavy, saddened, lonely, or guilty hearts.  I love applying that principle that I learned lately and seeing it work.

A few weeks ago, we felt impressed to go visit the Baerga family in our ward.  We didn't really know them well, but we set an appointment and went to visit.  Sister Baerga told us about a friend she had named M. from work who she had considered sharing the gospel with.  We did a follow-up visit last week, and she told us that she was going to invite M. with her parents from Puerto Rico to a dinner Sunday night, and invited us too.  Yesterday we went, and it  was the best.  They all felt the Spirit really strong during our little thought, and were asking about the Church websites and stuff.  We are following up with the Baerga's today - please pray that M. and her family will become new investigators!  We think they will. :)  After the lesson, we drove home with Brother Baerga and his mother-in-law.  He thanked us for coming, and emotionally said that we reminded him of the missionary who baptized him.  I thought that was the biggest compliment ever.  I was very grateful for him for sharing that with us.


I love being a missionary. :)  Life is so good!  Oh! Me and Sister Hansen are staying together in Lake Nona for another 6 weeks.  I couldn't be more excited!  The work to do is here for you - put your shoulder to the wheel!! :)

Expect your letters this week! :)

I love you all so much,

Sister Allred