Happy last week of July!! It has truly been a happy and busy week for us here - one of the best of my mission! We have a lot to do. More importantly, we have a lot of IMPORTANT and PRODUCTIVE things to do! Once a sister here in the mission taught me that there is a difference between being busy and being productive. Isn't that the truth? But anyway, it was great. We have kept teaching all of our friends and most of them are doing awesome. J is taking great strides towards being ready for his baptism. Many of our other friends are doing hard but great things that are making them so much happier!! It has really made me happy about my calling as a missionary. Let's talk about it!
There is this part in Preach my Gospel that talks about success. There is a power line in there that says something along the lines of, "When you give it your all, you will still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself." We have really felt that this week in the work. As we have given it our all, we have been disappointed by poor decisions by people we love. That sadness is real and it does hurt to see people you care about do things that will make them unhappy in the long run. But that sadness doesn't hit to the core when you know you have done everything you can. It is backed up by a deep sense of peace because you know you are trying to do what the Savior would have done. If somewhere along the line in teaching them you were late and missed an appointment, weren't bold enough in extending a commitment, or didn't do good follow-up, you miss that sense of peace that comes. I am glad to have been repenting and learning how to always feel that peace.
Have I mentioned that me and Sister Hansen have been learning a lot about repenting lately? It is the best thing ever! We are trying to constantly evaluate what we are doing and tweak things to be a little better. It is very exciting to see ourselves grow and to see how people respond differently. It is so fun to add new strengths to the Lord's storehouse that He can reach in and pull out whenever He needs them. Missions are just the greatest.
I have enjoyed following your summer, from EFY to river rafting to Heritage Tours. Hope everyone has been having fun, being safe, and most of all feeling the Spirit a ton!! I love the Church and there really is so much safety in the Youth programs. Keep up the good work everyone!
We went to visit a member referral yesterday who wasn't at home. We saw the member who gave us the referral walking her dog outside. We came up to her and she immediately directed us to the home of a neighbor of hers with cancer. We scurried on over to knock on the door, and the family welcomed us in without batting an eye! It was great - we offered a prayer and talked about Christ and the priesthood and the Book of Mormon and even watched Because of Him with them. It was cool to see this miracle and it was fun to go back to the member, report, and see her be excited about it. The work is hastening, you know?!
This week we also started teaching two sons of a recent convert in the ward. They both are not Christians. Their dad passed away last summer. It is a new challenge and blessing to help them gain a testimony of their loving Father in Heaven. The gospel really is a message of love and joy - gladness for the dead and the living. These boys may not have a father that they can see right now, but they have a Father that they can feel forever. We really hope that that hits home for them and can help them have new comfort in their lives. Their names are B and L - L is young men aged and B is in his 20's. Please pray for their hearts to be touched by the Spirit so they can know the Church is true.
Haha it is just a happy, good time to be a missionary. I love it a ton. How cool is it that our sole purpose is to help other people be happy? I love doing what Jesus would do, or trying to at least! Let me play out a contact for you (this is to show how awesome being a missionary is).
Missionary: "Hey, can we help you with that? We have four hands!"
Person: "Well..... ok, sure."
*wash car together*
*laugh, talk, get to know them, break the ice*
Missionary: "Well, we are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We go around doing what we think Jesus would do, which is why we do service for people. But you know, the greatest service we can give is teaching you about the great message that we have that helps people overcome challenges and grow closer to their family..."
And so it continues. I really like it when that happens. I love doing service like washing people's cars. But what I love more is doing service for them that will help them be with their families for eternity. It is cool when the two collide and you just laugh and serve and love together. I often am edified and rejoice together with the people we talk to. When I am trying really hard to be full of charity, it comes. And that is really fulfilling.
I am really, really far from being the perfect missionary. There are a lot of things that I do and there are a lot of things that I don't do that need to be fixed before I can perfectly help people to come to Christ. But I have learned to be ok with not being perfect. That doesn't mean I stop trying to be - but it does mean that I can be happier along the way. :) I do know that someday, in a very long time, if I keep on doing my best, I will become a perfect teacher, a perfect friend, a perfect missionary. But for now, the Lord is happy to use His imperfect children to keep the stone rolling. And we are happy that He lets us be a part of it! Life is just full of so much good stuff, you know? I love it and I love you all - a lot!!!
Have a very happy and fulfilling week!
A ton of love, Sister Allred (but you can call me Sister Aye-red if you want)
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