#PlotTwist
I
absolutely love my companions! We work really well together, we all
enjoy similar types of humor, and we just enjoy each other's company. We
have learned how to teach together, which is a miracle in of itself
since we're in a trio, and we were starting to move forward! That means
of course that it's time for change. Yesterday, Easter Sunday, we
received a text from President Jaggi that stated that Hna. Woodhouse and
Hna. Kang are being transferred. He didn't know where yesterday, but he
does know that they'll stay together, which is a blessing for them. I
will be getting a new companion; her name is Hna. Silvestre and she is
coming in from the Dominican Republic. She was supposed to come into our
mission about 4 transfers ago, which is roughly 6 months, but she has
had to wait for her visa. As such, she has been serving over there for a
while.
I will be "training" her as in
I'll be teaching her how this mission functions and how this area works.
She is already trained, and a native Spanish speaker, so I'm really
excited to learn from her. I'm hoping that I am able to help her feel
comfortable here and that she'll be able to adjust to Ogden Mission
life. My companions and I will learn where they are going tonight and
then they will go there tomorrow evening.
As
I'm sure you can guess, there have been more than a few tears. Our
first week together was a bit rough and since then we have become so
much better. I was so excited to continue serving with them! But, while
we should enjoy our time here and our companions, it's important to
continue growing which doesn't always happen when you're comfortable.
Plateaus are a nice break, but climbing mountains is what will make you
stronger and bring you higher. (See youth song "Give Me Mountains to
Climb")
Ok,
so that was the major news. Other than that, this past week has been
pretty great. We have been planning a fireside about member missionary
work because we feel like although the members like us and trust us,
they just aren't as excited about the work as we are. I love being a
missionary! It is one of the greatest things I have ever done. Since
I've been out here, I have seen what the Atonement can do (I already
knew that, but it's a lot more "real" here). I have watched people quit a
multiple year drinking addiction or smoking, I have seen basic
personalities change, I have seen people who swore they would never
believe in God come to church.
There is
beauty and joy in everything, even if it's hard to see. I have been a
marriage counselor as I shared my testimony and knowledge of eternal
marriage. I watched how a man started treating his wife better and she
flourished because they applied the Atonement. I have been a therapeutic
counselor, comforting those who have mourned over their past sins and
transgressions. I have been asked some of the hardest questions, such as
"how can I believe in a God when all I see is misery?" and other
questions that can only be answered through the gospel of Christ. All in
all, while these situations are hard, even though they are heart
breaking, I can see the joy and hope Christ brings.
Our
goal with this fireside is to help the members see this joy, these
blessings that their brothers and sisters desperately need and that
members have. I hope that they are able to change their viewpoint enough
to see what we, as missionaries, see. My life has forever been altered
because I came out here. I now can see deeper and feel more because I
have asked Heavenly Father for the help to do so. He wants all of us to
be joyful and He has made it possible.
Happy
Easter! by the way =D Yesterday we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. It was a glorious day and my favorite part was singing songs of
praise during sacrament meeting. The sacrament meeting is the most
important part of our week because it is during this time that we
partake of the sacrament. We can be completely clean, as if we were
baptized again, each week as we partake of the bread and water. We
remember the promises we have made to Heavenly Father and we ask for the
strength to do better this week. Hallelujah is the only apt word to
describe my joy.
I hope you all had a
blessed Easter and that you were able to spend time reflecting on Christ
and everything He is and do for us.
I love you all! Be good and have a great week!
Love,
Hermana Lindh
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