Week 41, May 16, 2016

Emailing from my iPad today!
Quite a few things happened this past week!
We were part of a city wide service project where we helped clean up
and fix a community garden. My companion and I were assigned to help
clean up a fallen tree and any debris on the ground and we were
privileged to work with missionaries serving  youth church service
missions. We don't normally interact with this missionaries so it was
really cool to meet them and learn more about what they do. Many of
them are serving service missions because they are unable to serve
full time 18-24 month missions, but they make such a difference! One
of them works in the Ogden Employment center for the church and helps
improve people's lives by helping them find good and better jobs. For
me, it was such a testament that 1) Heavenly Father knows where each
of His children are needed for their growth and others and 2) that any
service done for the kingdom of God is of great worth. They do so many
things that help my mission and other missions run smoothly and
without them, my job would be a lot harder. I loved meeting and
working with them for they are all special spirits.
Another big event for me was going to the temple this past Tuesday. We
are so blessed to have a temple within our mission, being only 20
minutes away at the furthest. Our mission president has allowed us to
go quarterly, so every 3 months, and it is such a respite for us! I
love missionary work, I love working hard, but it is nice to
occasionally rest and re-center yourself. The temple is the house of
God, and in there we can find a special and sweet spirit that
rejuvenates our souls. What a blessing to have such a connection
between heaven and earth!
Okay, okay, okay......drumroll please!
The most exciting event of this week was definitely the baptism of
Alina and Maria! Oh, I love them so much! They are both amazing women
and they are going to thrive in this ward. Their baptism went really
well and, as per the usual, was very spiritual. Hna. Wi Repa and I did
the Restoration and it was her first time doing that at a baptism and
in Spanish; she did amazing!! Many people came up and complimented her
and told how strong the Spirit was for them. She is really doing well
in opening her mouth and speaking and you can see her growth. We make
sure to keep communication open between us because I don't ever want
her to feel like I'm picking on her. Fortunately, she doesn't feel
that way so I guess I'm doing ok. =)
Honestly, there are time where I really struggle with the question of
whether I'm doing well by her or not. I know I'm not perfect, God
knows too, and I'm sad when my mistakes and shortcomings affect her
growth. I want her to succeed and be an excellent missionary, which in
many ways she already is, so I just pray that she'll grow despite my
weaknesses. I think I'm starting to understand my parents a bit
better, though I feel like I still have a long way to finally get it.
I'm just grateful that Hna. Wi Repa is very patient with me and is
quick to forgive. (Nothing major, we haven't fought, I just tend to
say sorry a lot...) But really I am so grateful for her; we work well
together and I feel like we are doing a good work in this area even if
our key indicators are a bit low currently.
It's amazing the growth you can see if you ask the Lord to show you;
He is working hard with me and I am so grateful for that. My heart has
been full recently with how grateful I am for the gospel and I marvel
at the blessing I have to have been born into the covenant. I have
amazing parents who have raised me with the fullness of the gospel,
who love me and support me, a family who are spiritual giants; how can
I be so fortunate? I know I'm at the right place at the right time,
doing the most marvelous work possible. I love being a missionary and
I love getting out there speaking with everyone. This work is amazing
and life is good!
 
I hope that you are all doing well and that you're happy. If you're
not, take a deep breath, remember who you are, and sing a happy song.
Heavenly Father is aware of you and loves you; He wants you to be
happy (2 Nephi 2:25). I love you and if you ever need a friend, just
send me an email.
Be good and remember who you are!
 
Love,
Hermana Lindh