What's up, my people?
This week marks another milestone for me; I have been out in the mission field for a year now.
The
halfway mark was really big for me, because that means less time to
work than I have already spent, but this is kinda scaring me. I have
spent a year of my life, a year of my family's life, serving the Lord.
It's been hard, it's been beautiful, and it's all been worth it. In this
past year, I have met so many of my brothers and sisters that I can't
even count! I love meeting these people and spending time with them,
helping them change their lives by applying the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I
have learned (I am learning) Spanish, a completely different language,
in a year so that I could serve my new-found family. I love the Latin
culture! I love the food (menos que mole.....yuck....), the music (yes, I
still dance around quite a bit =) it's more reserved now, and mostly at
home ), and the people. They are so friendly, they will always welcome
you into their homes and offer you food or a drink. I feel at home with
these people and I was given the chance to know them, and their culture,
by sacrificing my time and energy to learn another language.
In
a years time, I have lived with 9 different woman, who were complete
strangers before my mission, but are now some of my closest friends.
They have each taught me something really important, and a lot of little
life skills, and each has changed my life.
I have served in 3
different wards, learning and growing in leadership positions (I never
understood how organized the Church is until I served a mission;
everyone is always doing something that then needs to be reported in a
meeting.). I have seen the way different councils and groups work,
learned how to best communicate with different leaders, and how to
balance the needs of many within a short amount of time.
People
have come to me with problems, exciting news, challenges, and sometimes
even confessions even though I'm basically a complete stranger with
only 20 years of life under my belt! I have seen some of the hardest
emotional struggles and even helped make better some of those struggles.
I have seen broken people become whole and I've seen kind people become
ugly over a misconception.
This past year I have learned so
many different lessons, applied most of them, and grown a lot. I have
heard of so many miracles, been part of a few, and stood witness to
others. I have seen angels protect those I love, felt the Holy Spirit
guide me in this work, and felt the healing power of the Atonement. Only
in a mission can you see and do so many things. Only here can you be
shaped in such a powerful and lasting way. However long you're out,
whether it's a few weeks, months, or years, God uses this short amount
of time to make you a powerful warrior, if you let Him.
I only
have 6 months left! While my parents probably think that that's a long
time, I'm crying at the thought that I only get 6 months left to do what
I've been doing for a year. The time we, as missionaries, are called to
serve is so brief that it goes by in the blink of an eye. But, what we
learn and do doesn't need to end after the mission. This work will
change form as we leave the field and become "normal" members again, but
it's still the same glorious work. If we press forward and keep the
same habits we are establishing here, that is daily prayer and scripture
study and reaching out to God, we will still be a great tool for the
Lord to use to help His children reach eternal life.
I love my mission.
Now,
on a less "reminiscent" note, this week was AWESOME! Well, every week
can be, but this one was especially awesome! A dear friend of mine
returned to Utah about 1 1/2 weeks ago and she brought her son, who is
not a member. She invited us over to come and meet him and he is such an
amazing guy! He's name is Emerson and he's spent a lot of time
searching for God. We would start quoting a scripture from the Bible and
he would complete it. He understands basic gospel principles and has a
deep faith in Christ that he exercises regularly. The one hiccup he has
with being a member, with being baptized, is the Book of Mormon.
Really,
when anyone ever has a problem with doctrine, whether it be living day
prophets or the word of wisdom, the issue can be resolved with the Book
of Mormon. This is because God loves us and wants us to be happy, so He
gave us clear evidence of the restoration with the Book of Mormon. If
this book is not true, everything we stand for as members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is false! But, the flip side is
true too; if this book is true, everything we teach is true. So, we are
helping Emerson read the Book of Mormon daily and we're inviting him to
pray every day so that he can know if it's true. The only way he'll know
is by the Spirit, which is God's way of answering our prayers.
I
know Emerson is going to receive his answer if he asks in faith and
acts on the answer. He's really ready to accept the fullness of the
gospel of Jesus Christ, which is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. He's ready and I love this kid; I can't wait to see
where his journey leads.
This week was also pretty awesome
because we had Zone Conference; all of the missionaries serving in
Spanish in my mission got together to be trained and strengthened. It
was amazing what we learned and I've been able to see the blessings
already. I know, without a doubt, obedience brings happiness. It was
also really good to see my friends and to be with them for a time. We
have the blessing of being in a small mission which means we actually
see other missionaries quite frequently, and I know that that's part of
why I was called here. I need this love and friendship, this closeness
with my family, so it was another moment of testimony building for me;
God knows me and loves me!
All is good here in
Ogden! I love being a missionary, I'm getting a bit more tan (that's a
nice plus in the Spanish program, I'm not the whitest anymore!), and the
work keeps moving on.
I love you all and I'm so grateful for
the support you have given me so far; it means a lot to me. Remember
who you are and have a great week!
Love,
Hermana Lindh
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