Happy Monday! It looks like it was a super fun week, I had so many pictures to look at in my inbox today! Everyone looks beautiful and wonderful and I'm so excited for all the fun things happening. I got a letter from Aaron today in the mail and I will consider that a miracle.
I've been still sick this week, trying to fight this sinus infection, but never quite getting enough time to rest. It's not horrible just pretty painful and inconvenient. Also one of our relief society presidents kept momming me throughout the week, and doing an unwise mom-habit which is still hugging people when they're sick. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the science behind why mom's never get sick has to do with them being the moms of their children and since my RS mom is not my genetic mom, she caught the sickness and I feel so bad for her! She came to church pinching the top of her nose like I have been for the past week and I was so sad that I gave it to her.
Sister Campbell and I are having such a blast in Holbrook. This week we found a beetle and put it underneath a cup and left it for someone else to deal with (aka no one). And then we came back and the beetle was GONE! This morning on my way to shower I saw the same beetle again and I said "NOT THIS TIME, BUDDY." and put a study glass cup over him and now he will remain there until we get back from Farmington and have the courage to deal with that whole gross bug situation. Last time we just let the centipede rot under there until he was dry and crumbly and then we threw him away.
This week one miracle was a small learning experience about listening to the spirit. Me and Sister Campbell were walking on the sidewalk in a slightly more questionable part of town. There was a group of men standing by their car, a couple of them had cans in hand. We were on their side of the street and we came to a four way stop. We both looked at each other and silently agreed to cross so that we wouldn't cross paths with these men. I felt bad, because I know we're supposed to talk to absolutely every human being breathing and living, but I also didn't feel comfortable. So we took a different route. I didn't think much of it.
Just ten minutes or so later we passed by a house where we had previously taught a sweet little old Hispanic lady. There was a man on the porch drinking a beer, and evidently other men inside the house. We walked right up and started talking to the man on the porch. People started popping out of the front door and soon we were surrounded with at least seven or eight men of a rougher looking crowd. Some of them had cans of beer, others were lighting cigarettes. The man on the porch didn't seem interested, but someone approached Sister Campbell and told us how young we looked, asked how old we were. "Aren't you girls scared going out like this?" One man named Jesse walked up to where I was standing and began telling me all about his ex and how she used to be a Mormon. He was lighting a cigarette and had tattoos along his hands, arms, and neck. He told me about their failing relationship and his addictions, and how he really is ready to give his all to God. "I'm actually really glad that you guys walked by." He said he wants us to help his ex girlfriend, and that he's ready to listen to whatever we have to share. I testified of the healing that comes from the Atonement of Christ. I gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon while Sister Campbell gave another copy to the man she was talking to. As we walked away we both pondered the first man's question. "Aren't you girls scared going out like this?"
We talked about the feeling we got when approaching the first group of men, the feeling that we needed to walk across the street. We also talked about the unnoticed fearlessness we had approaching the whole house full of the same looking crowd. We talked about the man Sister Campbell contacted: humble, quiet, asking about the church, and the Book of Mormon. And the one I contacted: open, spilling his guts out, looking for someone to vent to, and ready to open his heart to whoever God sends to teach him. We learned two things: 1) The spirit is guiding us even when we don't realize it ourselves. Why else could we not feel scared around a group of men like that? That's the difference between the first and second group. One we didn't approach, one we did. The outward appearance showed little difference between the two groups of men. But God sees their hearts. And He guides out footsteps. 2) God matches us with who He knows we can touch. I could not have contacted the man that Sister Campbell talked to- not in the same way. She's good with the facts, the explanations, she feels more comfortable with people who are timid and uncomfortable. His timid nature made her comfortable. Jesse's soul-bearing made me feel comfortable. Whereas Sister Campbell would not have responded the same to someone talking so openly to her. God knows who will connect.
I know that God put us in their path. If only to teach me that small lesson on the way that the spirit works, and how to recognize how God uses our different strengths to reach different people.
Theres a picture of my totally adorable companion and some medication that got me through the week. I've been still sick this week, trying to fight this sinus infection, but never quite getting enough time to rest. It's not horrible just pretty painful and inconvenient. Also one of our relief society presidents kept momming me throughout the week, and doing an unwise mom-habit which is still hugging people when they're sick. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the science behind why mom's never get sick has to do with them being the moms of their children and since my RS mom is not my genetic mom, she caught the sickness and I feel so bad for her! She came to church pinching the top of her nose like I have been for the past week and I was so sad that I gave it to her.
Sister Campbell and I are having such a blast in Holbrook. This week we found a beetle and put it underneath a cup and left it for someone else to deal with (aka no one). And then we came back and the beetle was GONE! This morning on my way to shower I saw the same beetle again and I said "NOT THIS TIME, BUDDY." and put a study glass cup over him and now he will remain there until we get back from Farmington and have the courage to deal with that whole gross bug situation. Last time we just let the centipede rot under there until he was dry and crumbly and then we threw him away.
This week one miracle was a small learning experience about listening to the spirit. Me and Sister Campbell were walking on the sidewalk in a slightly more questionable part of town. There was a group of men standing by their car, a couple of them had cans in hand. We were on their side of the street and we came to a four way stop. We both looked at each other and silently agreed to cross so that we wouldn't cross paths with these men. I felt bad, because I know we're supposed to talk to absolutely every human being breathing and living, but I also didn't feel comfortable. So we took a different route. I didn't think much of it.
Just ten minutes or so later we passed by a house where we had previously taught a sweet little old Hispanic lady. There was a man on the porch drinking a beer, and evidently other men inside the house. We walked right up and started talking to the man on the porch. People started popping out of the front door and soon we were surrounded with at least seven or eight men of a rougher looking crowd. Some of them had cans of beer, others were lighting cigarettes. The man on the porch didn't seem interested, but someone approached Sister Campbell and told us how young we looked, asked how old we were. "Aren't you girls scared going out like this?" One man named Jesse walked up to where I was standing and began telling me all about his ex and how she used to be a Mormon. He was lighting a cigarette and had tattoos along his hands, arms, and neck. He told me about their failing relationship and his addictions, and how he really is ready to give his all to God. "I'm actually really glad that you guys walked by." He said he wants us to help his ex girlfriend, and that he's ready to listen to whatever we have to share. I testified of the healing that comes from the Atonement of Christ. I gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon while Sister Campbell gave another copy to the man she was talking to. As we walked away we both pondered the first man's question. "Aren't you girls scared going out like this?"
We talked about the feeling we got when approaching the first group of men, the feeling that we needed to walk across the street. We also talked about the unnoticed fearlessness we had approaching the whole house full of the same looking crowd. We talked about the man Sister Campbell contacted: humble, quiet, asking about the church, and the Book of Mormon. And the one I contacted: open, spilling his guts out, looking for someone to vent to, and ready to open his heart to whoever God sends to teach him. We learned two things: 1) The spirit is guiding us even when we don't realize it ourselves. Why else could we not feel scared around a group of men like that? That's the difference between the first and second group. One we didn't approach, one we did. The outward appearance showed little difference between the two groups of men. But God sees their hearts. And He guides out footsteps. 2) God matches us with who He knows we can touch. I could not have contacted the man that Sister Campbell talked to- not in the same way. She's good with the facts, the explanations, she feels more comfortable with people who are timid and uncomfortable. His timid nature made her comfortable. Jesse's soul-bearing made me feel comfortable. Whereas Sister Campbell would not have responded the same to someone talking so openly to her. God knows who will connect.
I know that God put us in their path. If only to teach me that small lesson on the way that the spirit works, and how to recognize how God uses our different strengths to reach different people.
The car is packed and we're off to Farmington after I send this email, wish us safe travels! I love you all mucho grande, hope you enjoy the letters I sent off last Monday. Pinchy pinch between your toes.
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