Hello Wonderful Humans!
I'm so excited to get to write you today! Seriously, I cannot tell you all how much I love you, and because this e-mailing thing happens on a timed clock, I think this will have to suffice for now as I've got a lot of you to send individual e-mails to as well.
Last Monday after e-mail time Sister Brown wanted to go out, because she doesn't do hand written letters (at least not in the overhaul write everyone you possibly could way that I tend to do). So we went to Kohls. This is going to sound so small and stupid, but it was actually pretty awesome. So I got the world's greatest liquid eye liner pen in a mascara sample box over a year and a half ago. Well it officially was over being used about a month ago and I didn't know how I was going to go about replacing it. So while we were at Kohls, they actually had Lorac (the brand of makeup) and I was able to get one. Which was really super exciting. I know, it sounds stupid, but really, it kind of made my day.
Tuesday was the kind of day that started out rough once we got out to work, but then it got better. I finally decided this week that if my companion doesn't want to wake up on time for us to go out and exercise that there's really nothing stopping me from running around our apartment. I have to admit, there are some of the repeated turns that make me a little dizzy, but the endorphin's are worth it. Tuesday ended up being more than okay and it was a reminder to me that I need to have greater faith in the Lord and what he wants for His children. The reality is that this is His work, and we are honestly just here to accomplish what he has planned. As we listen to the spirit, we will inevitably be where we are supposed to be, when we are supposed to be there.
Wednesday we had Zone Training Meeting. It was probably my favorite Zone Training Meeting so far. One of my favorite things that we talked about as a Zone was becoming Full Purpose Missionaries (for those of you who don't know, the official missionary purpose is-to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End.) The concept was that we need to work with all possible people in helping them take those steps, whether they be investigators, new members, less active members, or active members. I felt such a connection to this idea, because it seems to fit perfectly along with my plan to be a missionary who is just going to love everyone. The other awesome thing about Zone Training Meeting is that we found out that we're getting iPads. And not just in the hypothetical, "someday our mission is going to have iPads" way. We have our training on them May 22 and should be getting them the week afterish. Woot woot! Wednesday we were also able to go over to Judy's and rake some of the leaves out of her flower beds. I was so glad that Judy had finally agreed to let us do some service for her. Her knee surgery is coming up in two weeks and she's getting pretty nervous. It was nice to be able to take care of something for her that was causing her even just a little stress. When we taught Judy, Sister Brown felt prompted to follow the commitment that we had made in Zone Training Meeting to invite everyone to be baptized. The spirit in the room was so strong as she quietly asked Judy if after her surgeries she would consider being baptized. Judy said that she would. I was so grateful to get to watch that beautiful moment unfold and then to be able to testify of it as well.
Thursday was a tricky sort of day in the land of training. I finally resolved to "throw Sister Brown under the bus" as it were and make her teach part of the lesson, despite the fact that teaching really freaks her out. I felt horrible, but I knew that being able to contribute and teach during lessons is an essential part of how we accomplish our purpose. We aren't missionaries to teach, but if we don't teach we can't invite and help. For having been out for only three weeks, she did really well, but she felt really disappointed with herself. I tried to help her reason through things, but as that didn't work I eventually recommended that when we get home she could pray and ask Heavenly Father how he felt about her efforts, because ultimately it's his opinion that matters most. I was really grateful for everything I had been taught growing up about how we can choose how we react to any situation and how we can choose how we think about all situations. I think having been taught that has given me a greater safety and security.
Friday was the busiest of days this week. Shout out to my Melanie and Skyler who both graduated Friday! I totally had a moment of silence (not in a depressing way) where I thought about each of you and how proud I am. I was there in spirit, I promise. We had weekly planning, some lessons, and then we had First Friday on Sandusky (Main Street in Delaware). It was a lot of fun, and I'm really excited for us to get something more than a card table with crayons and a coloring page pulled together. Despite the "finished touch-ness" that I would have preferred our table to have, it was really cool to be there. We bumped into a woman who Sister Hibbert and I had met during one of my first weeks in Delaware and were able to get her address so we could go and see her family. More than anything I think it was good for both of us to have a chance to just open our mouths and talk to people. Since our table next month is hopefully going to be on Family History, we had Family Tree Coloring Pages that I drew and then we talked to people about family history. I'm officially grateful to be related to Captain Dan, Revolutionary Privateer, because he was a great individual to bring up as I shared with my peers about how cool family history can be.
Not to be outdone, Saturday was also busy, and was actually hot. It was almost weird to feel warm, because just last week I had gone back to wearing sweaters it had gotten so cold. We were able to finish up Judy's leaves and teach some pretty great lessons. Our final lesson on Saturday night was disappointing because Dan shared that he really hasn't ever felt the spirit, not even when we have been over at their house as the missionaries. I'm just not sure how we can help him next. He was supposed to fast and come to church with us Sunday, but didn't make it, so I'm not sure if he fasted or not. Agency is easily the most wonderful and most miserable part of being a missionary. I feel such joy when I see the people that we interact with making those choices that are going to bring them closer to Christ and help their lives be better, and I feel such sorrow when they don't. I'm officially starting to understand the Book of Mormon Prophets who so frequently lament the way the people in their strewardship are using their agency. I'm totally there.
Sunday was pretty awesome. It was a day for growth and lots of self control, as we were still fasting when we went to Emilie's Birthday Fiesta. Her family had made food that smelled SOOO good and it was so hard not to eat anything and just call it quits on fasting, but since we had decided as a mission to do a twenty-four hour fast, we resisted. If you ever want to test your resolve and commitment to those things that you're fasting for, go to a fiesta (don't, it's SUPER hard). We were able to show a less active family Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration and talk about how God answers our prayers. Their son is autistic and his favorite part of the movie was when Jesus came to the temple. I love the tender way the spirit interacts with those bewildering but purest of spirits. We ended our Sunday evening with our sweet Judy and were able to testify that light will always displace darkness.
I have been so blessed as a Child of God this week! And I love you all so much. Know that you're in my prayers and my thoughts.
The Church is True, Life is Good, God's in Charge, and Satan hates you.
Love,
Jessica
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