On this week's episode of Sister Cale in Columbus-the sisters (unknowingly) boarded an emotional roller coaster for a week of ups and downs, District Meeting on Tuesday was fantastic, the Sisters went to lunch at Piada (Italian chipotle) with the Reynoldsburg Sisters before the World Wide Missionary Broadcast, the ward took more than good care of the sisters, Sister Cale made brownies, Sister Clark worked on a Darth Vader puzzle that may or may not be taking over the table, Sister Cale celebrated her one year anniversary for coming to Ohio, there were investigators who really just did not get it, and many who did. Hi Peeps! It's kind of funny, if you asked me how last week went, my immediate response would probably be that it was rather weird and in many instances kind of hard and not necessarily one of the best weeks of my mission. It's funny because the longer I think about last week the more I think about all the tender mercies that came our direction and slowly I find myself feeling an incredible amount of gratitude for the way the week went, especially because it wasn't easy. I think if I were going to sum up last week's big lesson it would be that perspective is pretty much everything. Of course, that within itself is pretty funny because I feel like growing up as Mom's daughter I have been taught a ton about the power of perspective and the lens through which we choose to view the world, to say nothing about what I've learned about positivity and overall happiness from my psychology classes. So let's talk about the miracles and tender mercies that happened this week, because I seem to be remembering the struggle moments all on my own and probably don't need to give them further attention by writing about them. One of the first tender mercy moments came this week when we went to the Lynch's to talk about how we can help Brother Lynch and the young men in the ward. We've reached out to all the auxiliary and quorum presidents and have been meeting with them in order to make sure that we are being the best resource to the ward that we can be. First of all, I just love the Lynch family. There is so much love in their home and I love every minute that we get to spend there. I have been working on making some decisions and had felt that I should ask for a priesthood blessing last weekend. Now it's kind of dumb, but it's way harder for me to ask for blessings from priesthood holders who aren't my Dad. I know that the priesthood is the same and I know that the blessing really is from God and not my dad, but for whatever reason (probably pride?) it is harder for me to reach out and admit that I am in need of heavenly help when my dad isn't the one I'm asking. As we reviewed our schedule on Monday night and talked about what we were going to go over with Brother Lynch I felt that I should ask him to give me the blessing, knowing somehow that he would be able to understand where I was coming from and what I was in search of. Of course the spirit was right and I was able to receive a blessing that has been my lifeline throughout this week and will continue to strengthen me as I continue to seek out my answer. I knew that he had said exactly what God wanted for me to hear at this time. It was exactly what I needed. Another major tender mercy was the fantastic reminders we were given at the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast. I think we had all wondered if they were going to make some big annoucement or change some sort of policy (because why else would you get ALL the missionaries in the world together?) but instead it was a fantastic reminder of the Doctrine of Christ. I think one of the cool overarching themes that is applicable to regular human life and missionary life is that we have been given all the tools that we need to be successful in this life. The gospel of Jesus Christ isn't complicated. We know what we need to know in order to be able to get home. Just like President Uchtdorf said at General Conference in October, we need to simplify. Part two for shout out to the Lynch family was dinner on Thursday. The family that had signed up to feed us was unable to feed us so Sister Lynch stepped in and was just utterly fantastic. We had Hawaiian Haystacks (for the win) and mint brownies (I'll have to make them for you when I get home dad, you'll love them). Of course the Lynch's weren't the only family to lift us up and love us this week-this ward truly does everything that they can to assist us in the work. We did learn never to schedule a lesson that requires a third female on the night of Mutual, Scouts, and Activity Days though. Even then Sister Lewis was able to come with us to have a quick lesson with Willie. It was fantastic. I really have this love hate relationship with the fact that transfers are next week because I hate the idea of leaving this ward but I know without a doubt that whatever happens with transfers is right. Other tiny miracles in my eyes this week include-mom sending hand warmers, the George family making it to church on Sunday, one of the priests finishing The Book of Mormon challenge that we gave back in January (he got brownies in front of all the other young men), safety while driving to Galloway in the snow, the fact that the major snow storm did not come in our direction after all, and the way my testimony was strengthened each chance I had to share it. This week was a good week. In fact, it was probably a great week. I'm grateful for the way perspective can change something that initially looks a little dismal and grim into something full of sunshine and light. The church is true, life is good, God's in charge, and Satan hates you. Love, Jessica
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The Week that Pretended to Be Bad
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
The Week where it Snowed
On this week's episode of Sister Cale in Columbus-the sisters went on
exchanges (they were fine), Sister Cale gave a training in district
meeting on teaching people and not lessons (helpful hint-it all starts
with being yourself), comfort food was placed in Sister Cale's path in
the form of an apple pie caramel apple and vitamin water, the sisters
discovered the TRUE need for thermals (how about that negative
windchill eh?), there was art journaling with investigators, adorable
tiny humans, and the warmth of the gospel.
Hey Humans!
So I had forgotten that when you knock on people's doors when it's
cold outside that they are significantly less receptive than they are
when it's summer. With summer at it's extreme heat people tend to be a
little frustrated because it's letting the cool air out of their
houses, but that is nothing compared to the bewilderment and quick
dismissal of winter. I cannot count how many people asked us, "Why are
you outside right now?" I'm sure at some point someone will respond
well to the answer we give, "our message is that important" but it
hasn't happened just yet. I have rediscovered the need for gloves, a
hat, a scarf (and not just because it's cute).
An interesting phenomenon has been occurring. Contrary to the quick
dismissal of those who don't know us yet and don't want to let all the
heat out of their houses, less active members of the ward seem to
invite us in all the more readily in the winter. It's a nice change of
pace. I love the people in this ward. They all have such wonderful
stories and their life experiences truly are so unique. I'm grateful
for the kindness in their hearts and the fact that the cold spurs them
to let us stay in rather than send us away. I'm sure that God gives
blessings to people who let frozen missionaries inside their houses.
If I get desperate enough, I might try a new contacting technique,
"Can we please just come stand in your entryway and get warm for a few
minutes?" We'll see how it goes.
One of my favorite lessons this week was with Charles and his brother
and sister. We read Lehi's dream with them and had them illustrate it.
Nothing beats little kids making art. Nothing. I think the best part
of the lesson was the kids identifying ways that they could hold onto
the rod and make it to the Tree of Life. I liked Charles's answer the
best, "By being baptized!" Truly in order to begin moving towards
eternal life, we must repent and be baptized. I love that even though
he's only nine years old he understands that baptism is really
important.
My most missionary-y moment this week happened on Saturday. On our way
home to eat lunch I was fully determined to eat as fast as I could and
then take a nap. Not so! We picked up the mail before going inside and
I had a letter from Grandmother all about President Nelson's YSA
fireside that I had completely forgotten about. Sister Clark and I
then spent lunch reading President Nelson and Sister Nelson's
addresses and discussing them. And then of course I wanted to read my
Book of Mormon. I'm figuring that you could write a children's story
similar to "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" or "If You Give a Mouse a
Cookie". This story would be called, "If You Give a Sister Missionary
a New Talk." It would probably go something like this:
If you give a Sister Missionary a new talk to read, she'll want to sit
down and read it right away. If there is time to read the talk, she'll
probably want her blanket. The new talk will probably remind the
Sister Missionary of something that she has been studying in the Book
of Mormon and she'll think that she should go look for some more. When
the Sister Missionary finds something wonderful in the Book of Mormon,
she'll want to share it. She'll ask her companion to hurry and go to
the bathroom so they can get outside to knock on some doors and invite
people to understand the wonderful thing she just found..." And it
could just go on and on and on.
Really though, President Nelson's talk was exactly what I needed to
read. I've been (unfortunately/fortunately) been directed by the
spirit on a handful of occasions to consider what happens after Ohio.
And it's still pretty much a big question mark, but I felt like
President Nelson's talk at least helped to create the dimmest outline.
The Church is true, life is good, God's in charge, and Satan hates you!
Love,
Jessica
exchanges (they were fine), Sister Cale gave a training in district
meeting on teaching people and not lessons (helpful hint-it all starts
with being yourself), comfort food was placed in Sister Cale's path in
the form of an apple pie caramel apple and vitamin water, the sisters
discovered the TRUE need for thermals (how about that negative
windchill eh?), there was art journaling with investigators, adorable
tiny humans, and the warmth of the gospel.
Hey Humans!
So I had forgotten that when you knock on people's doors when it's
cold outside that they are significantly less receptive than they are
when it's summer. With summer at it's extreme heat people tend to be a
little frustrated because it's letting the cool air out of their
houses, but that is nothing compared to the bewilderment and quick
dismissal of winter. I cannot count how many people asked us, "Why are
you outside right now?" I'm sure at some point someone will respond
well to the answer we give, "our message is that important" but it
hasn't happened just yet. I have rediscovered the need for gloves, a
hat, a scarf (and not just because it's cute).
An interesting phenomenon has been occurring. Contrary to the quick
dismissal of those who don't know us yet and don't want to let all the
heat out of their houses, less active members of the ward seem to
invite us in all the more readily in the winter. It's a nice change of
pace. I love the people in this ward. They all have such wonderful
stories and their life experiences truly are so unique. I'm grateful
for the kindness in their hearts and the fact that the cold spurs them
to let us stay in rather than send us away. I'm sure that God gives
blessings to people who let frozen missionaries inside their houses.
If I get desperate enough, I might try a new contacting technique,
"Can we please just come stand in your entryway and get warm for a few
minutes?" We'll see how it goes.
One of my favorite lessons this week was with Charles and his brother
and sister. We read Lehi's dream with them and had them illustrate it.
Nothing beats little kids making art. Nothing. I think the best part
of the lesson was the kids identifying ways that they could hold onto
the rod and make it to the Tree of Life. I liked Charles's answer the
best, "By being baptized!" Truly in order to begin moving towards
eternal life, we must repent and be baptized. I love that even though
he's only nine years old he understands that baptism is really
important.
My most missionary-y moment this week happened on Saturday. On our way
home to eat lunch I was fully determined to eat as fast as I could and
then take a nap. Not so! We picked up the mail before going inside and
I had a letter from Grandmother all about President Nelson's YSA
fireside that I had completely forgotten about. Sister Clark and I
then spent lunch reading President Nelson and Sister Nelson's
addresses and discussing them. And then of course I wanted to read my
Book of Mormon. I'm figuring that you could write a children's story
similar to "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" or "If You Give a Mouse a
Cookie". This story would be called, "If You Give a Sister Missionary
a New Talk." It would probably go something like this:
If you give a Sister Missionary a new talk to read, she'll want to sit
down and read it right away. If there is time to read the talk, she'll
probably want her blanket. The new talk will probably remind the
Sister Missionary of something that she has been studying in the Book
of Mormon and she'll think that she should go look for some more. When
the Sister Missionary finds something wonderful in the Book of Mormon,
she'll want to share it. She'll ask her companion to hurry and go to
the bathroom so they can get outside to knock on some doors and invite
people to understand the wonderful thing she just found..." And it
could just go on and on and on.
Really though, President Nelson's talk was exactly what I needed to
read. I've been (unfortunately/fortunately) been directed by the
spirit on a handful of occasions to consider what happens after Ohio.
And it's still pretty much a big question mark, but I felt like
President Nelson's talk at least helped to create the dimmest outline.
The Church is true, life is good, God's in charge, and Satan hates you!
Love,
Jessica
Monday, January 4, 2016
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