The Week that Pretended to Be Bad‏

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