The Week I Stayed

On this week's episode of Sister Cale in Columbus-Sister Cale got to
stay in Westerville for her final transfer, the Ohio summer skies were
on point, the Sisters decided to sew quilts at My Very Own Blanket,
the ward was very pleased that we both stayed, Sister Cale was
reminded of the power of positive psychology, the Sisters went to
brunch with Sister Young (go to First Watch it is a magical place),
Jessica made us delicious authentic Japanese food (yakanomi-cabbage
pancakes with bacon), the weather was beautiful, a pentascostal woman
stopped us in a parking lot and tried to save us, and My Plan was a
life saver.

Hello Loves!

What a beautiful week it has been! We have a sort of interesting week
this upcoming week. On Thursday we have a training and a visit to the
temple, so our preparation day time is split between Monday and
Thursday. But let's talk about this past week and the goodness
therein.

One of the things that I am most excited about this transfer is the
goal that Sister Bohner and I have set to not let our lack of faith be
the thing that keeps us from finding those who are being prepared to
receive the gospel at this time. We realized that we had allowed the
fact that we are so frequently greeted at doors with immediate
requests for us to leave or announcements of lack of interests before
we have even said hello that we had allowed that to become the
expectation. Instead we have decided to act with faith, knowing that
there are people in all parts of the area that we have been given
stewardship of for another transfer who are waiting for us to arrive
and share more. Though we have really only had two days to put this
awareness into prayers and action, it has decidedly made a difference
in us. I know that I feel a greater level of commitment to love
fearlessly and continue inviting in the least likely of circumstances.

We had so many interesting experiences this week as we sought to find
those who were in need of the gospel and the understanding that the
Atonement is meant to change our lives. One such experience was with a
man named John. We were out knocking Saturday morning, and though it
wasn't blazing hot yet, the sun was decidedly present. When we knocked
on John's door he seemed surprised, but somehow excited to see us. He
had met with missionaries many years ago when he was younger, but then
had stepped away from religion and a belief in God altogether. We
talked to him for over an hour as we answered his questions about how
we gained our personal testimonies and why we feel we are committed to
living the gospel. I was so grateful for every experience that I have
ever had that pressed me to find out for myself that I wanted to live
within the bounds of the gospel so when he asked why I could say that
I had received a witness for myself that it was what God wanted me to
do. Our personal conversion to the gospel is so incredibly important
for how effectively we can help others to recognize the need to have
one themselves. Before we left John he said the first prayer that he
had prayed in over fourteen years. He told us that he felt a warmth
with us and that his defenses had not been up like they normally would
have if anyone else had come to his door to talk about religion.
Sometimes you know that God sent you to reach out to one of his
children. This was definitely one of those interactions. Another
remarkable experience we had was as we decided to knock one last door
before heading back to our car so we could get to a scheduled lesson.
Hawa invited us in immediately and told us that she had met
missionaries in Sierra Leone before she moved to the United States.
She was so open to learning more and finding the truth for herself.
She even asked if her sister could come to our next lesson. There are
people and moments from my mission that I will carry with me for the
rest of my life. These are just two.

James blessed the sacrament today and I got another tiny glimpse of
what it must feel like to be a parent whose child is doing the right
things. We walked into the chapel and didn't see him anywhere, and
when we sat down he was sitting on the stand. It was awesome! As
missionaries we have our fair share of experiences that are shadows of
children choosing contrary to the commandments, and those pains and
aches are unlike anything that I have ever experienced. How grateful I
am for opposition  and the joy that counteracts those moments of
sorrow. When God's children do what is right the joy replaces the
sorrow with divine light.

The church is true, life is good, God's in charge, and Satan hates you.

Love,

Jessica