Holy Cow! I've only been here a week- not even a week yet, but it feels like i've been here for months, but at the same time it feels like I got here yesterday- time seriously is messed up when you're on a mission.
I don't even know where to start! I've been keeping a list of things I wanted to tell you all about....then I forgot my sticky note at the apt! So I'll do my best! First off- thanks for all the emails! Especially with pictures!
I've been meeting a lot of the memebers here and there are some super awesome members! We had a service activity on Saturday- we got free T-shirts= score! I'll do just about anything for a free tshirt ;), but the service was awesome haha we cleaned up some trails behind the church and got to know some of the members.
People are obsessed with their cats and small dogs here. Dad, I have to opress the Vanderhoofian in me and not think about what people would say or do about that at home- if you get my drift.
We have gone out tracting and I have gotten my fair share of doors slammed in my face- who knew people were so edgy about religion! Even have gotten the polygamy card pulled on us the other day- just to clarify "MORMONS ARE NOT POLYGAMISTS!", but I kept my composure and just smiled and waved. The most common answers we get from people are A) my grandfather was catholic, my father was catholic, I cannot change B)I do not dicuss such things with strangers (typically a door in slammed in our face after that one) and C) I don't believe in anything Oh AND D) I'm happy with where I am, oh and one more E) No english- haha so many ppl don't speak english here!
I keep telling my companion- "How can people refuse our message! We are so cute!", You would think they'd at least be a little nicer about it. One thing I have definitely found is that those who profess to be dedicated Christians are definitely the rudest of the people, whereas the people with lots of piercings and a bit of an edgy haircut are very kind and love to chat :) And I wish I knew like all the languages! So many people don't know english- that or they are fooling us! We are teaching one lady and she is from Iran, she speaks english fairly well, but she speaks like 10000mph! It took us an hour to teach the preearth life, birth, and earth in the plan of salvation! haha.
So moral of the story- be nice to the missionaries! we've only had one dinner appointment since i've been here, but the bishop gave us subway cards and another lady gave us some food- good thing I think cereal is a treat! I've been eating lots of it! The hardest thing so far for me is just being able to stay awake! Personal study in the morning is so hard! I've been trying to come up with clever ways to keep myself from dozing off- from standing, to sitting on the ground, to eating...the list goes on and i'm sure it will get longer. Mornings are definitely tough! But it is after we have taught a bunch of lessons in the afternoon and evening when I am reminded why I chose to come on a mission! I KNOW that through Jesus Christ we can change! More than half the ward is inactive, and it breaks my heart that we missionaires come out here to tell people about a wonderful gift that is available to them, when there are so many who already have it, but choose to set it aside and to put their hearts on the things of the world! The majority of the issues of why people leave are because of being offended- I find that to be the most frustrating response possible! I just want to tell them to give their head and shake and get over it. Church is for the sinners- no one is perfect there- so we all have to give a little and remember why we really go to church- to come closer to our Heavenly Father and put aside the pride that would otherwise keep us from going to church.
This is a quote from Our Search For Happiness by Elder Ballard, "If you really concentrate on trying to walk the way He walked-loving, caring, serving, and obeying each step of the way- one day you'll look up and discover that His path has led you directly to the throne of God. For that is and ever has been His great purpose and mission: to lead us to our Heavenly Father so we can dwell with HIm in His heavenly home."
The Baptism yesterday went so well! She is so remarkable! OH and the Mission President and his wife showed up! totally unexpected! this week we are going to teach her about temples. She had an older sister who passed away some years ago, so we are really excited to teach her about baptisms for the dead- the Young Women are gonig on a temple trip the 11th of June so she will get to go! She has also been learning about patriarchal blessings! Ah! She is seriously just so amazing! And it has reminded me of all the blessings that come from living the gospel and being a member of the Church.
I am loving it out here! It is an amazing feeling to totally set yourself apart from the world, without the distractions, and the loud music (though I miss the loud music a tiny bit) and being able to totally give yourself over to the Lord to do his will!
I love you all!
Sister Allred
No comments:
Post a Comment