October 24, 2011

Hello!

So...today is overcast (it is VERY rare) and things are so wonderful!! Today is a grand day!! AND YES!!! I got your Halloween package!! I DIED when I saw the Almond Joy! *gag* ..... and the wreath, skulls, candy, mummy, tic tacs (so cute!), everything was amazing! I almost forgot it's almost Halloween...it's still warm here, and as a missionary you just don't think of those kinds of things. So I really appreciated and loved it so so much!!

 

I guess I forgot to update you on Arie! (the woman we met in her carport who had been looking for truth her whole life). She is amazing, and her first lesson was astounding... She tearfully said that this is what she has been searching for. She is hard to get a hold of, so we haven't seen her much, but evertyime we do she is grateful and our lessons go so wonderfully! I'll keep you updated on her progress! Just remind me if I tell you about someone and then never mention them again... I tend to forget what I write in these emails. I also apologize for any repeats ;)

 

It sounds like everyone is doing well back home, yeah? I hope so! Everything is amazing here. We had two people fall off-date for their wedding and baptism, and that's been very difficult to understand. But we still let them know that they are loved and that what they know to be true is the path they need to continue on in their lives; especially for their two little girls. Agency is tough, but it makes Heavenly Father's plan perfect. Please pray for the people ofArizona. So many willing hearts continue to find US! It's amazing! I love the work here; it's hard but so amazing.

 

So I want to share something with you all that I wrote in my journal... It's just so touching to me :) ....

 

"In this area we cover the mid-singles ward (ages 30-47). There is a member in this ward that truly astounds me.

What used to be a handsome face is now distorted with a giant, vertical, badly stitched scar running from his hairline down to just above his eyebrows. Slow of speech and very hard to understand, he struggled to explain that he is the way he is due to an accident... with an axe to his head.

Lucky and grateful to be alive, he participates often in Sunday School. Whenever he tells a story, or just talks in general, all you can hear is hard amounts of mumbling and inaudible words.

Yet every time he speaks, I hear exactly what he means to say. His own spirit means a whole lot, and the Holy Spirit speaks to my spirit, conveying the message that this brother longs to communicate.

A couple of Sundays ago was testimony meeting, and as he stumbled from his seat in the front row to the podium, battered and water-warped scriptures in hand, he began to bear his testimony.

I couldn't make out a single word he said as he struggled to speak. But I felt his words touch my heart.

He looked up at the ceiling, paused and gave an audible sigh. The congregation grew silent. This man looked back down at the audience and continued to speak. His last words were as clear as day ... "endure to the end."

His example and strength have truly touched my heart. What a wonderful example in continuing onward, no matter what we are going through.

This Brother's life will never be the same again. In a split second, his life was forever changed. But he endures. As we should ALL do in our lives.

No matter what."

 

I just know that the Lord knows exactly what each one of us goes through, day by day; even the little things. And He loves us, regardless. He is willing to help us.

 

I love this Gospel. And I love all of you! Thank you for your love and prayers and support!
Till next week... Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah for Israel!

 

Love, your favorite missionary,

Meg