Stretching

July 14, 2014

This is my weekly email home....

This week has been rather crazy. We have done so much service work it's crazy. As I ponder over the past couple days I am filled with much joy and success. And I realize that a mission teaches you to stretch. More than you ever could imagine. So I am going to relay a journal entry that I had last night... The night before I got the call..

07-10-14

Stretch!! Today I am starting with that word because it is so true!! First off, you have to stretch in the morning so you feel good the rest of the day. This is generally not that easy as you are super tired in the morning. Second... I have learned that a mission will stretch your abilities...  spiritually, mentally, and physically. You do a lot of thinking and at most times you rely heavily on the spirit to help you. Like today for instance; I had to build a fence. In which I had no idea how to do. But I relied on God to help me and He did. I had to make plans for another section of fencing and remember all the things my dad has taught me. Which by the way he has done a wonderful job. And thirdly, but not exactly last, you will stretch in taste buds or food. Today for the first time and probably the last time I had an intense selection of seafood. One of our investigators, the Capelles took us to the beach and ordered us some seafood. Naturally I thought "oh heck no!" Then I decided I would stretch. Needless to say I tried raw oysters (freakin nasty), clam (pretty good), and halibut (was pretty good as well). I will still much prefer a big nice juicy cheeseburger, and you will never see me order fish over that again. But I had to stretch. Because when we stretch we grow. And though it may seem unethical, or not logical to pick halibut over a cheeseburger I was willing to grow. I decided I would try to be different. And this is really something that has affected me my whole mission. Anyways the rest of today wasn't so great. This whole week has been nothing but service, which is ok because I love service. I love my mission, goodnight!

Now this brings me to my next journal entry. Which happened tonight:

07-11-14

Mind blown! Not only is it 7-11 like in Alma 7:11, but today I got some truly good news. Truly inspiring news. So yesterday I talked about stretching. And how being a missionary you are always stretching. So today, after a long day, after traveling to and from nor bend for ZTM, we had just an average missionary day. Appointments falling through and some good lessons with investigators. But what makes today different was I got some good news. This news confirmed my feeling that I have been having all week. I have had this feeling that Elder Taito was going to get transferred and I would be training a new missionary. And in all honesty it was only logical that the new mission president would keep us where we were so I didn't know why I was thinking and feeling this way. At 9:36 PM we got a call from pres. Russell and the APS confirming this feeling I was having. They told Taito that he would be training a new missionary and still be a District Leader in Medford. Then President Russell told me I would be doing the same but I would be staying in Bandon. He told me that I would also become a District Leader, and be training a new missionary. Than he told us how marvelous it was that Elder Taito and I were together and how he couldn't deny the promptings from the Holy Ghost that we were special missionaries.....

I can honestly say I attribute this all to the power of God. For I know that I am nothing NOTHING without his strength. 6 months ago when I came out here, I had a basic understanding of the gospel. Very basic. I knew who God and Jesus Christ were and I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But I didn't have one with God. I felt inadequate. And though I may still feel from time to time this same feeling I know that God qualifies us for the work. I know if I put my trust in him all things are possible. I feel as though God has truly prepared me this past transfer for this wonderful calling. I know with all my heart that He loves me. That he knows what I need to grow. I know the words of Ammon in the book of Alma are true: Alma 26:12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

I know that without him I am a pile of dust. I know that he has given me everything I am. I will continue to rely on him. I will continue to put my shoulder to the wheel. I will become the person he wants me to become. For I know he is the master Gardner.

GRIZZ 👻

Mommy, I love you mom!!!:) I TOTALLY forgot that 7-11 gave out free Slurpee’s. Dang ! We even have one of those here. Haha I only related it to Alma because that's a popular scripture to show Christ's atonement. Check it out :) haha I do not write anything like Megan. She's awesome with words. I'm just gibberish. But thanks mommy :)  I'm awesome. Nervous to train and to be a District Leader.  I am so glad everything went how you wanted and it was fun. And y'all laughed. That's so awesome! All your prayers and fasting paid off. I’m doing awesome. Couldn't be happier. Well maybe... Haha. My bed and blankets are good. I brush and floss all the time. I think the only thing I could ask for is a flash drive and for Ryley to send me those CDs. Lol. P Russell said we can listen to spirit inviting things and what ever he approves. So that'll rock. But I need Ry to send me them.  I love you. Thanks for this awesome email ! Hope your week rocks! Oh… We get so many visitors from SLC and they all tell me it's hot there. It's like 60-70 here. So nice! I got Scott’s letter. Haha he's funny as heck in letters! Tell grandma Betty to write me!

So tonight we are driving to Coos Bay.. Staying with the Zone Leaders. Then tomorrow at 1 we will head to Eugene.  I'm driving. Haha. Bummer right. Then we have a meeting Tuesday night at 4-9 telling us how to train and do all that fun stuff. Then on Wednesday when they (new missionaries right from the MTC) come in P Russell will meet with them all and listen to the spirit to figure out who goes where. Then we will come back to Bandon on Thursday. In the photo it's Elder White. I love you so much! Thank you!

Elder White and I :)