Hello world! Another
week has come and gone, and honestly, it felt pretty long! Each day had
activities of it's own and what happened earlier last week felt SO long ago!
On Tuesday, we had
zone conference, and it was an amazing experience! It was a privilege to be
able to play the musical number at the beginning of the zone conference and
even though my hands were shaking like CRAZY, it wasn't too bad.
We focused on
finding in our zone conference today. We talked about how we can make any
situation a finding opportunity, whether we are talking to strangers in the
streets, at a lesson with someone we're teaching, or at a member's home.
I always leave
conferences and meetings so uplifted, like the excitement and energy that I
need is injected into me. I love gathering with other missionaries- I feel so
much stronger, as if the abilities that I have to teach people about the gospel
that I love has increased tenfold!
We were also able to
see a few miracles on Sunday!
We are currently
trying to teach a family, but the mom has the craziest hours (basically working
12-hour shifts 6 days a week, AND also going to school full time). It's so hard
for us to meet with them, but the desire that their 11-year-old daughter has to
go to church and be baptized is SO strong! We've tried so hard to get them all
to come to church with no success, so we decided to shift our focus to the
daughter. We arranged a ride to church and she came!
She loves going to
church, and she is such a good example to me, as well as the rest of her
family. Even though she goes alone, she does not hesitate to make it a priority
in her life. She used to struggle to read the Book of Mormon, but once we gave
her a sticker chart (a grid on a poster board. when she reads the Book of
Mormon, she puts a sticker on the board- kids love it!) she hasn't missed a
day!
Sometimes, I don't
understand the Lord's will. I want things to go my way- how and when I plan it
to be- and sometimes, I hesitate to follow the Lord's will when it conflicts
with mine.
But that is where
faith comes in.
I want to have faith
that everything will work out as I put my will into His hands- when I surrender
my desires, thoughts and actions to Him. Because His Plan is perfect- He has
the whole plan! He knows how to guide us, we don't always know how to guide
ourselves because we are often in a fog. He often won't make the fog go away,
but He will give us enough light to take one step at a time- we just have to
have faith that He knows more than we do.
Our most progressing
family has currently decided not to meet with us because of the conflicts that
has come up in their family and it was the most heartbreaking thing that I have
experienced since being on my mission. I was confused because they were
progressing so much, and I was hurt because the family that I love so much is
deciding to take a break from the gospel.
Nothing can bless
you more in your life than the gospel- for me, it is as simple as that. Nothing
has brought me more peace, assurance and guidance in my life than the gospel.
My faith in Jesus Christ has carried me through the challenges I have
experienced and I know that it will continue to carry me. I just need to put
God first in my life and trust in His will!
God is good and
there is so much ahead of us- so much yet to experience!
Let's end on a funny
note:
We were at the park
one afternoon and part of it is a skate park. There was a dad watching his
young son on a scooter and so we go up to talk to him! It was made evident
pretty fast that he didn't want to talk to us, but we push through the
awkwardness to talk to him about the gospel. His son then comes up to him,
gives his dad the scooter and then grabs his skateboard and rides away. The dad
then picks up the little scooter (definitely too small for an adult to ride),
and so he doesn't have to talk to us, he gets on the scooter and just rides
away..without saying a good bye or anything! He just...rides away!
It was the funniest
thing ever to see the middle-aged man get on the little scooter and quickly
ride away, just so that he doesn't have to talk to us!
I am thankful for
this week and for every experience that Sister Men and I had together- both
good and hard. I know that everything we experience is for our good and will
help us to become stronger and more like the people that God wants us to be. He
will never give us something more than we can handle, but He will always give
us things to help us grow and stretch. He gives the biggest challenges to His
strongest warriors!
I love you all and I
am thankful for your support. I would love to receive a letter or email from
you guys!
Sister McCown
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