Hi everyone. What's
the greatest miracle you have seen this week? Whether big or small, I know all
of you saw many.
It has been a
rollercoaster of a week, and a theme that I have noticed throughout is that no
matter how your day was, you can ALWAYS see something good in it.
It can be something
as simple as having another day. Another day to live and breathe and move. That
is a miracle in and of itself.
There hasn't been a
drastic amount of progress in the past week unfortunately, so today, I will be
dedicating my weekly to listing all the small miracles:
1. Bonnie
One afternoon,
Sister Christenson and I were walking and we saw a woman sitting on the curb.
We were getting closer and we said, "Hello!".
....not even a
reaction.
At that point, many
conversations that start like that is a sign that they don't want to talk to
us, but we go into the street and face her to talk.
She had long hair
that covered her face slightly and she looked worn out- physically and
emotionally.
We began to get to
know her a little bit and we explained our purpose and roles as missionaries.
We asked her if she would like a picture of Jesus Christ and she said,
"yes, I actually would really like one."
She told us about
some of the recent struggles we have gone through and it gave us an opportunity
to talk to her about the love God has for her and how Christ can sympathize
with her through His Atonement. We invited her to come to church with us and
even though she respectfully declined, before we left she said, "Thank you
for stopping and talking to me. I really needed it and I know it was a sign
from God."
It was amazing to
see the light in her eyes grow as we talked about Jesus Christ and it made me
feel so good that we played a part in being an answer to her prayer.
2. Aurora
Aurora was baptized
back in June and this past week we had our very last lesson with her. On Friday
she left to go to college, so we focused the lesson on the importance of
scripture Study and prayer, and finding the little moments to do it despite a busy
school schedule. She loved how we tailored the lessons to her needs and I
absolutely love lessons like those- where it feels so much more like a
discussion rather than a "lesson".
It was so hard to
say goodbye to her and I actually got teary-eyed! I know that I have learned so
much more from her than she does from us. She is such a good example to me of
shining faith and a determination to do what is right.
3. Talks with Sister
Christenson
We've been doing a
LOT of walking this past week, which I've enjoyed, and it's given me more
opportunities to talk to her. We've been telling each other a lot of stories
and especially this last week, I am so thankful for her support and love.
One day as we were
walking, we talked about a couple things that we are grateful for at home that
we miss (Chick Fil A, homecooked dinners, jeans, etc. etc.). But the amazing
thing, is that literally only a couple minutes later, we started rattling off
all the things we love are grateful for as missionaries, that we just can't do
or have at home (the ability to call ourselves missionaries, to invite
ourselves to people's houses and share messages, to give promised blessings, to
wear nametags, to not worry about anything else other than our ward and those
we teach, and SO much more we cannot even name!). I am so lucky to be a
missionary, especially with the wonderful sisters I am here with.
4. Exchanges with
Sister Hair
I was blessed to go
on another exchange with Sister Hair this past week and it was a BLAST! I went
to Dayton for the day and it is so cute and reminds me so much of Amity.
We get along super
well and I just love teaching with her. I still can't believe she is still in
training; if I could guess, I would say she's been out closer to 9 months! She
is just so good at teaching and she was a super good example to me of teaching
simply and the importance of establishing a connection with those we teach.
5. My roommates
I am blessed to live
in the same apartment as the Forest Grove 2nd sisters, Sister Child and Sister
Johnson. Man, do we have a party! They keep me laughing and they know just how
to help me and I love it so much. I feel so spoiled to have these three sisters
with me!
God is so good!
6. Analogies
I'm a very visual
learner I've come to realize and I've been thinking about this one a lot.
Last week, I was
talking to my previous companion, Sister Leifson, about one of the things I was
struggling with. I compared it to how we all have mountains (obstacles) in our
lives, and she said, "We all have our mountains, but that's why we have
walking sticks to give us support, and good shoes that will carry you. You need
a backpack full of water and snacks to keep you nourished."
I thought about that
during the week...and it's SO true. I was thinking about what those things can
symbolize in our lives as we hike the mountains we face.
The walking sticks
are like our friends and family. They are there to give to support and energy
to get up and go over the hard parts. Sometimes they keep you from falling and
they keep you balanced.
The hiking shoes we
wear is the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. Without them, it
would make the hike SO much more painful. He helps us to feel comfort as we go
through the hard times and the good times and every moment in between, as long
as we make the decision to put the shoes on.
The backpack full of
nutrition are the decisions we can make to feel the Spirit in our lives, such
as reading the scriptures, praying, going to church and so much more. They will
give us strength and energy as we hike the trail and will ultimately sustain
us.
But, we can also
decide to put other things in our backpacks. Thoughts of doubt, fear or anger
towards the mountains we face only put rocks in our backpacks. That, I promise,
will only make the hike harder and may ultimately cause us to fall and have no
desire or energy to get back up.
I know that holding
onto the principles of the gospel we know to be true and remaining strong in
our faith can sustain us. I have a testimony of it because I have seen it in my
life countless times.
The Book of Mormon
has given me peace in trials that I know I can not get anywhere else. I know
that prayer has kept my anger, bubbling questions and confusion at bay and has
helped me to reach out in faith and seek His will instead of my own.
I love this gospel
and the knowledge it gives me of eternal families. I am far from home, and have
been for a long time, but I have felt their prayers especially this week. I am
so thankful for my family, no matter how immediate or distant, and the support
they have for me in being here on a mission.
I love my Savior and
I am forever in debt for what He has done for me and continues to do for me.
I love this gospel
and I love you all! Have a wonderful week! Talk to you in a week!
All my love
Sister McCown
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