Thursday, August 8, 2013

08.05.13 | Week 17 | Fort Lauderdale

Family!

Hello AGAIN:)

How is every one doing?? I hope great! I love you all so much and love getting to hear from you! Thanks for always e-mailing me. It means more than you know.

Time is flying by just like always for me. I wake up, blink my eyes, and its time for bed! And I swear that every day is Sunday! That's how fast the weeks go by. Before you know it I'll be to my half way mark! Holy cow! I can't believe it.

This week was another great week in the life of a missionary. Sister Bean and I have a lot of great people that we are teaching but are having a hard time getting them to church. Its really hard sometimes when you do all you can, and work your finger to the bone all week long, and then they don't put their part in. Then you see other missionaries having success, and you can't help but think about what you're doing wrong. I was talking to the other sister in our apartment, Sister Smith and Clayton, and I was asking them how they are getting all of their investigators to church. Sister Smith said, "That's exactly what I used to say to Sister Bean, when she would ALWAYS have lots of investigators at church, and I would be sitting there with none." she also said, "I think that we go through times like that so that we could be humbled. Then when we do have success we know that it isnt because of what we are doing. Its all Heavenly Father." That really opened my eyes. Because its easy to tell yourself its all you, and that you are a horrible missionary because people just aren't responding. As I was reading in Preach My Gospel this morning, It was saying that as long as you teach people very simple, and with the spirit, it is there responsibility to act. If they don't, don't get frustrated. It is all part of God's timing.

We found this AMAZING trailer park the other day. It was LATIN FULL! Haha you don't understand how amazing that is! It was a miracle in itself that we found it. We met this cutest Mexican family there. Moises and Ester and their kids. We had a way spiritual lesson on the restoration with them, but they didn't make it to church. We are going to really work on helping our investigators keep their commitments and read, and we think that will make it a big different. There is always things we can improve on!

Will you please tell Grace that I say hi.  I cant wait to receive her letter! I love that girl. She is going to be amazing out there! can't wait to see where she gets called to:) I am glad you got a letter from Olivia! I got one too:) I just wrote her back this week. She is loving missionary life! I love that girl. It'll be a good day when we reunite. I know without a doubt she was put in my life for a reason. 

I have been getting SO tired. Sister Bean and I crash during lunch time like every single day. The sun here and the humidity, well lets just say that it drains you. just a little. ;) We have decided to eat more healthy, fruits and veggies, and less junk so that we can help our energy out that way. I can't believe that her and I possible only have a week left her. I took of the area for a day on exchanges, which was so scary. My letter to president explains it a little bit. But my spanish really surprised me. I guess that when Heavenly Father puts you in hard situations, he wont let you fall short. He will always make it possible for you. It might be on Gods time. 

The Sister Training Leaders, Sister Tuai, and Johnson arranged and exchange with us. The past times I have gone to Pines. This time, I was staying in Riverside, and Sister Bean was going to Pines. That meant that I would be taking over the area. I cannot tell you how nervous I was. I didn't think that I was capable. I am very thankful that I had Sister Tuai with me though. She is so patient and helpful. The day rolled around and it was time for me to be in charge. I had total support from my amazing trainer Sister Bean, who had complete trust in me, but of course, I was terrified. That day, was amazing. Sister Tuai and I saw so many miracles. Every person that we taught to was a miracle. We could hardly believe it. I ended up surprising myself with the spanish that i didn't think I knew. Of course it was nice to have Sister Tuai to help me when I needed it though. I know that all my prayers, they didn't go unanswered. I have such a strong testimony that Heavenly Father hears every single one of our prayers, no matter how little or big they are.

I finished The Book of Mormon for the first time on my mission. It was really cool to read it from a different perspective. From reading it at home, and reading on my mission, it was a whole different experience. I have learned that the stories in The Book of Mormon, are stories, like us as missionaries go through every day. As I was finishing in Mosiah, I was reading in Chapter 10 Vs. 3. It explains to us how much love our Heavenly Father has for us. He never leaves us alone. Everything that we go through, is because he loves us so much. That is something I have really come to realize. I have always known it, but I know it on a different level now. I cant wait to start The Book of Mormon over and read all the stories again!

This week, I have come to realize that going on a mission was part of Heavenly Fathers plan for me. I have had some hard times, but that's when I have really grown the most. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. I know I was supposed to be put with Sister Bean for a reason as well. She is so patient with me, and has so much trust, faith, and confidence in me. She has taught me so much. I will forever be grateful for her and this opportunity.


Well family I love you so much!  I hope you have a great week!


Sister Rogers




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