Oh wow! I am really excited to do the chalk art festival again! There
have been so many instances on my mission when I get this strong urge
to paint or draw... But I just never actually seem to have time to do
it! So hooray for chalk art! Time is flying so fast...
Today we had choir practice. I am so happy and excited that I get to
be in one more mission choir before the end! We are doing an Easter
performance so my last Sunday in the field I will get to spread the
joy of the gospel through music. What a great way to end! And they are
letting me do a solo again! Pretty much positive that I am going to be
crying through it.... Oh well. We will deal with that when we get
there.
Sister Gillespie and I had a good week. She helped me discover
something about myself that is just so fantastic to finally
understand! So with every companionship we would talk about trying not
to do things that bothered each other. Over and over again I have had
difficulty with communication and just weird little things that would
frustrate me and throw me off for a bit. It always bothered me because
I would have a difficulty with something my companion would do and
they wouldn't have any issue with what I was doing. It made me feel
like I was really different and just have a hard time with people. I
was having an off moment and I brought it up to Sister Gillespie and
she told me that my problem (or strength) is that I am a bit more
observant and in tune to things that other people don't recognize.
Which is true! It makes it very easy to remember people's names and
faces and where we met them. I remember smells and am acutely aware of
sounds. So when we are talking to people face to face I can pick up on
all of these little cues and then I can see and feel what I need to do
as a missionary. Pretty fantastic. But it makes it difficult when you
are with someone for a prolonged period of time! Hence the reason that
in all my relationships I need a break for a while before I can really
enjoy the relationship. I have to become accustomed to these small
little things. Sister Gillespie pointed this out to me and since then
instead of getting frustrated all the time over why I am like this, I
can enjoy the benefits and make it more of a strength for
relationships! So add that to the list of things you can learn as a
missionary. You really truly do discover who you are and what makes
you tick. And now that I have learned these things about myself, I
feel that future relationships will be greatly benefited.
So communication skills, self-discovery, and a greater understanding
of the gospel. The power of prayer, the power of service, the power of
the scriptures, the power of love and the power of endurance. All of
these things have grown and improved while I have been on a mission.
Plus I can sing alto better than I ever have in my entire life! I am
just amazed at what The Lord has blessed me to learn while I have been
serving here in Tennessee. I love my mission!! I have been telling
people I will move back to Tennessee someday. I love it here.
We had a great week again. I never even know where to begin! It is
just cool to watch the members get excited about the work and invite
their friends and neighbors to meet with us. We had another member
invite a friend to hear the lessons. He has already read through 1
Nephi 13 and he has a great hunger and thirst for truth! So exciting!
We were able to contact some less actives that show a lot of
potential-- also exciting :). And we are starting to get a more
regular group of investigators to teach! There is an ebb and flow with
the lives of our investigators but some are showing great promise!
One girl is named K. She is 19 years old, pregnant and living with
her boyfriend. We taught her the plan of salvation this week and she
just ate it up! Absolutely loved it! One day we were going to visit
her and another girl came out of the house. Turns out this girl is a
less active member of the church! Very cool! Can you say instant
fellowshipper?? We are helping K to start reading and having her
own experiences with the Book of Mormon.
It is neat to start to feel and see the fruits of our labors. No one
is jumping in the font yet, but there are so many that are starting to
read and are letting us come back and teach. We are so excited! Turns
out good things can happen from tracting :). We are still trying to
discover who is ready to be baptized. We have invited more this week--
they are all still working on commitments and testimony. I know The
Lord has someone prepared.... We are still looking so keep praying!!
We will find them yet!
Anyways I love you all :). I am glad that everyone is happy and had a
good week. Till next week!
Love always,
Sister Alicia Johnson
No comments:
Post a Comment