March 25, 2013

stress-- it's a killer

Ma chère famille,

Ne vous inquiétez pas.Don't worry I'm doing good. I just felt like quoting Anastasia. And this week was good. But rough. I found like three gray hairs this week, and Soeur Lamb's having some stress issues too. But we're hanging in there.

This week in Sixième was hard. We had quite a few rendez-vous appointments actually scheduled. Like 4 ish every day, but only 2 of them for the entire week ended up not falling through. Even our service project with a member fell through on Saturday. So, it was kind of just an emotional roller coaster of a week. But, I learned a lot. About this work, about the Savior, about myself, etc. And I think I said the most sincere prayer of my life on Saturday night. I was so sad, and I felt alone, and I didn't know if I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, I felt like we were just walking around sometimes and sometimes it felt just uninspired. So I hung in there pretty good til Saturday late afternoon/early evening, and then I started to cry. Consequently, Soeur Lamb had cried twice earlier that day. hah. And that's usually how that happens, especially with the two of us. An earthquake and then the after shocks... But it was good. We actually headed home a little early Saturday night because we taught the lesson for l'ecole de dimanche Sunday School Sunday, so we did that, finished our language study, and then Soeur Lamb was nice and made dinner and I went in the room and said a prayer. An English prayer. Which I never do. I asked Him if He was pleased with the work that Soeur Lamb and I were doing. I also asked Him what I could do to become a more effective servant in doing this work. And I got part of my answer during the prayer and part of my answer the next day at church. Soeur Lamb and I are being obedient and working hard. So Heavenly Father is pleased with that. I felt that during my prayer. I felt lighter and a merciful calm come over me. And the next day, at church, I felt that I should continue doing what I was doing, but that also, I needed to change. I need to have more faith. I need to become more like Him, actively try and plead with the Lord, chaque jour each day  to really change and become. Because I can't go out and try and find and teach people about faith in Jesus Christ if I don't have the faith that we can find someone to talk to about this gospel. 

But! I am doing great. Really, I am. And I know that Heavenly Father is there and that He answers prayers. Because He loves us and wants us to be happy. If there is anything I have a testimony of, it is that. The the premier principe of leçon 1 the first principle of lesson 1. God is our loving Heavenly Father and He loves us. It's true! I know it is. 

And Kalei and Elaine!! Congrats on your engagement!! I am sooo happy for you! I cried tears of joy when I read your email! And it was the first one I read today cause it was at the top!! I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families and that is why I am so happy that you are going to get married, because I know that many blessings will follow after that. And I know how much you love eachother! Oh I'm so happy. Félicitations vous deux! Je vous aime! Congratulations to you both!  I love you!

Tender mercies. So many this week. Despite the fact that almost every rendez-vous tombé-d dans l'eau. ...almost every appointment fell in the water (literal translation)- in English we would say, "was flushed down the toilet"; i.e. was for naught...you get the point. (Also, on a side note, this, gentle folk, is franglais at its finest-  French vocabulary with English grammar. That sister of mine is QUITE adept at it!) But seriously. I don't quite know how I can explain how much Heavenly Father loves and takes care for His missionaries. Bags of fruit from random people we talk to when we try and offer service, a bottle of citronade lemonade when doing porte a porte.door-to-door 6 peaches just given to us across the counter of a little alimentation (grocery)  store, rides home from the grocery store. Groceries bought and given to us. Trop de bénédictions!! Je ne peux même pas expliquer.So many blessings!!  I can't even explain. Heavenly Father loves me. And I know He loves you all too! I pray for you everyday, but really, I've given you too the Lord, because I need to concecrate all of my time and thoughts and efforts to this work and the people that are here. But I know that He is taking care of you. And I'm grateful for that connaissance. knowledge.

Happy birthday Travis! Your card's in the mail. Also, I've been getting a crazy amount of letters! Thank you all! In the past week I've gotten like 5. Thank you Sister Larsen Elder Woodward, Sister Osorio, Dan, and Hermana Glauser. I'm getting back to all of you, but I'm a bit behind. Désolée... Sorry...But!! Elder Woodward's in Halifax CANADA and he has his cello cause his president called him and was like, hey you play cello, and the next week it was being driven up by a senior couple driving up to Halifax. I may or may not be slightly jel... hah. So if you know of any missionaries driving out to New Cal... hah. Je blague. (literally, "I joke"...aka "j/k")  

Anyways, I love you family! Thank you for your continual prayers!! They are much felt on this side of the pacific. Sachez que vous etes dans mes prieres comme d'hab. Je vous aime tous! Plus que je peux dire!! Bonne semaine! Know that you are in my prayers as usual.  I love you all!  More than I can say!  Have a good week!

L'evangile est vrai!

Love, Soeur Santos