This week was a good
one. I was definitely spiritually fed due to the General Women's
Broadcast and having a leadership training with President Bernhisel and the other missionaries
holding leadership positions. The theme for the
Broadcast was great; perfect for this day and age I think. I loved
what Sister Esplin said about being filled with light and truth. If
this broadcast didn't encourage me or make me want to be a righteous
parent, I don't know what will :) I would encourage every one to view it
if they haven't. At the leadership training our Mission President
talked about patterns for success and those included: Listen and rely on
the spirit, mighty prayer, study for understanding, and be unified. It
was quite good and I learned a lot at that meeting!
During
the week we were able to go help two sweet ladies who were part of the
Episcopalian church down by where we live. They had ordered a lot of
bark to mulch the yard around their church, but when it arrived
it was a lot more than they had expected. We passed by them during the
week and told them they would love to help. They were a little shocked
at first but said if we really wanted to we could. But they said on
another day when we weren't dressed so nice, haha! we always dress
like that. But we went back over the weekend in some work clothes and
helped them spread bark for a couple hours. They were so impressed that
they got ahold of their minister and had him come down to the church
building so he could meet us. When he arrived he told us that we were
truly humbling him. He said, "Two girls from the Latter Day Saint
church helping and serving us...I am humbled. You come from a good
church." I think it is important to leave a good impression on those
around us because we do represent our Savior and the restored gospel
that is here on the earth. I was reading in Jesus the Christ, a book
written by Elder Talmage (I am loving it!) He talks about how we are
the salt of the earth, and how salt is used as a preservative. We as
saints are trying to preserve the name of Christ and the true church
here on the earth today. I learned that before the time of Christ, salt
actually held the symbolism for fidelity, hospitality, and covenant. I
am trying to apply those three things into my life as of now. How can I
be more loyal to my savior? How can I show hospitality for all I come
in contact with, no matter what? How do I want to live so that I can
keep the covenants I have made? To be of use, salt has to be PURE. If
there is any chemical alteration to it, or has anything mixed in, the
salt loses its effects, and its savor. If we allow ourselves to be
altered, or swayed by the ways of the world and not stay pure and
virtuous, always striving to be more like the Lord, then we too will
lose that influence on the world. As a missionary we are under a
magnifying glass, and our influence is noticed and felt by all.
This
week we had a pretty rough experience with one of our investigators. I
won't go into detail, but they weren't able to keep the baptismal date
we had set because there was lack of keeping commitments and not coming
to church. They were pretty upset and that caused some drama (which I
am not used to anymore! And I don't miss it either!) But what I have
been able to take away from that experience is that the great test of this
life is obedience. The Savior asks us to follow Him. And there are so
many different ways to do that. Being set apart as a missionary means
we are on a different plane than the rest of the world. We are expected
to be EXACTLY obedient, and represent NOT ourselves, but Jesus Christ.
Because we are human, because I am human, I am no where near perfect
nor will I ever be in this life. And at times I get overwhelmed when I
think about how far I am from where I would like to be. In contrast to
that I know that when we are firm in keeping our covenants and living
true to the light we have, the Lord will bless us and our lives and give
us inspiration and hope.
So,
a few things that are super great about the south: when leaving a
store, or anything of the sort the people working there say 'Have a
blessed day!' It is so cute :)
The people here also love family. So when we teach that families are together forever they usually latch right on and give a few 'hallelujahs' or 'amens' haha. That makes it easy.
The people here also love family. So when we teach that families are together forever they usually latch right on and give a few 'hallelujahs' or 'amens' haha. That makes it easy.
A
tender mercy this week happened when we went over to a part
member families home for dinner. She is a member but her husband and
kids are not. Her son is 10, daughter 8, and other son is 5. We have
gotten to know them really well and we love when they have time in their
busy schedule for us to come over. It is neat to see the bonds that
grow as you love and listen to people. Well, we saw the mom at the
church building for Wednesday night activities and she asked us if for
the lesson we could talk about baptism. She felt that her kids were
ready and they had been asking about baptism. We (the sisters) had
gained their trust and made them feel comfortable enough to approach us
when they were ready for baptism. In the past, others have confronted
them, or asked them right away to be baptized, which threw this family
off a little bit. I was so excited when she told us that they are ready
and want to start working towards baptism for her two children!
This week we also:
- helped a family move
- professionally organized a home
- almost ran out of miles
- drove to raleigh at 5 am
- ate Brunswick stew (look it up)
- said goodbye to the senior missionaries and had a pizza party
- got yelled at by an angry mom
- looked for chicken eggs
- got asked how many husbands we have (polygamy thing)
- had the best curry of my life
I
have loved serving here, but being in a place too long means you get to
know people too well, resulting in LOVING them. Love is a hard thing.
It is so good, but so bad at the same time, haha. Everyone here is so
heart broken when I tell them I am being transferred. Which is so nice
to hear, but hard to think about. I have truly seen a change in myself
and have no one else to thank but my Savior. And for that I am
grateful. Elder Talmage says, "the capacity to be grateful is a
blessing..." and it is. I love being able to say prayers each and every
day because I have felt unworthy of all the blessings I have been
receiving. Serving a mission has really opened my eyes to how many
things I have been privileged to have, yet, it has helped me gain so
much more.
I love you so much and hope you have a great week :) Don't forget about me and know that I think about you ALL the time!!!
<3 Sister Mallory Golden
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