In The Great Wide Somewhere: 10/03/16

"I've been out all day tryna get that rich-ness of blessin's

I've been work work work work workin' on my mish." -Sister Azalea

"This works gonna fix what don't work anymore" -national tribute

"Work hard play hard work hard play hard" -idk but I think it's kalifa

Lately a huge thing that has been popping up is work.

fancy that because the Christ Like attribute I studied the month of September was Diligence.

Don't sit and stew get up and do

-my jr high choir teacher

here are some tidbits of what I have learned

BACK BREAKING WORK IS FUN

more than fun.. it's fulfilling

Diligence is finding joy and satisfaction in the work

It's a lack of distraction, a dash of using time wisely, with a side of keep moving forward. And the main course:

work:)

"I have often said the greatest secret to missionary work is work. Work Work Work theree is no satisfactory substitute." -Ezra Taft Benson

Helaman 15:6

"They are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth."

Go Getter

Goal Setter

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have shewed towards His name in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister and we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end."

Heb. 6:10/11

Steady Consistent Earnest Energetic Effort

For those of you that have returned from missions, I want you to think of a time that you felt super tired on the mission because of the toughness of the work/schedule/dedication surrounding what you did.

JOKES

The reason why you are probably having trouble thinking of a specific time, is because that was probably literally every single day. ;)

But that means you did it right!!!!

YAY hand slap to the back. You earned it.

If you are a parent, or otherwise engaged in a good cause, faith, or occupation you can also relate to this.

I've been told it's these types of exhaustion and work that bring about the most joy and enjoyment of the fruits of these labors. I believe whoever told me that because I have been able to see this.

This week we decided to start blitzing or purging areas in the district.

There are three sets of missionaries in the Crestview district.

Four elders, and us.

We all went to a section of one area and we knocked every door, and talked to everyone in sight and covered a lot of ground.

IT WAS AWESOME

It was honestly so much fun. We met a lot of people got a return appointment, taught people the gospel and felt the Spirit.

a day in the life.

At the end of the day, a full day of work, we recorded our numbers.

basically all 0's

ouch right?

Wrong.

If Abinadi recorded his numbers at the end of the day it would have been basically all 0's

0 baptisms

0 confirmations

0 bcds

0 member presents

1 other lesson

1 new investigator

0 rcla's

but hey... how many people Came Unto Christ because of him?

Summary of Abinadi, Prophet and Martyr

It's not about the numbers it's about the people who see two disciples of Christ happy as ever in 95 degree weather smiling and praying for them and their families on their porches and in the streets.

It's about my favorite part of the letter I got in the mail almost a year ago.

"Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerful serve the Lord in this LABOR OF LOVE among His children."

diligence.

Real talk:

there are times we feel the exact opposite of diligent.

idle-slow-lazy-forgetful-tired-complaining-negative-poor me-

And a lot of these hit hard right before something amazing happens.

and right after. Spiritual high, then crash.

But as I have prayed for the strength to press forward with happiness and a smile on my face, diligence is further written in my heart and happiness is further felt in my soul.

I want to thank the Rocky Mountain Ward Primary for their sweet notes.

Made my whole week! I got your beautiful drawings and words of encouragement and I appreciate and adore them. THANK YOU.

Follow up from last week.. It dawned on me I forgot to mention something..

We have a fenced in deck at this apartment. The whole property is actually a gated community, and there are a lot of policemen/military that live here. On top of that there are security guards on duty 24/7 that this complex hires to keep residents safe.

Crestview is a decently safe place...

(but then again... don't read up on the recent clown issues going on here OR dress up as a clown in Crestview.. you will be arrested even if it's on Halloween.)

anyway..

we left our bikes on the deck thinking they would be safe..

and walked out one day to find.. not Sister Whites bike that's what.

It was gone.

Surprisingly enough mine was still there..

After the shock and frustration wore off.. I joked and said it was because the angels were protecting my bike.

The only reason they didn't protect hers was because they knew she didn't even really need it much longer.

It was a bum deal, but all will be well in zion. Sister White has been a champ about it and I commend her for that.

On that note I have to mention just how lucky I am to have the companions I have had.

Christiansen will forever be one of my best friends and someone I look up to and love like a sister.

Sister Pyper taught me so much about pure virtue. She is calm in crazy situations and taught me to develop confidence in the Lord. I love her.

Sister White is one of the most fun loving, loud laughing, merry people around. I am learning just how fun simple moments can be with the right foreign accent, and a good imagination.

I love her very much as well.

It's so crazy that after this transfer, 2 of my three companions will be gonzo and Pyper and I will be it.

It's also crazy, that I have been so focused on the fact that Sister White is going home that I have only just realized that when that happens... I will be half way done.

That. Makes. Me. Sick.

and causes about a boat load and a half of self reflection with a hint of fear/sadness and thoughts of how in the world I can slow time down because each month goes by faster.

Then there are some of the hard moments that I'm like how in the world can I speed this up because I would probably do some craaazy things for a group hug with my family right now.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but those moments are much farther and fewer. I don't want to be anywhere but here and I love it: HERE

ALL IN

110%

NeverGiveYourSecondBest

NOREGRETS Feb2k16-AUG2k17

lol not sure where that came from

but super pumped because I have been learning lots. Conference was awesome. Bonnie Oscarson threw it down last week and I want to be her when I grow up.

Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion - By Bonnie L. Oscarson

We watched General Conference with one of my favorites: Cherry and Deloris came over so it was like.. perfect. Then we went to Lorraine's -the one we broke out of the retirement home one time. (Story for after the mish) and then we watched priesthood with Ashley and obv you know how much I love her.

Lorraines

Ashleys

Sunday we watched conference at the church with our investigator. She rocks.

But we found out some.. curve ball news...

She is living with her boyfriend. Still love her guts, and we will of course continue to help her in any way that we can, but this is probably going to be a process so pray for her. And us. THE ATONEMENT IS INFINITE.

But on the good side conference was amazing and she felt the Spirit testify to her the truthfulness of the fact that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration and that Thomas S Monson is also a prophet.

Well my 20th birthday is this Sunday and even though I was totally joking about gifts because prayers are all I need, sweet Vicki Rendon sent me a gift and I have to tell her THANK YOU I love you Vicki. You are wonderful.

and family.. I love you so much thanks for successfully getting me through my teens

Hopefully the 20's are far less exciting but way more adventurous. ;)

LOVE YOU