Hello familia!
What a week this has been. Well, since I don't know where to start we will begin with the big news on my mind... Well, the reign of the (Dyker) Heights of the Round Table --as the elders dubbed us at our first district meeting haha-- has come to a dramatic end. Our district leader, Elder Boden is going home. He has three discs in his back that are out of place and básicamente he can't even walk anymore without pain. We were hoping he would just get transferred to a car area and not have to leave but mission medical decided he's gotta go home. He leaves today. We found out Saturday. Because Elder Boden is going home and there's no Spanish trios already in the mission to pull an elder from, Elder Caballero is leaving too. Yeah. We found that out last night when we called in our numbers. He will be transferred to a different area and make a trio elsewhere. Thus, we now have seven missionaries remaining in Dyker with no district leaders. Since they're taking Cabbi out and not bringing someone in we will either remain as a "dating district" just us and the Spanish elders or they will combine us four with the remaining three chino elders.
So, there's that! I'm honestly still in shock about it all but I trust God. I know He puts people into our lives --for whatever time is expedient in Him-- for a reason and I've learned a lot from all these people I've had the opportunity of serving with.
Whoo! So now that we've got all the downer stuff outta the way haha... This week honestly was just crazy. Saturday we had the chance to go serve at the Bishop’s storehouse in Midwood so that was cool! (The elders also brought my package then too --THANK YOU!) Serving there was way cool, but the lady who was kind of in charge for that day was...interesting. Tried really hard to just remember we are all doing what we think is best to get the job done, but there were a few times after she'd said or done something when I had to bite my tongue --literally-- and just work to control my temper. Between packing people’s things, we played outside with the kids of some families who were there helping. It was a lot of fun and overall a great experience, even if I did get a little irritated on a few occasions. ☺
On the way back from the storehouse, we were waiting for the bus and this little girl came over and sat by me. She asked if I was waiting for the bus and I told her we were. She said she was going home with her grandma who was standing off to the side. For the next twenty minutes this little four-year-old girl named Ariana talked to me about anything and everything. She was so precious. Her grandma told her it was time to go and she ran over and gave me a big hug. We said goodbye and she ran off ahead of her grandma, continuing to skip up to every person she passed to say hello. Little kids are amazing. When the scriptures say to become as little children there are numerous applications. Here, what I learned from this little girl was to be happy and to live life. To talk to everything, sharing your light. She simply radiated with love. You could not look at her and then not smile. She was exactly the little ray of sunshine I needed and I'm sure she helped numerous others with her sweet spirit as well.
Friday (sorry, I'm kinda going backwards with what I can remember) we were invited to a birthday party. There were so many people there, it was crazy, but a really good opportunity for seed planting!! It was really fun, and I think it meant a lot to her that we came. We also had service Friday and Thursday at the senior center. When we were eating me and Caballero talked music a little bit. Guess what, dad? He loves Def Leppard too!! I told him the people we've seen in concert together and needless to say, he was surprised when I named them off, but it was Def Leppard that made his eyes get all wide haha! Reminded me of when people from soccer would think you were some stiff who only listened to classical music cause you always showed up to games in suits haha! I guess we don't necessarily project the image of classic rock (maybe that's a good thing haha!)
Anyway... We had a lesson Tuesday with a less active in the ward. We talked to her about temples and she's decided she wants to go through the temple!! We set a date with her and she even came to church Sunday with one of her sons. We've got high hopes for her. We also taught another couple Sunday after church. We're starting over with them. We taught the restoration with Obispo Mendizaba (he was the last bishop). It was really odd. Lots of prayers for them are being said.
Wednesday we had park service and got Five Guys after. It wasn't bad. I love when we get to go do service at the park, getting outside, working, being with people, it's great. We also got a few more less actives to go and see from Hermana Morales who was in this area over nine months ago. We've got an appointment set up with one, but another we can't contact because both numbers we have are wrong and the only way into the area she lives is with a key or if someone lets you in... The door for the apartments is between two stores right by a bus stop we go to every day by our house so we're going to just check every time we're there to see if anyone is going in or at the door who could let us in haha.
We got a few lessons in this week and were really able to feel the Spirit, but we also had a lot fall through. We just gotta keep pushing. I love what mom said in her email, the idea that we are "pressing forward" implies that there is opposition. This work isn't easy and it's not supposed to be!! But it's in the hardest moments when you learn to appreciate the little blessings and tender mercies of every day. That's when I come to know my Savior better. We have been invited to come unto Him and take His yoke upon us, to take His load, His burden, instead of our own by ourselves. In an article I read this week from the Ensign it talked about how a yoke functions. It said the purpose of a double yoke is "to harness a pair of animals so that they can drag a load together as efficiently as possible." It also said when they are made the wood "is fitted to a particular ox’s shoulders, maximizing comfort and pulling force." This custom fitting makes it so that "oxen of unequal size or strength to pull together without one being dragged by the other." I learned a lot from that.
In my personal study this week I learned a lot. There have been so many times I've been able to feel of God’s love this week, I think I needed it. I'm rereading the BoM and the New Testament together. So I've had when I read a few times now where I'll read something I've heard and studied a million times before but I'll have questions come into my head. This happened with something in Matthew 6 this week. I was like, "what am I supposed to be getting from these verses?? I've heard them so many times...what does this set mean?? How do I apply them??" But I got an answer. Of course I did. We always do. Whenever we ask with real intent and search diligently the Spirit will enlighten our understanding.
The same day, literally two minutes later when I was alone, I started to read another talk by Elder Bednar, it took me to 1 Corinthians 1:27 which took me to Jacob 4:6-7. This was a super special experience for me because I read these verses, and when I read in Jacob, I finally, for the first time I can remember, felt like those verses apply to me. I honestly believe that I can do those things because of my faith. I feel that they apply to me. That was a huge tender mercy for me because I've been feeling since being out on the mission that I am lacking in the faith category. But here when I read those verses, coupled with everything else I've been reading, learning, experiencing, I could just feel the Spirit testifying to me, "you know enough. All these things you've been learning are true. Keep goin." I was sitting there and I was just smiling. I looked up and just said a little thank you, and I kid you not, I could feel the hug. I have had many amazing spiritual experiences, nothing grandiose, just little things, but that was all I needed.
I am trying to always remember how I felt then and do my best to make Him proud. In another talk I read by Elder Maxwell it said "meek Enoch reached a point in his discipleship, wrote Paul, when he received a testimony that he pleased God (see Heb. 11:5). Ponder that. One can come to that point where one knows that he or she pleases God." I read that and just thought, WOW. I want to be at that point. I want to know what I am doing is pleasing to God always. I know I'm human and I will make mistakes but because of the Atonement I can repent, and because of the Atonement I can have access to additional strength and power beyond my own capabilities to do His will. Wow.
So this was a great week for personal growth. That makes me excited because once I'm taken care of I can serve others more effectively. I love in Moses 6:31-34 when Enoch asks God, why me?? Why would you choose me?? And God tells Enoch of the blessings that await him and says simply, "therefore walk with me." I LOVE that. He makes our weak things become strong. Now our invitation is to trust Him, take comfort in His strength and ability to make us who He wants/needs/desires us to become, and walk with Him. Man, I love scriptures.
The church is true, guys. Never been more sure of anything in my life.
Well, now that I've got this novel here, I'll send it off haha! Love you lots!!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
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