Week 22: A Turn for the Better

Well, this week sure did happen.

Out here in Columbia, the weather finally seems to be going in the direction the locals want, but don’t worry! We have lots of rain in this week's forecast! More on that next week.

Some evidence of how much I really do be loving Saints (ft. Bibble, the Columbia Quad mascot)

I tried to make last week's email as uplifting as possible, but truth be told, there were some points in the week where I was what some experts would describe as down in the dumps. I’m not quite sure why, since my physical copy of Saints: No Unhallowed Hand arrived on Thursday. If I’m anything, I’m a fan of Saints. Also, Hermana McConkie and Sister Brown from Spring Hill came here on exchanges. And they’re some of my favorite people!

Hermana Stevenson and me with Hermana McConkie (far left) and Sister Brown (far right). They are the coolest and I love them!

The real problem is that I have felt like none of the people we’re teaching are progressing, and as a missionary, it is really easy to get yourself to feel like that’s your fault. Obviously, we’re always trying to improve and to be better, but there is nothing we can do to persuade people to want the gospel. And that can really, really suck. Especially when you let yourself wallow, which I can be prone to do. Fortunately, as I was able to learn, there’s always hope.

The iconic Columbia B team at zone conference.

First case: Zone Conference!

I am blown away by how much more I love zone conference every time. This round, I wrote seven pages of notes! It is so fun to learn and grow and be edified. Seriously, I learned so much. Let’s try to  cover only a couple of those things.

1. God has a plan for us, and if we trust Him in it, we will help the people we need to help and be helped by the people who need to help us. This does not always go the way we envision it. It often never goes that way. But, even though there are times when I question, this is where I’m supposed to be.

2. We watched this video about David Whitmer’s involvement in the translation of the Book of Mormon. To summarize part of it: Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith asked if they could stay with David’s family to finish the translation of the plates. David’s parents were hesitant, feeling that David should wait until they finished plowing the fields before bringing these two extra mouths to feed into their home. Their sentiment was that if Joseph and Oliver were doing the work of the Lord, the Lord would find a way to make it happen. 

David went to work plowing, but the job was laborious. He constantly ran into rocks he had to toss aside, and as he looked out into the field he couldn’t seem to get close to finishing, he felt helpless. But the next morning, as David went out to work, the fields were completely plowed. He was able to start hastening the work of the Lord. It was a miracle. 

Missionary work is a lot like working that plow. Over and over again, a rock is in your way. It feels like all the odds are against you, and they will never swing in your favor. And even though the miracle does happen, you still have to be out there, working that field for hours on end. There will be moments when you feel helpless, and weak, and inadequate. You will only be able to see the obstacles. But you will find yourself on the other side. Which brings me to:

The Bartles gave us yummy food and we took this picture to thank them.

Second case: Literal Hope

We found someone new to teach whose name is Hope! Seriously! She is the kindest, most beautiful spirit. She’s gone through a lot of really hard trials in her family these last few months, but that doesn’t stop her from living up to her name. We’ve given her a Book of Mormon and extended a soft baptismal date, which she’s accepted! Her heart is so open, and she is eager and ready to commit. I am so excited for her and all of the joy this gospel has in store, if she only reaches out to receive it.

Me holding the beautiful cake made by Sister Bartle. I know I’m holding it as if I myself made it, but I wanted to clarify I am not that talented (surprisingly)

Third case: The Scripture of the Week

When it comes down to it, life is hard. But I know that it’s also unimaginably worth it. In 2 Nephi 31 (one of the best chapters ever, period), it says:

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

—Here’s to hoping,

Hermana Newton