Week 27: Plenty Good Room

How’s it hanging?

I don’t even know where to start this week. Partly because I feel like everything happened, but there is no way to adequately summarize it at all! Oh well. Here’s to trying.

Our district is so cute! Sad that two weeks of our transfer were taken away.

As time goes by, I really come to appreciate just how great this district is. The hermanas I live with are absolutely wonderful, and the elders we have are the best. Don’t tell anyone, but Elder Gerken and Elder Hamilton are probably my top two haha. The other elders who came in have also been a treat!

I love the sisters and hermanas here in Franklin so much! They’re the best.

Since I’m page admin for the Franklin page now (go like it if you haven’t already), I actually get to talk with all of the companionships in the zone, which has been really nice! I know most of the missionaries serving here, seeing as this is my fourth transfer in Columbia, but I feel like I really get to be their friend this way! Even though it will be sad when I move over zones and won’t be able to reach out to any of the elders on P-Days. Unless I move missions. Speaking of…

Just a couple of people appreciating a Columbia mural.

I’m starting my visa application for Guatemala! This doesn’t guarantee when or if I’ll even go at all, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that sometime this summer I’ll be on my way to Central America and able to speak Spanish adequately.

We’ve seen so many miracles this week. The people we’re teaching are progressing, and we were actually able to invite someone to be baptized and put her on date yesterday! Her name’s Elizabeth, and she’s the sweetest. She was actually found by the Centerville elders, but since she lives in Columbia, we’re more than happy to take care of her.

Here I am with one of the best comps ever.

It’s interesting, because a lot of things were overwhelming me this week: the responsibility that I have to the page, to my people, and to getting myself to Guatemala. I felt weak, helpless, and lost. It seemed impossible for me to accomplish anything at all. I was truly taken aback by how much I related to the sentiment in Moses 1, where the aforementioned prophet says:

10 … Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.

This idea is easy to dwell on, and to become discouraged by. Which is why I’m grateful that we have Ether 12. It reads:

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Yes, we’re weak. Yes, we’re imperfect. It’s going to be hard for us to accomplish all of the things that we hope and dream to, and to help all those around us, and to meet all of the expectations that have been made, from others or ourselves. It’s so hard that we literally can’t do it. At least, if we’re on our own. And that’s why we need a Savior. That’s why we need Jesus Christ. Even though so many things about this week have been hard, they have been rewarding, and fulfilling, and joyful. Because even though I’m not perfect, I have been able to give Him room to make me strong. And in exchange, He gives me room to grow even more.

— All my love,

Hermana Newton