Week 33: Seeing Clearly

Good afternoon!

What’s this? A scenic view of Kentucky as we drive along? Groundbreaking.

There are so many trains in Bowling Green, and they seem to be loudest right when we need to be going to bed.

Can you believe we’re already halfway through this first transfer in Bowling Green? But I was only referring to myself, so I guess this was a use of the royal we.

Happy to report that all the hermanas I live with are all so beautiful and lovely!

Anyway, May is drawing to a close, and summer is here! It’s been in the high 80s and low 90s all week. I can’t believe how fast time is moving. My most avid readers will remember back when I had barely made it through a transfer, and now I’ve been a missionary for almost eight months. Truly astounding, and truly so much more to learn.

Hermana Aguilera and me after giving our talks!

I feel like I say this every time, but seriously: So much happened this week. Hermana Aguilera and I hosted one of the live events, We Believe Live, for the page, because Hermana Reddish needed to get mouth surgery. I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for the first time in my life and learned that sports bar trivia is astonishingly easy. I gave my first talk as an official missionary, and it was really fun! But you’d think you would have much more time to work on a talk than you actually do. Apparently missionary work is very busy.

Franklin South reunion with Elder Myers!

Zone conference was this week! And it was truly one of the best times of my life. Hardcore fans might remember Elders French, Nelson and Myers. Well, they were all this zone conference, along with my beloved Hermana Petersen! It was so exciting and happy. I’ve also felt so blessed that even though I’ve been put into a completely new zone and basically flung across to the other side of the mission, I still had so many friends to say hi to and show my love!

Look at me and Hermana Petersen!

Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis came to speak for this conference, and I think that the word powerful is still an understatement. Elder Aidukaitis has a spirit that completely dominates. I sincerely believe he’s one of the most Christlike people I’ve ever had the pleasure to be in the same room as. I learned so much about how to become the missionary that I want to be, and the entire experience made me so excited to improve! I felt encouraged to do and be better in every aspect of missionary work, instead of hopelessly writhing around at my lack of ability, which sometimes happens when I’m trying to take advice to heart.

A typical day in missionary life.

There were so many things that I needed to hear from this zone conference, but one of my favorites was found in a thought that stems from this verse in Ether 12:

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

“Dispute not because ye see not.” As a missionary, you have to work all the time. Especially on yourself. And sometimes the fruits of our labors aren’t evident right away. As I try to improve the way I teach, serve, and love, it isn’t automatically clear. But that doesn't mean it’s not there.

Life is so much about trust. In God, in other people, and in yourself. I’m growing in that, and as I do, my mission and my life get better. And it can do the same for you, too.

— Always and forever,

Hermana Newton