Transfer calls came in, and I am staying in Braga with Sister Warburton! I am excited because she is one of the best friends I´ve made on the mission. But if you want to all start praying that I go to Madeira that would be great :)
This week was pretty normal. Two of our investigators broke up with us. It was interesting how they used all the classic break-up lines: "It´s not you; it´s me" "I just have to follow my heart" "We will still be friends". I didn´t realize that these same lines existed in Portuguese as well as English. :) It was sad, and also really weird. We were talking about it afterwards, thinking that if they truely were seeking with a pure heart and real intent, they would have received the answer that these things are true. But as we talked about them, we realized that both of these women seemed to be searching to kind of prove themselves right, rather than the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints. It was interesting to see how agency is the only think that impedes progression... The gospel IS perfect, it´s just US that aren´t.
It kind of seems like Heavenly Father is helping to "clear the field" so that we know who to really focus on in this transfer. This is going to be Marta's transfer to join the church, I can feel it. She´s our little Brazilian and she is really progressing--and is accepting and living the commandments as we teach her, and her niece (who she is looking after) is now starting the young women's program. So we have a few people to keep working with, and no doubts a whole bunch more to find over the next few weeks! I'm just really grateful to be staying with Sister Warburton. Honestly, Braga is quite a spiritually draining area; our spiritual "shields" and protections seems to be a bit more battered by this area by the end of each day than in my other areas. But I really do love it here, especially the ward--they are just fantastic, and we're really a part of the family here. It was wonderful yesterday in Church because we just felt a huge LOVE from and for them.
I read an article by President Henry B. Eyring this week and one part really stuck with me, and I just feel like I should share it:
"It is not surprising that we feel from time to time nearly overwhelmed. Your thought that `I´m not sure I can do this´ is evidence that you are understanding what it means to be [a missionary, a priesthood holder, a member missionary, a disciple of Christ] .The fact is that you CAN´T do it by yourself! The responsibility is far too DIFFICULT and far too IMPORTANT for your mortal powers."
I can feel how true this is every day. Some days I wake up and just think, I can´t do this today. So I just put my feet on the ground, and then Christ carries me all day. Or I just open my mouth, and then the people teach themselves. The fact is, this life, or a mission, is HARD. And we just can´t do it. But Christ can, and already has. And all He wants it that we get in the backseat while He drives us there :)
I am officially "over the hill" today.... I am in my 7th transfer with 5 left. It´s really really weird. It kind of feels like everything is a dream. But at the same time that nothing is.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you tons!
Love,
Sister Gidney
P.s. Us with Angelo, the son of a member (he´s 7) and their cat Mia. and then a house
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