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Get Ready
Okay so Monday we didn’t have
enough miles to drive out to the stake center for P-Day so we just went to our
chapel with all the sisters, it was good we got to know them more and we all
were able to go out to lunch together.
Also a less active family invited
us over for dinner and their daughter just turned eight and they want us to
help prepare her for baptism because she hasn’t been going to church and
doesn’t know a whole lot. So now they are going to have us over every other
week for dinner and lesson:)
Later that week We saw sister
Sjuts and she’s still been reading in the temple pamphlet. She had us explain
to her a bunch of the words and she seemed very happy that day.
Our appointment with Ramone stayed
and it was a pretty good lesson on his back porch. He didn’t really grasp the
full restoration but it could have been the language barrier.
Thursday, Call comes in at 6:39
this morning, it's Sister Schwendinger, and she's asking if we can take her to
urgent care. So for three hours we sat in the waiting room at an urgent care
where our poor Sister friend, Sister Schwendinger got tested for the flu. Some
guy in the lobby invited us to a fish cook off at his church, he even texted
his pastor and asked if the Mormon missionaries could join in, I'd go.. But I
hate fish.
But anyway, we went to drop her
off only to have her throw up outside the car a few feet from their home. She
stopped for a minute as the cars drove by and said "wow that was
humiliating."
Then we came home, had a late
breakfast, took a quick shower and went out to see Sister Sjuts. We just read
the book of Mormon this time. She talked about her frustrations that she gets
too frustrated with people. I could relate.
Then we went home. Started our
studies that were primarily focused on... Billy Thompson. He source
of my anxiety and anticipation. The Thompsons, the cute Methodist
family of 9. If I had to guess with no prior knowledge, I would have guessed
they would be Mormon. Honestly, they have it more together than the most of us. But
anyways.. We studied and studied and tried to figure out what to teach them. We
drew blanks, but we felt it needful to focus on the Book of Mormon.
So ALL DAY I was worried about
this lesson. From dawn to 6:15pm
We walk in and it's the cutest
home, cutest family. That was a home where the spirit definitely is present,
there's no doubt about it. Billy and his family are just down
right good people. They didn't mind the elders in the past, he said he didn't
continue meeting with them because they were busy. They asked about a million
questions about us as missionaries personally. Then Billy
admitted that he stopped his search on the book of Mormon because he saw it as
something completely separate from what he knows. His wife didn't know a whole
lot so we just simply taught the restoration. We asked
them if they would be willing to find out if what we are saying is true. Pause.
They admitted that they were good in their faith and they weren't looking for
anything more. Billy opened up, he said he felt that the elders in the past
were a bit condescending. Like they were just trying to preach at him, instead
of just talk about God with him.
I felt Impressed to tell them that
we didn't just want to shove our religion down their throat. And that we
recognize that they have a strong faith in Christ, we respect it and we believe
that something from their years of experience could help us to.
OH well he lit up after that,
everything changed. He felt as if that was the kind of mutual respect they had
wanted established. And they would love for us to come back as long as they can
share their thoughts as well.
I think with this one, we just
need to be friends, with mutual respect - first. That's the step that needs to
be taken. I want them to come to know the truth so bad. So badly, nearly with
all the energy of my soul. I love this family, I want to see them accept the
gospel, but I will definitely take time and a building block of trust. I just
really hope they keep the door open for us.
PRAYERS
Then we saw our dear Danielle and
Eli. Eli hasn't been reading and he still has the question about being baptized
again that he can't seem to get past. But he brings it up all the time because
we know he wants to get past it.
Danielle just yelled this whole
lesson, that women cracks me up.
She turns to me and says "who
should I listen To, God or man?" "God" "right well God told
me to speak up so I SPEAK UP!"
And oh boy does she know how to
speak up.
But hey she helped us get Eli to
say the closing prayer so all is well that ends well am I right?
Friday we Found out today that
Sister Schwendinger has the flu, she's quarantined 3 days inside. Well I woke
up with a scratchy throat. No big deal probably just Allergies? Something like
that. Yeah? Day continues.. Throat, eh a little more scratchy. Then coughing
every so often becomes more often than not.
Fast forward to the end of the
night and my body is aching... And shoot.
16 months I've made it without
getting sick and I'm FAILING MY STREEK.
We went by the Keller’s and
invited them to the ward social Friday tonight. Steven is such a good guy we
just want to get his wife on board.
Then we went by Hazel, she's just
a sweet old black women that says things like "finna" and not even to
be slang but just like it's a language. She told us stories about her late
husband and asked us to come around more, missionaries taught her in the past
but she wasn't really keeping up with commitments. Hopefully things are
different this time around, she's a real sweet lady.
She very Sternly told us were not
aloud to be in her complex after dark and If she found out we were she would
woop us, I believe her.
The ward social was awesome, not
many ward members came so that was disappointing but Steven Keller came! With
two of his kids. They all seemed to really enjoy it. Everyone was so welcoming
to them. I hope he keeps coming around and that this motivates him to meet with
us and make the time to read.
We played family feud and it was
hilarious. I don't remember anything from the outside world.
"Things you
do in the car"
"Put on make up"
"Yeah, us guys do that in the
car so women don't judge us."
And… here’s how the week ends.
Quarantined.
3-5 days.
Rough stuff man. Saturday I was
pretty ill. Like I mean I just laid in the floor with a sweater, and a hoodie
and windbreaker jacket, under two blankets.
And I couldn't get warm, but later
in the day I started to feel at least more decent so we went out.
Got home that night and it started
all over again.
Sunday morning I woke up and I
just knew we couldn't go to church, I took my temperature - 102.4
So problem there, Sister
Schwendinger have the flu so that means no missionaries at church.
We told our mission doctor that I
was feeling sick (gave minimal details) so I would go stay with the Sister
Schwendinger and so my companion and her companion could go to church.
And she immediately requested I go
to urgent care. She told me i was quarantined 3-5 days and not aloud to shake
anyone's hands for 10 days.
So, we go to urgent care.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnddddd Sister
Sorensen has the flu.
Then... then.
Sister Pulse (our mission doctor)
and President requested then that I and Sister Schwendinger stay at her home in
the guest bedroom for a couple days and she would take care of us and our companions
would work together.
Another problem, transfers are on
Tuesday and Sister Schwendinger is getting transfered. But Sister Pulse told us
she talked to President Clark and he will just delay her transfer, and figure
something out with our companions. I made it pretty far without getting sick
and let me tell you, getting sick on your mission is like the worst possible
thing. Ever.
So Sunday evening I went to Sister
pulses home.
Last night just watched church movies
with Sister Schwendinger and laid in bed. The ward is
the sweetest of all to us, everyone has
been texting us and reminding us they are praying for us and Sister
Gunnels made us soup and the Drennans
brought us cookies. Everyone has been feeding us dinner in bed. They are
so good to us
Before we went to bed Sister Pulse
came in and said she was inspired to do this and I believe her. She
reminded us tonight “Sisters this is from the Lord that you are
both here, not me.”
We got priesthood blessings and I was reminded
that my mission is not yet over and I have
much to accomplish. That I might not see the seeds I plant
bear fruit, but they will bear fruit.
What a reminder, I needed that.
This week certainly didn’t turn
out like I thought it would, but I have just felt so much peace and love from
the lord and the people around me.
-
Sister Sorensen🌞
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