Week 96

Hey y'all!

Another week in the bag. This week was interesting, and it was honestly filled with some intriguing struggles. I think, as I have said before, the struggles we have are able to refine us into someone better, and I am faithful that is true. I have loved being here and serving my Heavenly Father, and I have seen SO much divine help—it is insane.

My new mission president arrived this past week! He is a lot different than my last one, haha. He is very laid back, casual, and is focused on the conversion of the missionaries. I have loved getting to know him and working with him thus far. Something he mentioned to me is, "You look WAY more handsome than you do in the picture they give me." I sat there dying laughing, and trust me, you would know EXACTLY what he is talking about if you saw that picture they gave him too. I am excited to see the pace change of this mission and later on be able to check in and see the changes.

This past week, as I said, we experienced some struggles. We saw a lot of rejection and denial coming from new people we tried to contact. It is okay because God gave us agency and we can't force anything, but it is nice to see someone be kind and accept the message of the restored gospel.

We have been working closely with our friends Judy and Crystal lately because they are the two closest to accepting baptism. They both have hold-ups, but man, they are being put through the ringer. I have been able to say with so much confidence that I love and adore these people and their honest efforts to turn their lives into one centered on Christ. I have strived my entire mission to gain the personal conversion that I am happy with, and it is amazing that they have a similar goal.

This past week, something that has been hitting me like crazy is the idea of becoming who God wants me to become. We teach a unique doctrine that we had a life before this one where we dwelled with God in His presence. There, our Spirits were created, and we were called the Children of God. As I think of this idea, I know that within all of us, we have a potential to become something we can't even imagine. With the help of our Savior and our Heavenly Father, we will be able to reach the goals we set. Interestingly, I think becoming who God wants me to be involves me just kind of sitting back and waiting for Him to tell me what to do. However, this week I have realized that God wants me to create myself. He wants me to go out and make myself. It is a scary thought because I sure do not want to mess this up, but that is where God makes me who He knows I am. He shapes us in our trials, our efforts, our failures, our successes. He is with us through it all. I am excited to create myself in my next chapters of life, and I know that He will help me. I spent a lot of time waiting for someone to create me, but now I have realized I have to do it myself, and God will direct me as I try. I love this Gospel that helps me realize who I really am. When we know our true identity, it will give us direction we could not have imagined before.

The mission is great. I have loved being here and learning from so many people every day. Today was also special because my cousins passed through on their way to California. They might not have known it, but the hug I received was so needed. I miss my family so dearly, and it was good to see some people I love so much. I can't wait to see all of you here in just a bit longer than a month and share stories and experiences with all of you! Have a good week, and I hope that all of you can recognize more of the Love of God in your life this week. Talk to y'all later!

Mormon 9:25 - "And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth."