Missions are great places to learn. The first thing you
learn is humility – even without learning a new language I feel like the
mission would still be a very humbling experience. I've also learned a lot just
from going into lots of different people’s homes. But I've also been able to
learn a lot of things from myself. As one missionary said, here on the mission
all of your weaknesses are “thrown in your face.” And it’s so true. Good thing
God gives us the opportunity to make weak things strong. Otherwise missions
would be a whole lot more discouraging.
Last Sunday after transfers I was murmuring. I was complaining
about things out of my control – not with the intent of improving the situation
-just for the sake of complaining. I just did not really have a great attitude
about the whole thing. Until Monday afternoon when I got an email from my
sister Emily about what she had been reading in the scriptures. “1 Nephi 2:12
talks about Laman and Lemuel…that is true!” Who is the missionary now?! (Cue my
repentance. My Mission President knows best.)
I read a really good article in the January Liahona this
week. It was just a little story about how a little girl gave her teacher a
nice, clean, shiny potato and how we shouldn't wait until we have an “apple”
before we serve others. It’s so true! The author gave a good example – instead of
waiting until you have time to make a homemade card and buy some flowers just skip
the card and flowers and visit the sick person. Don’t procrastinate the day of
your service. I got to see a few examples of this in my ward this week (but they are too confidential to share – sorry!)
We had new missionaries come in this week! They stayed at
our house! All these things that are just a part of life for me now (examples -
you have to use a bucket every time you flush the toilet, and why we eat hot
dogs for breakfast) they were super confused about. It was so fun to be around
new missionaries though. They just have such a great energy. And so much faith!
They literally have no idea what they are getting themselves into, but they are
still here! Still happy! Still excited! Still ready to serve! I’m learning from
that example.
Another perk of living here in Lingsat, we get to host the
missionaries right before they go home! I saw Sister Dizon!! We didn't get to
spend very much time together because she was busy packing and I was busy
preparing our house for the arrival of the new missionaries. But it was so good
to see her even if we just talked for a bit. Something learned – I could
totally get a job cleaning ANYTHING after this. I wish I had taken before and
after pictures of our house! :)
Probably the biggest lesson I learned this week was…don’t
try new hair dye on Saturday night! Oh my gosh. My hair is fire engine red. If
I pull the little curly pieces by my face out I look like a psycho clown. Yup. All
of the Relief Society ladies loved it though. The Elder’s faces were priceless
when they saw it on Sunday morning at church. Their eyes practically bugged out
of their heads. “You look like Ariel. Not the cartoon one. The one at
Disneyland.” Cross your fingers – I’m going to try to fix it today.
I’m also learning A LOT from my new companion. I was praying
to have a companion that I could learn from her example. God answers prayers!
Sister Saguinsin is a great person and missionary.
I still have 5 weeks to try to learn as much as I can! Soak
it all in! And hopefully make it to the beach too.
Sister Saguinsin and me
The new missionaries!
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