Then Sings My Soul: I Am My Mother's Daughter

Written 10/5/14

The terrible moment I realized I left my scratch paper of notes at the house. So. I don't know what I was going to tell you all.

I guess first of all, WELCOME to baby Chloe! You all think you can just have babies willy nilly while I'm here in another country and can't hold them... Just plain mean. That's okay though.

This has been a really long and really good week. I have met a lot of really hard headed people, but we've seen some miracles here too. Faith is something we need a large daily dose of. Probably twice a day. Or as often as needed.

I've learned a lot on my mission, and I've learned that most of this I SHOULD have learned at home, from my mom, before I even came here. Some things Mom taught me that I have seen here in the mission:

1. Everything looks better in the morning.

On Thursday, we had one of those days where it's 15 million hours long. Almost every one of our investigators refused to even pray. PRAYER. Possibly the easiest and quickest commitment and commandment. And we couldn't get ONE investigator to pray. In PMG we learn that "No one can learn of spiritual truths without prayer." And its true. None of our investigators that refuse to pray never progress. Even if they read or come to church, they cannot know until they ask. So. That was our day. And we got home and I was ready to pull out my hair and drop on the ground, but I was scared of spiders, so I didn't. BUT. God is good. The work doesn't stop because people refuse to pray. It goes on. And everything really does look better in the morning.

2. Patience is a virtue.

If you know my mom, you probably also know that she is one of the most patient people you'll ever meet. I seriously don't know how she does it. I remember Elder Bednar once said, "Sometimes we pray for success, and we are blessed with more patience." It's true. The Atonement of Christ doesn't always just fix all our problems right away, but it enables us to do what we need to be able to endure. My patience was tested a lot this week, but I was able to see the Lord strengthening my ability to not yell and scream at my investigators when they didn't do the things I know would make them happy. And that there is a miracle.

3. Love changes you, and those whom you love.

My mom is the best at loving those who are hardest to love. And on the mission, almost everyone is hard to love for some reason or another. Yet how is it that missionaries come home and can't stop talking about those they love so much that they left in the mission field? This work changed my heart and my ability to love these crazy, hard headed, and beautiful people. And there's always room for one more. When we show our love to others, they see themselves for who they really are. They realize that we want the best for them, they become more patient with us, and their self esteem is raised. I testify that charity is an attribute that trumps all others. And it never fails.

4. Laughter is the best medicine.

Our hilarious part from this week: Sister Santos and I coming home one night this week to a spider as big as Aragog in Harry Potter, and our adventures trying to drown him in 2 types of bug spray, screaming in terror as we sprayed with all our might. Ahahah. I want to watch that part of my life on the omniscient YouTube that's surely in heaven.

If I could list everything I've learned from my mother, it would fill several books, but for now, we'll leave it there.

C., our progressing investigator, is amazing. She brings all her little kids to church and makes comments in class and reads the Book of Mormon every day. She is on track to be baptized on October 25th (Sister Santos' birthday!) and we can't wait. :) Not too much else happening but we're kicking this area into gear with a lot of Faith in Christ and lots of hiking through these wicked sweet mountains.

Remember, my loved ones, the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say, "the work is done".

Halong gid,

Sister Luke

1. Flashbacks to Toy Story, where there's that short film, and the grandpa is playing chess with himself? This member is 99 years old. And still playing chess.