Hola!!
So I have basically no time
so I’m going to get right to it.
The last night in the MTC was
so incredibly special. We had our district get together and we asked the elders
for priesthood blessings. It was amazing and I am SO grateful for the Priesthood!
It was perfect and I am so grateful that the Elders were worthy and prepared to
use their Priesthood worthily. It always amazes me that even though I get
blessings from different people, it is all from the same person. It doesn’t
matter who has their hands on your head, they represent Jesus Christ and it is
amazing.
Okay, anyways we got to the
field and we got our companions! Mine is Hermana Revolo and she is from Peru! She
is so sweet and she speaks no English so it has been pretty hard this past week
to learn things that I don’t understand. She is so great and I have great news.
I AM TALL HERE! Like she is so so small and it is so cute and I have never felt
so awkwardly tall in my life. I'M NEVER LEAVING CHILE!
But anyways, we all went out
contacting our first day of course and then we had a meeting with everyone,
took pictures, and then left. That was SO INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE saying goodbye. Like I can’t even explain how hard that was. BUT
now I am here making new friends with other missionaries and members and
investigators so that’s good.
Let me just say I understand all of the running
analogies now!! A mission is a marathon! So mile one was the MTC. It was so fun
and all of the excitement to start this marathon was so high. It goes by so
fast. Now I’m at mile 2. 2.5 The initial excitement is gone and I realize that I
have to run in pain for literally 25 more miles. Like what am I doing? What did
I sign up for? I really wish I was sitting on a couch somewhere watching a
movie with my family eating something delicious just resting. Why did I sign up
for a marathon again? I have so much farther to go. BUT because I realized this
is a marathon, I know what is coming ahead! I know that I am not always going
to feel like this. I know that there are going to be hills and walls ahead but
there are also going to be water stops and downhills. There are going to be
miles that fly by. Somehow I am going to learn Spanish. Somehow I am going to
be able to talk to these people and focus on missionary work, not Spanish. Even
if it seems impossible right now.
It’s like Peter when he starts walking on
water. He is literally walking on water. Then when he loses focus on the Savior
and really thinks about what he is doing, he realizes he is doing something
that is impossible. He is doing it! When he starts to doubt what he is doing is
possible, he starts to sink. I feel like missionary work is the same way. Here
we are out here in the middle of nowhere in South America where I can’t even
communicate with the people, not even my companion, but somehow I am doing it. I
open my mouth and words come out. I am taking steps forward even though I can’t
seen an inch in front of me. So I don’t need to worry or think about if this is
impossible. Just focus on the Savior and keep walking. Because in this life, we
are all asked to do things that seem impossible. We are asked to stand up for
things in awkward situations. We are asked to endure trials we never thought we
would have to, but I know that EVERYTHING is possible with the Savior. I know
that we can all accomplish the things we have been asked to do. I know that our
earthly experiences are specifically tailored for us. We are given everything according
to OUR ability.
Sopaipillas. DELICIOUS famous Chilean food. It's like bread with cheese and it is so good and I know I look wrecked. It's because I am, but I'm still happy because I'M IN CHILE
Me at my desk here in Santa Cruz. Yes I am wearing my jacket from Costco. Yes I busted out my ugly shoes and I have worn them twice already. Yes I am going to get fat but guess what, I'M IN CHILE FOR 18 MONTHS, so I'll work it off when I get home. For now I'm going to go with what Elder Covey's dad calls it: a reverse parasite!
YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!
So much love and faith!
Hermana Gardanier
This was our view every day for six weeks. SO BLESSED
No comments:
Post a Comment