Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The One Where I Realized the Mission is a Marathon

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

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