Sister Chelsea Cloward: Life is beautiful despite the struggles...

Ya know, it never ceases to amaze me how well the Lord knows me. Tuesday i went to transfer meeting with so many emotions, not knowing who my new companion would be and if i made the best decision for serving people by staying. At transfer meeting, they didnt announce me or my new companion, so i just stood there like shoot! Maybe i am suppose to go home? Hahah super awkward but nonetheless things got situated and my new companion is Sister Wray from American Fork Utah! Oh i just love her to bits and pieces. She's in her second transfer, so thankfully training her has been a piece of cake. She has one of the most beautiful testimonies of the Atonement, because she has had to rely on it and apply it so valuably in her life. I wish i could share her story, but it's not mine to share. She is a sassy and stubborn one so us two together is pretty funny but i have learned a great deal of humility lately, so we haven't had any disagreements of bad experiences yet. The Lord really knew we needed each other. At transfer meeting, i asked President Stoker for a blessing, so that was her first experience of getting to know me. His blessing was so beautiful. He talked a lot about my patriarchal blessing, and blessings that my stake president spoke of (of being healed) and that they will come about. He spoke of the friendships i am creating now that are eternal ones. He said that every prayer being spoken in my behalf with be answered, that i am literally answering peoples prayers. He told me that the hours i give in a day will be sufficient and successful and that the Lord will bless me with putting people in front of me. He blessed me that i will touch and change the lives of thousands. He told me that i will be in tune with my body, and knowing what i need. He then talked about my future... being a powerful mother in zion and an even powerful wife, neighbor, and missionary in my everyday life, that missionary work will always be a big part of my life. There were so many other incredible things spoken but im a space brain and cant remember. Nonetheless, it was exactly what i needed to hear, and exactly what i needed to put into practice. I have truly felt the presence of angels. He told me that i am a miracle, and i know it to be true. I'm still just amazed at how far i have come in life in the past 5 years... What Heavenly Father has thrown at me and what Jesus Christ has helped me battle, and conquer. Miracles occuring on my own behalf was not something i expected to experience daily on a mission to serve others, but they are, and they are because they are in turn blessing other people. I seriously feel like i am the happiest person in the world right now. And after this week of battles... that statement itself proves there is a God.

So ready for the week?

One, i had the stomach flu for 3 days, (and yes, mom, i did rest a little bit each day)

Two, one of our investigators is in a mental institution... but she is so dang solid. she is so eager to learn. But yesterday we found out why she is there. She got mad at her boyfriend, so she made a bomb and blew up his car. Needless to say, i wont be getting her mad!

Three, we stopped at Ken's for a surprise visit and caught him smoking. He kinda hid it, but i saw it.At the end of the lesson (which the spirit told us to quickly get out of there) he said he wanted to speak to me privately, and he told me that he had been prescribed medical marijuana because his pain patches arent working anymore... and that he is so embarrassed he doesnt even want his kids to know. So, we went straight to our knees and prayed so hard to know what to do... We were prepared for a major lesson the next day on addiction and what not and knowing Ken, the lesson would NOT have been received well (yes, he wants to follow christ so bad, but he is one prideful and stubborn person!) Well, turns out if it's prescribed, they can still get baptized (however that did not ease my worries!) So the next day on the way to his place, he called and said today wasnt a good day, and i stopped him and said now tell me right now, was that a cigarette or marijuana, and he said marijuana and was shocked we couldnt smell it... so the baptism is still on for now. We'll see how it plays out... just pray extra extra hard for me and sister wray to know what to do! We need a miracle with him.

Four, Saturday i challenged Sister Dawbin to pray for a missionary opportunity, shortly after we left their home, an old friend called her and said i miss the feeling i have when im around your family and i know your church is a big part of your life, i want to get baptized, i'll be at church tomorrow! MIRACLE!!! except she didnt come to church... ahhh people!

Five, we have been working with a LA who is wanting to work towards the temple, well after telling us she doesnt smoke and what not... we caught her smoking too. But she came to all 3 hours of church!!! Progress!

That basically sums my week, i think. We taught a lot of people on the street, and had a lot of unplanned service opportunities. The Lord seriously is placing everyone in my path and helping me see that if i rely on Him, He will provide. The biggest miracle of the week though is just Sister Wray. I prayed so hard for a companion that saw the importance of relying on the spirit, and she sure does. She was a problem child in her last 2 areas (she got emergency transferred) but we just love each other so very much and our Lord and i'm trying to set the example of obedience so that there wont be any problems here! Im seriously so glad she likes me, she's like you Mikenna! She thinks im the weirdest person in the world cause i sing everything to her, but eh she'll get over it.

Mom, you asked me what i want for my birthday, yes you asked a tad bit early didnt you! But! I know what i want! EVERYONE WHO IS READING THIS. You are now being held accountable to follow through on my request, so if you dont want to be held accountable, stop reading. But, for my birthday, i want each and every one of you who is reading this to find your nearest missionary and do two things. One, ask them for a copy of a Book of Mormon, write your testimony in it, and then send it to me. I want sincere testimonies in the copies i give out here to the New Englanders. I feel strongly that your voices need to be heard by the people i meet! So please do it! and Two, pray about a name you can give to your local missionaries!!! Then ill have the best birthday ever! And mom, a GPS would also be nice for a birthday gift... Or just some homemade rolls.

Well, im happy. Im happy i decided to stay, because i know the Lord wants me here. This mission is so dang hard. People are so hard and physically i am running on the Lord's energy, but IT IS SO WORTH IT. I'm taking this mission not one day at a time, but one moment at a time, and being in tune with my body has helped me get through some of the hardest moments. But i have been given so so so many crazy blessings and promises, that i would be a fool not to take advantage of them by simple doing my part in serving the Lord here in Augustar, Maine.

Life is beautiful despite the struggles. We've just got to seek the beauty.

Love!!! Sister Cloward