Happiness Hope Gratitude

Sept 9, 2013

This week has been a happy week. Happiness is all around. I swear when you have an attitude of gratitude everything falls in and out of place, but everything works out for our good. Always always always. I've switched my prayers instead of asking for things, just simply praying in thanks for things that have happened, and applying my faith for things that i HOPE to happen.

 

So the first thing i am grateful for this week, was Morrighans baptism. It brought to many people together, but most importantly it brought the spirit to people who have been seeking it. All she could say after was "i cant stop smiling" and to be honest none of us could. Sure love that sweet girl.

 

Im grateful for a God who knows what i need to hear, repeatedly. Today i was reading in Moroni 9 and in verse 18 Moroni says that he is only a man, and only has the strength of a man. Sister Cloward. You are not superwoman so stop trying to save the world. I definately need to recognize that my body is weak because it is not yet immortal. My body is weak because it has flaws and a human nature. Our spirits are of Godly nature, and though they can still weaken, it is so much stronger than my body. My physical strength cannot move mountains, but the faith of my spirit can.

 

Im grateful for change. Im grateful that this week i have been able to see change the weather, the leaves, my members, my investigators, and me. Change is good, because it pushes us to look at life in another way. It helps us reflect on the everchanging lives we are living. Change helps us see how far we have come. It allows us to be closer to Christ. It allows us to come back to Christ.

 

Im grateful for no more blasted flies in my apartment. Although my ninja skills are probably gonna get a little rusty... oh well.

 

Im grateful for a companion who is teaching me how to lift the feeble. She is teaching me love at a greater capacity. She is allowing me to apply my baptismal covenants of mourning those that mourn, and comforting those who stand in need of comfort. She is so great.

 

Im grateful for polar pops/ mountain dew voltage and all the new circle k's that are now in my area so i can survive when i only get 2 hours of sleep a night. and im also grateful for not sleeping well. it truly allows me to rely on my father and savior even more. It enables me the decision to either completely rely on their strength, or do nothing.

 

Im grateful for members who have given me their trust and their love! It makes the work so much more effective and powerful.

 

Im grateful I WILL BE IN AUGUSTA ANOTHER TRANSFER WITH THESE LOVELY MEMBERS! 6 months strong.

 

Im grateful for letters!!!! AHHH to all you many people who show me so much love and encouragement by writing me, know that i am so grateful for them.Mom, i dont know who jocelyn ferguson is, but she drew me a very pretty picture of a rainbow and her and me as missionaries. Tell her they are now hanging on my fridge and made me so happy!

 

im grateful for tender mercies such as this one. ready for a laugh everyone? and trust me... i wasnt laughing at the time. tuesday a name came to mind in the morning as i was getting ready of a guy my age who would sit in lessons for mo's mom so the elders could teach her (he was her neighbor). later that day, we were teaching a lesson to mo, and in walks that person (who in all my many months of being here, his name has never been brought up) so after we finish our lesson, we go out to the balcony to leave and the guy was out there talking to one of our Investigators. Long story short, i asked if he was interested in learning more about Christ and taking the lessons, to which he replied "yeah i mean im way interested. Can i get private ones with you? i could teach you a few things." i persist in telling him i am 100% dedicated to the lord, and i cannot leave my companion. He then asks when my day off from the church is, and if he could get my az address so he can visit me. it started to get super uncomfortable, and s. wray DOES NOT SAY A WORD TO HELP BAIL ME. we left, and i was pretty certain i would be getting ET'ed. Well, the next day, we found out he is now in jail and will no longer be a problem. Sad day. Makes me wonder why his name came to my mind that morning.

 

Another crazy story is a man who stopped me a few months ago and started chatting with me (who wasnt interested in the church but gave me his card and said come follow me to my house and talk with me about special education and what not) died this past week. we sent the elders over there a few weeks ago to make sure the situation was kosher. Anyway, he died walking his dog from falling and bleeding out before anyone found him. Life is so precious... It makes me want to be ever so more valiant in heeding promptings from the Lord, and speaking to EVERYONE. But, we do what we can.

 

Thank you for all the love and support. I never knew such happiness was obtainable here on earth.

 

Love,

 

Sister Cloward