October 14, 2013
Hey all!
I'm seriously at a loss of words. This week has been everything in one. Monday, we had an exchange and I was down in Damariscotta with sister lundahl. We had a pretty sweet miracle. We found and taught a woman named Arneze. She's nuts but then again every mainer is. Our lesson was so incredible. We taught the Restoration, and the whole time she just kept saying "this seems so right. yes, this seems so right. ive been praying that you would come. ive been praying for this message. I've met the JW's, the Pentecostals, all sorts... but your message is so right." We then got interrupted by a knock on the door. Who was it you ask? Oh... just the town sheriff and detective. My mind was going nuts thinking "shoot. your kidding. do not even tell me we are about to get pulled to the sheriffs office." Well, im grateful to say I did not end up in the slammer, rather some crazy mainer decided he really wanted some money so he stole a car and ran it into the hannafords atm (grocery store) got the truck stuck, then took off on foot. silly silly people... Needless to say my Tuesday was good.
WEDNESDAY. ahhhh. so, I guess my body was super tired or something, cause I slept through my alarm (remember how im the lightest sleeper in the world?!?!) and was woken up to a phone call from sister stoker. she told me happy birthday, and that im officially an adult. who wants to hear that?!?! haha she meant well. Then, when getting ready, the medicine cabinet decided it wanted to break and all the shelves came crashing down and liquid was splashing all over me. All I could do was laugh. Our next adventure was to go eat. We went to Water street in Hallowell (super liberal, and a very very same sex centered place) so I just walked into a door, and naturally the 21 year old in me was led to a pub. yep, we walked into the liberal cup pub. we quickly walked out hahah. After, the only person I decided I HAD to see was Ken. He has been MIA so I was praying for a miracle that hed be at his sisters house. We pulled up, asked Dick if he was home, and HE WAS. I spent the next hour in tears. I wish I could just describe how much I love Ken. It'sa love I have never felt before. Ken quietly told me that he just had two surgeries. One, believe it or not was almost identical to mine. Cadaver bone, rods, and a fusion. Only difference is he had one fused, and he didn't brake his bones. He then said that while taking care of that, they found cancer. He is such a fighter. He is such a strength to me. I found myself soon on my knees praying my heart out that God would give me some of his pain. I pleaded and pleaded to give me his licken I find it no coincidence that my back pain has been a lot worse ever since.
Thursday we had a pretty inspirational stop by. A members name came to my mind, we went, and she really opened up about how she is having a hard time. She prayed and told Heavenly Father she couldn't handle the pain anymore, to which the words came "my daughter, if your Savior asked you to take this pain so that He wouldn't have to bare so much, would you?" I knew immediately I needed to hear that. Her strength is unreal. She also made a comment "sometimes Heavenly Father just waits for us to outwardly accept a trial, and then it is taken from us". I sure love my Father.
Friday, we went and met with our Ward Mission leader. Well, that was an epic fail.
Saturday we had lunch with two of my favorite people. Hattie and Sue. They aren't even in my ward.... hahah. We are pretty loved here.
Sunday was a beautiful day. It was a day of change, a day of humility, and a day where the Savior took on a lot of my pains. We were in our meeting with bishop, where he made a comment "sister cloward are you okay? your eyes say it all" I got super frustrated. I had a migraine, but I was happy. I started letting my mind think about all the times I have gotten that comment, and I got even more frustrated. im happy people! why cant they see that? then I was super humbled. I got on my knees, and did a lot of talking with my Father. I realized I need to just be grateful. I need to stop asking, stop expecting, and just be grateful. its amazing how quickly your countenance can change when you are just grateful. I told heavenly father that I was going to rest for a few minutes, but that I wanted to still go out and work. we made a pretty sweet deal. ill go out and work, and be more grateful, and asked Him if He would see me through. We went to our first stop, and the moment I walked in my migraine lifted. we left, it came back. we got to our next apt, it lifted, left, it came back. next apt, it went away, so on so forth. Woweeee. He is so there for us.
Well, President called me this week and told me next transfer he feels strongly I need to be in the office. I had the prompting that day to ask him where he felt I was needed, if there was a companion who needed to be strengthened, if there was an area that needed my help. He called, and answered my question without even asking. I keep getting the prompting I will be surprised at the impact and work I will do in the office. Heavenly Father is certainly blessing me. Im learning to let go and just take things moments at a time. Im pretty stoked cause Elder Gifford Nielsen (the baller 70 who spoke on missionary work in conference) is coming to our mission, and I be in the office to greet him first. so spoiled. Ill be in a trio with Bedford so ill have the ability to go out and teach and find whenever I want. He's taking care of me.
One thing I liked in my studies this week was 3 nephi 3: 20-21 I believe. the Gadianton robbers are threatening the nephites. Lachoneus gathers the woman children and people, and fortifies their city. in 20, the nephties want to go out and fight them, but gidgiddoni basically tells them they are foolish, and to wait. We know there is danger, we know satan is out there, but that does not mean we need to go out and pick a fight with him. We need to prepare, fortify our testimonies, and be ready so that when he does come and try us and tempt us, we will be ready and able to overcome. I love that. The scriptures are so true! I love them with all my heart.
I love you all! thank you for all the birthday love, packages, prayers, strength, and support you give me. I will forever be grateful for the support I feel. THIS CHURCH IS SO TRUE, and I am so grateful the Lord has chosen me to serve Him! So so happy!
Sister Cloward
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