together because people give us "weird looks". I wondered why the
"weird looks" don't even phase me until I remembered all the times my
family of 11 would walk into a restaurant on a road trip and we would
get the same kinds of looks, and you just get used to it. Welcome to
the life of a Mormon.
Howdy! Let's get to it shall we? This week has been a speedy one.
Everyday there is a new challenge, a new triumph, ah ha moment, person
to meet, prayer answered, trial, ect. “Life is full of difficulties,
some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an
unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we
often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting
that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is
required.”–President Thomas S. Monson [Ensign, Nov. 1995, 59]. God
works in marvelous ways, especially when it comes to missionary work.
Marietta is progressing! I am so relieved that she is with standing
all of Satans blows. He works so hard I'm telling ya! Marietta came to
church last week and it was simply beautiful. As we took the sacrament
together tears rolled down her cheeks and she turned to me and said
"This is the first time I've taken the sacrament and realized what it
is for." It was a good reminder to me of the beautiful blessings the
sacrament can bring if we humble our hearts, we can feel the way
Marietta did every week if we do.
Several times a day I meet or have conversations with people and I
think 'I wish with all my heart my family could meet this person'.
There are amazing people out here one of which is a young single mom
of two darling kids. She was baptized a little over a year ago. Her
name is Zuley. I love her so much. She has been having a VERY hard
time right now, her life is and has always been a whirlwind of
unexpected sad events. We go over there to check on her and give her
support and love. The gospel and the 2 angles God has sent her are the
only things keeping her grounded. She is amazing.
The other night we went over to see Zuley. As we sat down and started
talking tears filled my eyes as she shared her concerns, I couldn't
help but have thoughts of 'Why her?' 'Where can she go for peace?'
'Where is the hope in all of this?' It was then when the the words 'I
will not forsake my children' came thundering into my head and heart.
I was then able to listen to the horror stories and still feel peace
because I do have the knowledge and testimony of our redeemer who
saves us and a Father in Heaven who loves us and that love never
changes. Zuley knows that too and I am so grateful that, like me, she
has found it.
I got a fun video from Emma last week. I loved it. Meredith, Vivian
you both look so old already! I also got to chat with Emma last pday
and that gave me a nice boost and kept a smile of my face for days. I
love my family. Speakin of family....we do a TON of family history
work with less actives. As we do so the spirit never fails to come in
strong. I have a testimony of that work, it is important that we all
do it. It helps these members feel the important of finding these
people and then they feel the love and that love motivates them to
take those names to the temple. Next thing you know everyone is
blessed. :)
One thing I've been studying this week is the talk given by Elder
Holland called 'Place No More for the Enemy of my Soul'. It is
beautiful. It talks about the difference between love and lust. I've
had to take a step back and look at the work I'm doing and asking
myself am I loving these people or lusting after them? Love and lust
are not just referenced to romantic relationships. Sometimes as a
missionary we get so caught up in numbers, we lust after numbers,
praise, glory be ours. We must flip it, it must be out of pure love
that we do the things we do. Is my action bringing me and/or this
person closer to Christ? Or is pulling me and/or them away? It's a
fine line. If you guys get sometime I invite you to re-read this talk!
Let me know how it applies to you and what you think.
https://www.lds.org/ensign/
Prayer Roll: Sandy- That her heart will be softened.
Zuley- That she will feel the Lords love.
Kimberlee- She will get an answer to her prayers that the Book of
Mormon is true.
Grandma Rose- That she will come back to church.
Marietta- Feel peace in her decision to get baptized.
One day I'll write a short email. ;) Thank you for your prayers, I
feel them and need them. I am doing swell, it has been a good week and
I'm looking forward to this upcoming one [last one for the cycle].
Winnie! I got your letter, I'll write you back soon! Meredith, thank
you so much for emailing me it made my day. Till next week family and
friends! XO
Love, Sister Olivia Page
P.S. Here is my bishop here in Middletown....
http://www.mormon.org/victor
There is also a Mormon message about him. Cool beans.
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