Honestly!!

National Donut Day!!

My lack of motivation to write a group email is just getting out of hand. So I will just start writing and see where it takes me. I looked over and compared (don't do it!) to what Sister Z was writing and I was like.... "Wow I really need to step up my game!"

We got to do a lot of service this week for ward members so that was good. We are really putting our heart and mind into getting to know them! We didn't find as many new people to teach this week but it was still a really good week!

SPOT CLEANING WALLS. Brought back memories of Durham... haha. It's a touchy subject. Honestly, spot cleaning walls... is soo............. GREAT! But I can never see a difference. But they always can. So it's a miracle! It's like in Ether 12:4, you only receive the witness after the trial of your faith! Because I never see it... lol

But something else that reminded me of Durham was when I got to see my wonderful Durham companion at a Tri-Zone Conference! I LOVED SEEING HER. She is the greatest. And we accidentally coordinated! Just like the old days. "We're really doing it, aren't we?" That was our catch phrase that she would always laugh at. Anyway, they gave me an update of the area and the people they were teaching and it just made me happy.

See but here's the thing. I've talked about Durham a lot in this email and I'm hear to tell y'all that I am finally truly loving the Raleigh Zone. I just felt terrible when I couldn't hop on board when the Zone Leaders would say that we were in the "best zone in the mission." But now... I can see so many benefits of being here! I love it!!! And I love Knightdale so much!! And I love my lil trainee too!

Our attempt at fried rice :)

Shout out to her for finishing her first six weeks! There are so many times I feel inadequate as a trainer and then my Heavenly Father reminds me that it is okay and that it is not all my responsibility. She already has a rock solid testimony of the gospel and is constantly striving to be obedient and improve herself. It makes "my" job so easy. I love her.

And we laugh a lot. So that's always a plus too. And we even got ice cream this week! After she begged me a lot haha. Wow that comment sounds controlling... but it wasn't intended to be.

OKAY... now... the more serious part...

If I was to look back on this week and say what I learned from this week, I would say enthusiastic endurance!!! We had soooo many appointments fall through this week but we were still super upbeat (for the most part) and we were still determined to find a lot of meaningful things to do. I say that not to make people feel bad for us... but to show that we are happy because we have the gospel of Jesus Christ!

We were able to learn SOOOO much at our zone conference with the General Authority, Elder Corbridge! It was wonderful. His wife bore powerful testimony of the gospel and how we need to make the most out of the little time we have here on the mission. We cannot rob another missionary their experience they have worked so hard for. That really put a lot of my selfish desires in perspective for me. It was so humbling to hear. This work is not about me. It really isn't. It isn't about my weaknesses and my shortcomings. It isn't about my fear and my pride.

This work is moving forward whether we want to join or not. It has been inspiring to see so many people want to help out and join in whatever way they can.

I love the Lord and I love my mission. Yeah it's hard to stay focused, and motivated, and strong, and diligent. But the Lord has patience with our shortcomings and He will strengthen us every day.

DO all you can to help! :) This gospel is one of action! :)

BYE! :)