Week 59: It Actually Rains in Seattle

Querida Familia y Amigos,

          La vida es buena y bonita!  Man, this transfer has had a lot more ups and downs than last transfer. Emotional rollercoaster!  Its great though because after each down time the ups just seem that much better.  Am I making any sense?  Anyway, its been a little bit harder to focus on the work this past week because my companion is going home next week and the realization really hit me that I have less than 5 months....what?  But its also has pushed me to look at myself and look at my goals and reevaluate.  There are definitely some things I want to change for this last home stretch to become the best missionary that I can be, the best person I can be. 

          Alrighty story time.

I forgot to tell this story two weeks ago.  I am kind of surprised I forgot because it was kind of eventful. Anyway, I was on exchanges with a greenie in a very beautiful part of Bellevue on the East side of Sammamish.  It was within the first hour of us going out to work for the day that all the drama happened. We were walking up to a potential investigator's house, you know, just strolling along. We got to the front gate and there was the lady that we were trying to find.  She said, "Girls, you need to be careful.  I saw a black bear out on my walk this morning right where you are standing.  But let me go get that Book of Mormon you gave me."  She ran inside and left us out there to be eaten!  She came back and we had a discussion about the Trinity.  Just remember that there is about a 5 foot brick wall between us, she was on the inside and we were on the outside.  In the middle of our conversation, we heard the neighbor scream "Charlotte, the bear is in your back yard!"  Charlotte started using profanity and was like, "Girls, get in here!"  She didn't even bother opening the gate before running inside, so we had to climb the wall and hop over it to safety.  Let me tell you....all of you that know me know...I climbed that wall in my skirt with the most grace and class!!  I almost started laughing because I could just picture myself on Funniest Home Videos!  But the adrenaline got me over the wall and we ran into that house so fast.  We never even saw the bear, but the Lord works in mysterious ways.  That allowed more time for us to talk to her about the Book of Mormon:) 

          This week we spent some time with the Reni family.  They are members from Provo and Sister Lee and I know their daughter....small world.  Anyway, they are just the wisest and kindest people.  We love being able to help Sister Reni out around the apartment.  She is like my Grandmother Willow tree from Pocahontas.  She imparted her wisdom about the gospel, including the fact that the Lord is only going to magnify our talents that we sacrificed for these 18 months.  It gave me a deeper appreciation for sacrifices that we have to make in life.   

          So it actually has been raining more.  Not a lot, but a few stormy days mixed in with the hottest summer on record here.  I really loved having the rain although we weren't really planning on it.  Let's just say we had a very wet night tracting up in Tiger Mountain with the sisters that are in that area.  Lots of fun though! 

           Last night we had a member missionary fireside in Burien so I got to see members from the Seahurst branch.  Not only did they remember me but they hugged and kissed me and told me how much they missed me.  I really hope I get to serve there again.  They told be that every time they watch Nacho Libre they think of me.  What a legacy that I left behind!  I promised them I would come back and watch it, and reenact it with them after the mission. 

           There were a lot of struggles with our investigators this week.  So many people that want the gospel in their lives.  They want to be closer to Christ, but they aren't willing to commit. We had a bad experience before church with one of our investigators and then they asked us to share our testimonies and do a musical number in the Spanish branch.  We cried during our testimonies and by the time we finished the musical number (I played the piano and she played the flute), nearly the whole branch was in tears! They are very empathetic and loving people.  Ahh, I just love people! 

          My spiritual thought of the week is centered on perfection.  I hate this topic because I am far, far, like zillions of miles away kind of far, from being perfect.  But Christ has commanded us "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect."  What?  How is that possible?  The answer is in Moroni 10:32.  It's through the Atonement of Christ that we become perfect.  Council with your Father in Heaven through prayer and receive that revelation on what you can do to become more like His Son. Lately I feel like I have been making a lot of mistakes.  I am a very imperfect leader and I have broken peoples' trust.  I have offended people, even when I try so hard not to.  But I felt a weight lift off my shoulders during the Sacrament.  I know that the Savior can make these situations right again.  I know that He can do the same for you because His Atonement is infinite.  Love your life and have a great week!

Hermana Stoddard & Downtown Bellevue

Con Amor,

Hermana Stoddard