Sister in Seattle : Week 66: The Dealings of God with the Tiger Mountain Sisters

Dear Friends and Family,

The Fairy Bakery

I have to admit I was a little confused last night when I didn't get a transfer call. I had strong feelings that I would be Spanish speaking for the rest of my mission. It was hard not to be a little disappointed to think that I will have spent more time in English areas than Spanish on my mission. But on Sunday, I got the impression to fast on Monday. A fast for strength to help me give 'my everything' to the Lord this transfer. I guess part of 'my everything' is giving 'my will' to the Lord. My will was to go back to Spanish mostly because the work is way easier and much more successful there. And of course because I love Hispanics and I get to practice Spanish.

I went a little crazy with language study during lunch time.

I can't complain. This mission isn't about me. It never was. I am blessed that I even get to be here. He knows there are people here in Tiger Mtn. that need me even though I don't know who they are. I am a little broken hearted, and I don't understand, but that's okay. I guess I don't need to. I just need to work and do what He would have me do. I will be fine and this transfer (or lack of one) is going to be a blessing. There are miracles here for Sister Partridge and me, we just have to go find them. T hank you for your prayers. I will give everything I have to serve the Lord. I am committed to work hard my last months here in my Father's vineyard. Yet again, the Lord reminded me that this mission isn't about me.

Sister Partridge TRIED to make pomegranate
seeds into a heart since I was so bummed about transfers

So let's talk about the miracles....We had a great week! We had two people actually let us into their houses to talk with them. One guy was a Wiccan and didn't seem too interested in converting, but he wanted to hear the message from the girl missionaries. The second was a couple and they committed to read the Book of Mormon and come to Conference. They didn't make it to conference, but....we are still going to keep bugging them:)

We had two investigators who we haven't seen in a long while sit down and talk with us. One of them had been reading the Book of Mormon!!! He is a little Buddhist, a little Christian. There are a lot of people around here that kind of figure out their own religion, pulling truths from everything. Anyway, I think that Rick is a real truth seeker. He said he has been praying about the Book of Mormon and his answer is "keep reading it." Sweet!

Then there is Brian. He is a really interesting guy as well. He studied with a Native American shaman and he is Christian. He is really into talking about spirits. He has had a lot of neat spiritual experiences (I think back to the days that my grandma and I would watch Ghost Hunters). Anyway, he has read the Book of Mormon and said he prayed to know if it's true and he got nothing. But he said if God tells him that it's true today, he would get baptized tomorrow, so we keep going back to see him once in awhile.

It just keeps getting darker and darker around here. Luckily we had a less active give us bear spray and the members we are living with gave us a lantern. I feel better, but it does get a little freaky at night. Of course I had to be in the ghetto last year and in the forest this year when it gets dark early:) But God has been protecting us, trust me.

That brings me to General Conference. There were so many great speakers! Overall, I learned about being happy. Just be happy. It's learning to love the gospel. Being joyful through trials. I choose to ponderize....it's the new thing apparently. I chose Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth."

I got to watch conference
across the street from the temple.

I want all of you to know that I would never do what I am doing if it weren't the true gospel. I would have given up a long time ago. If I was just a salesman trying to have people buy a product, I would have quite months ago. But what I bring to their doorsteps is real. I know. I have felt it. I know that the Atonement is real. It's been the thing that has carried me the last 15/16 months. And I am going to let it carry me for the rest of eternity. I love all of you and I pray for you. Please pray for Simon and Rick this week. Sister Partridge and I are committed to baptize two people this transfer!

With Love,
Hermana Stoddard