Mom,
I am glad that thinking of me makes
your day better. Usually when I think of all of you at home, it makes me really
happy and kind of homesick at times too, but it gives me strength to remember
why I am doing this and to remember how much support I have at home. Also to
remember that you all are being blessed while I am here.
I'm good. This week was pretty
great, though some days were kind of hard. Monday was a little difficult
because we went to see the Hill family whose daughter left on her mission on
Tuesday. We got to visit with her before she left and I think it helped her a
lot. Brother Hill is in the bishopric and asked me about my experience saying good-bye
to y'all. It was a little difficult to talk about but I know it helped him a
lot. Tracting is a lot better now as I think confidence and rely on the Spirit
to pick a street. As long as we make it fun, it's not too bad. And I even have
begun to gain more confidence in approaching people on the street. I have to
talk to people at gas stations too and the first one that I was proud of us
ended up being atheist, but it's okay. She'll come around.
Sister Ard is great. She has really
helped me to see my potential as a missionary and she has helped me overcome
some of my fears of missionary work. She has such a drive and she wants to do
her best and be exactly obedient. Her family is inactive and she wants to go
back to them with the attitude that she did exactly what she needed to
do. I have come to be so much more grateful that I had such an amazing
childhood with my family and that you and Dad raised me to be the woman I am
today. I am grateful that you have helped me to budget and that we are not poor
by any means. Her family has money problems and I have grown to see the
blessing that I've had in ours.
I am so excited to meet President
Clark! And his wife of course. I was praying for him the other day and I just
had this overwhelming feeling of love for them. Also, I felt like he was
exactly what I would need as a missionary. They will be here in a week, and
though I am sad to see President and Sister Gelwix leave, I know President and
Sister Clark will be what we as a mission need.
I was thinking about Sister Jensen
the other day! Weird. I was thinking about some of the things she told me
before I left about her mission. It helped me a lot. I am glad there are people
at home who still remember me. I love Sister Okamura! It's funny because I have
been praying for your primary class, and I have been putting in my prayers that
you will either love your calling or get released. I hope you know I pray for
you everyday, multiple times.
I was thinking about Hunter all day
yesterday and I was praying for him. Sister Ard and I spoke in Sacrament which
was kind of fun actually. We were sitting by the Sacrament table though and it
occurred to me that Hunter could bless the Sacrament now. He emailed me last
week and told me that he did miss me but not enough for me to be at home. It
occurred to me the other day that maybe what I'm doing here is as much for the
benefit of myself and the people here as it is for my family, particularly
Hunter. I hope that as I am here he will have a desire to go on a mission too.
You haven't gotten new phones yet? Totally expected that to happen like right
after I left. So is my phone still active??
I did get a package on Wednesday--we
had zone conference and they brought them. However, we had an appointment right
after so I didn't have time to get the package. But I'll probably get it today.
My zone leaders have it so hopefully they will remember to bring it. I will
definitely look forward to opening these packages.
I can feel your prayers and I know
they are part of the reason that I am pushing forward and learning to focus
more and more on the work. I know that you love me and miss me and I know that
you know that I am doing what I need to here. I love you and pray for you too.
Always <3,
Sister Abigail Reese.
PS If you are in Salt Lake City
(like you would be haha) on July 13, Sister Gelwix is reporting on hers and
President's mission at 12:30 at 3070 Nia Way in Salt Lake. They said if our
parents wanted to go they'd love to meet them :)
Daddy,
My month mark was on Saturday. I
remember because I put it in my planner and I told myself it was going to be a
great day. And it was. We tracted a lot, but it was okay because we picked a
great street. My companion had me pick the street because something I am
working on is following every prompting that the Spirit gives me. I picked a street
and I know there is a reason that we went there. There was someone there whose
life we touched even if they weren't interested right then.
I was thinking about Hunter all day
yesterday. We spoke in Sacrament and so we were really close to the priests who
were blessing it. It occurred to me that Hunter could bless the Sacrament after
yesterday and it made me a little sad that I couldn't be there for his
ordination, but I know that he knows I was thinking about him and he knows I am
here doing a good work.
I miss camping! Not hiking, but
camping. I hope you'll take lots of pictures when you go to the property next
month.
This week has
been kind of hard in the aspect of me thinking of all of you. There was a young
woman in the ward I am serving in who left for her mission to Peru on Tuesday.
We had the chance to visit with her and her family on Monday night and I know I
needed it as much as they did. Her father is in the bishopric and he asked me
about when I said good-bye to you. She flew from here so they didn't even get
to go to the MTC, but I told him of my experience and how hard it can be, but I
know it will get better.
I know there are so many people here
who have helped me. I think of my family at home and that gives me strength
even when I miss them with all my heart. I think of the district I had at the
MTC and the fact that they are doing the same thing I am and it gives me
strength. So many things that are hard to remember give me so much strength
because it reminds me that I can get through this. I pray everyday, every
morning, that God will help me get through today. I have to take it one day at
a time sometimes because I know that if I think too far ahead, I get
overwhelmed or I get homesick or it's just hard. I am grateful that we find
people here who are so kind to us and who let us pray with them or even just
give us water and food. I know the Lord will bless their lives even if they
didn't want to hear our message. Those are the saviors that I see. I see those
people we talk to and who let us pray with them or give us water as miracles
and as saviors because they give me the hope that we will find more people like
them who are prepared to hear the gospel.
We had zone conference this week so
I met a lot of missionaries who I didn't know before. I also got to see most of
my MTC district. Knowing that they are facing some of the same things I am
helps me to know that we are in this together.
We have a new investigator! Her name
is Nariko and she is from the Marshall Islands. I haven't met her because we
were on exchanges when Sister Ard and Sister Tautuiaki went by the Green home.
They are former investigators. A member asked us to go by about a week ago and
we are positive that she is ready to hear our message now. I am so grateful for
that.
I know that God is with me everyday.
I know He is here and I know that He loves me and He wants me to be happy and
to serve Him with my best. I am trying to do that everyday. I can feel your
prayers and the prayers of everyone else who is praying for me. I got a letter
from Grandma this week, and Todd's family and Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom had all
written me a little note in it. It made my day so much brighter. I am so
grateful for our family. Oh! Which reminds me--can you maybe send me the
addresses of Todd, Grandpa Luckey, Grandma and Grandpa Light, and I think
that's it. If I think of any others I'll tell you.
I love you, Dad, and I pray for all
of you everyday multiple times a day. Thank you for all the support you've
given me.
Always <3,
Sister Abigail Reese
No comments:
Post a Comment