Highlights from this week real quick:
Last week for p-day a group of us went to Disneyland (but not IN Disneyland, although we were all tempted to abandon our plans and go). Right outside the park they have Inspiration Lake, which is a gorgeous (manmade??) lake that you can rent bikes and bike around. Just so you all know, 6-person bikes are difficult to manage, but it was really fun. And exhausting, hahaha.
Anyways, that aside. I'm going to be real honest here. This week was rough. I don't know what it's been lately (actually it's ghost month, some Chinese tradition that makes people really hesitant to talk to foreigners), but it has been SO HARD to schedule people and do what feels like real missionary work. We've met a lot of brusque, not-so-friendly people this week, and it's easy to get discouraged. Sister Gaillard and I have been seeing almost daily miracles though, which reminds us that God is watching out for us, and also that we're doing something right, but for now we're just not seeing any miracles in the form of people interested in the gospel for now, so there's something for us to learn here. We did have a few really cool experiences this week where we talked to the right people at just the right time and made some pretty instant friends (I love that), and that's been just enough to keep us going.
Anyways, so this week I was reading in the Liahona, and I came across an article from this month called "Mountains and Sermons, Trails and Faith" and I'm pretty sure it was written just for me. The author was talking about how on her mission, she was having extra trials and she wasn't sure why it was happening to her when she was giving so much to serve, and then she remembered how right before Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount, he climbed a mountain, perhaps to weed out the merely curious bystanders and find the disciples who were willing to climb a mountain for Him. Although my trails are a little different than the ones the author was experiencing, I found that I related to her experiences a lot and it really helped me. God is looking for serious, dedicated disciples, who won't fall away when the road gets a little rough or starts climbing uphill a little bit, and I'm grateful that even though sometimes it's really really hard, I get this chance to prove my faith to Him.
I was also reading an article called "Priesthood, Agency, and Black Powder" from September 2007, and I stumbled across this quote that says, "At the press conference when she received the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa was reportedly asked, 'So how do you feel now that you have been working to feed the poor and ease their misery for decades, and things are still just as bad--or worse--in Calcutta as when you started?' Her profound response is an example to us all. She said that we have not been called to be successful but to be faithful."
Stay faithful, folks. It may not be easy, and it probably won't be, but the blessings will come. Maybe not the way you'd like or when you'd expect, but they will come and will be sweeter and better than we could have ever imagined.
Love you all. Gayauh :)
Sister Wasden
郭姊妹
Pics:
Biking. Can you see the exhaustion in our eyes?
Been real smoggy lately.
When life give you lemons, laugh at them.
Leihdeih hou!
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Granddaughter, in military parlance, your position is known as "The Tip of The Spear" or, "point" for short. This means to assume the first and most exposed position in a combat military that is, the leading soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory. The soldier, vehicle, or unit on point is frequently the first to take hostile fire. The inherent risks of taking point create a need for constant and extreme operational alertness.
As a Missionary, you are on "Point" for our Savior in a battle in which there are many casualties. There may be times in which you might feel especially vulnerable and alone. At times like these, imagine the veil were taken from you and you could see the mighty hosts of angels and loved ones with you. Sister Sharon G. Larson, (Young Women General Presidency) reminded us of this point when she said: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16). The Lord will surround and protect our young people with chariots of fire, as He did for Elisha, in the form of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, leaders, and friends who will vigorously love them and lead them."
"Old Scratch" will use discouragement as his best tool when we are weak mentally, physically, or spiritually. "Press on, fresh courage take" is more than a rallying cry for beleaguered saints struggling with their handcarts or obstinate oxen. [Come, Come Ye Saints] These words can be a rallying cry for you and I in the present, and in the centuries to come.
Hang in tough and cheer up those around you. Enthusiasm is contagious although, not everyone immediately gets "on-board" with the same zeal--some may even resent a "cheery disposition" however, just remember who you are serving.
I love you more! Your favorite "Cheerleader" :)