To say the very least, this week was an emotional roller coaster.
Still recovering from the last snow storm, there were more snow days
meaning our transportation was restricted again. Then my companion
contracted strep throat! That means a few hours at a clinic and then
many more hours of rest. Luckily I haven't gotten sick, we've been
really careful to keep everything clean. Yesterday there was this
freezing rain storm that covered everything including the roads with a
quarter inch of ice. We were walking on the sidewalk on Connecticut and
you have to walk over the snow banks on the side of the road. At one
curb we discovered that it wasn't a snow bank but a six inch puddle so
we got wet up to our ankles in freezing water! We learned that looks can
be deceiving. Even something that looks ok to stand on could be a
treacherous pool of freezing water! My most powerful experiences this
week occurred on the weekend.
I've been waiting to hear back
from BYU for several months now. Ever since I decided not to defer my
enrollment I've regretted the decision. After going home, I felt that I
had lost good chances of getting a good education. I trusted that God
would help me to get to the best place that I could be, but I didn't
know if that was where I hoped to be able to go to. When the admission
decision came that I've been admitted to BYU, I was overcome with joy
and gratitude. I don't feel like that's my accomplishment, but a
tremendous blessing from Heavenly Father. I promised with Him that I
would not let that blessing go in vain, I will do all that I can to do
well in school and contribute back.
That evening President
gave special permission to Elder Fuller and I to attend the Chinese
Branch's New Year celebration! What a fantastic opportunity! I felt like
I was going home to family. They had me lead the lion dance performance
since this is my third year attending, and I felt like it was the best
one yet! I got to see so many of the people that I have such great
relationships with. I realized that at the beginning of my mission my
vision for the branch was to help it increase in size. Instead of
accomplishing that, by submitting to the will of the Lord I think I
fulfilled an even greater mission. I became part of the branch family
and served to the point that I can give my life and my heart to the
members and to their cause.
Then the transfer call-out came. I
expected to stay here in the DC 2nd ward since I've only been here for
six weeks, and I looked forward to the work that still needs to be
done. I found out that I'm leaving! I can't express how confused and
discouraged I was about that decision. How could I have accomplished or
contributed anything substantial in such a short amount of time? I
prayed for understanding and none came. The next day at Sacrament after
telling one of the members the ruling, he immediately smiled and told me
that I accomplished what I was supposed to here. I was filled with
comfort as the spirit bore witness of that to me, I know that the Lord
has a plan. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3)
My invitation this
week is to trust that the Lord is preparing a path for each one of us to
accomplish His purpose. As you go into this week and I go into this
transfer, let's pray for understanding and seek to do His will!
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