Random little notes. I just realized
this last week that somehow my residency got messed up here and instead of only
being a resident until next year I will be a
resident of Spain until 2018!
SWEET! Looks like I’ll be staying here a little
longer than I thought. Just kidding.
Another side note. The only thing
about being in a branch rather
than a ward is that there
aren´t as many people to help out with stuff. It gives
me more opportunities to
serve and get to know the members. I love my
branch!
Well, now to the bulk of the email.
This week was full of miracles and learning. Last
Monday I hit rock bottom. I
was so discouraged and frustrated with myself. I
was frustrated that the area
wasn´t progressing, that the language wasn´t as
good as I want it to be, and
that I just wasn´t as good as I thought the lord
wanted me to be. All of my
weaknesses seemed to be amplified and I couldn´t
help but feel like a huge
failure. I fell to my knees in prayer and pleaded
to my Father in Heaven to
help me know that he still loved me. I talked to
him for almost an hour in
prayer and did not stop praying until my sorrows
and frustrations were replaced
with peace and understanding. As I was praying to
my Father in Heaven, I began
to recognize all of the things I had already
overcome. I was filled with a
peace and comfort that I can´t quite put into
words. Somehow I knew, deep within
my being, that the lord was proud of me. That he
was happy with my desires to
serve him and become better. I´m not perfect, nor
will I ever be perfect in this life but
the Lord is still pleased with my little efforts
each day in which I try to
become more like Him. In that moment when I
thought that I had completely
failed everyone and that I wasn´t a good
missionary, the atonement stepped in.
I had a very personal moment with my Heavenly
Father in which I came to know
that I’m not done learning. There´s still so much
more that I have to learn and
overcome here and I’m not leaving
until I do so. The Lord has so
much in store for each and every one of us. He
loves us. Even when we don´t
deserve it.
The work is progressing here!
Miracles are happening and the Lord is leading us
to his elect! This last week
we found 2 more families to teach and another
woman who has been so carefully
prepared by the Lord! Our efforts and prayers over
the last 7 weeks are
starting to be answered. We´re finding people who
are ready for the fullness of
the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This work
is so much bigger than me. I
am seeing the great and marvelous work of the Lord
come forth.
This week has been a big week of
reflection for me. I´ve been thinking about my
family a lot and how I’m so
blessed to be able to be with them for eternity
thanks to the covenants we have
made in the temple. Not only do I get to be with
my family for eternity but I’m
here to help others do the same.
The definition of a missionary:
someone who leaves their family for a short time
so that others can be with
their families for eternity. That´s why I’m here.
I´m here to bring others to the
knowledge of their Savior and help them live in
the presence of their Heavenly Father
with their families forever. I love this work and
I love the Lord!
Try a little harder to be a little
better and come what may and love it!
Love,
Hermana Israelsen
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