I found it. I found the cures to my fears. Don't get your hopes up too high because it's nothing new. Although it was one of those lightning bolt moments for me. Just one of the **ding** moments where everything clicks and you wonder why you were being such a sap. I took a full 180 this week. Maybe even 360. Especially considering my goal this week was 'don't die.' Yes, I literally wrote that in my planner under the goals section. And I surpassed that with flying colors.
I had made it a goal to really study the Atonement. Like REALLY study it. And It has been life changing. Seriously. Go do it. I can ship you out about 5 different talks that will change the way you look at everything. Gah. How have I been a member of the church this long and never actually understood the half where it talks about grace? This enabling power? That whole 'come unto me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light does NOT mean your burdens are taken away from you.... nope. It means you are made stronger to lift those burdens. His enabling power enables you to lift those burdens. Hello. I don't know how it has taken me so long to figure that one out but after that little ah-ha moment my 'don't die' goal was a piece of cake.
I am in love with my new companion. I seriously lucked out and got the best one of the batch. She's adorable. Sister Johnson's the name and working hard is her game. Seriously she has so much golden fire it is incredible. No fear. Who cares if we are both awful at german just give them all homeade cookies on the bus and they all fall in love with you. I am starting to realize how it is okay to be best friends with all of your companions. Just take them and run with it.
Dorian Gionker (brother of Aiyana) was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Crist of Latter Day Saints. (How is that for a welcome to Germany present for Sister Johnson?) Oh my goodness. It was absolutely beautiful. I just can't even imagine the joy Sister Gionker is feeling right now to have two of her kids make that decision to be baptized. She was explaining to me through her tears how hard it has been. How sad she is that she had been inactive for so long. How she had forgotten the joy of the church and it had affected her children. How she wants them all to have that joy and rekindle the flame that she now has. How she wants them to never ever forget it. I just hugged her. One of those really tight hugs that you just squeeze every last drop of tear left in them. And when we heard the testimony of Dorian and the purity of his heart oh man we were just one big cry baby family. It was glorious. I am in love with this family. They have changed me.
As time goes on I am becoming more and more humbled. I am awful at German. I get us lost all the time. I am not measuring up to the trainer I want to be. But you know what? That's okay. We got this in the bag. We will grow and learn and bring others more joy. Heavenly Father will not let us fail.
So yes, mom. Maybe this training thing is wonderful news.
xoxoxox
love ya oodles
s. heywood
kick off the week with a good ol pumkin carving extravaganza. sister 1 and sister 2. real original. I know. ps: wearing pants is the wierdest feeling.
fhe party. the usual.
love these peeps.
So long Sister Teeples. Hello Sister Johnson.
Elder Palmer is way too cool. How he managed to carve a temple into a pumkin I will never understand... and then that whole accidentally eating the pumpkin and elder rock looking like he is going to attack someone? added bonus.
Our first morning consisted of a fail of pancakes and Sister Johnson locking herself in the bathroom for 20 minutes..... I knew this was gonna be a good companionship from that moment on...
we had to celebrate Halloween somehow... so... we created our own little eery corner. creativity for the win.
Someday. You will meet this boy and you will fall in love with him and the goodness of his heart. Guarantee it.
