Got my visa literally eight days before my 6 month mark.... Phew that was close could have been home by Christmas, but nope still here with my numb little toes enjoying every second for one more year. GAH. Too fast. Too fast.
I have yet another miracle bus story for you. I know. This is just getting out of hand. I have seen way too many miracles through the German bus system. But here's some back story. We had the very first zero week in all of Sister Heywood's mission history when literally every single appointment was cancelled. So there we are on one particularly discouraging day doing what we do- contacting in the rain, attempting to talk to strangers about religion, creeping some little kids out, getting shot down one person after the next, starting to lose steam, thinking about going home to plan but knowing that's not going to make us feel any better about our situation, so continue plugging away trying to stay chipper- and we see Ann-Marie.
Rewind. Remember way back in August when I was playing peek-a boo with these two adorable kids that I instantly fell in love with? Remember when we randomly got off the bus to try to talk to them no matter how far it put us behind schedule because golden Sister Heywood wanted to talk to every family in sight in hopes they would have interest? Remember when we gave them a card although they said they weren't really interested?
Fast forward. Remember in October when some random guy asked us if we were the American girls that told people about the church that was the same church that Jesus Christ set up, restored again on the earth? Remember how he became someone we teach now? Remember that one hectic day when Damien told us he had two kids and a girlfriend? Remember when we taught him the entire Restoration over the phone because he couldn't make it to our lesson but we felt like we should still teach him? (Actually you wouldn't remember any of that because I never told you about it... But yes. That all happened).
Now put all the pieces together. There we are shivering in our discouragement trying to talk to this lady about the gospel and not getting anywhere when we hear a 'hey don't I know you?' And there is Ann-Marie with her two adorable kids whose faces are forever glued in my head. And she gets talking and tells us how she was so impressed with our innitial two minute contact and that she went home and told her boyfriend all about it. That she was the girlfriend that Damien told us about.That he is is always talking to her about the peace this gospel brings. That overhearing the lesson that we taught over the phone opened her to the idea.
And now we are meeting with the entire family tonight. A family. My dreams are coming true.
I am literally in awe at how all these pieces are fitting together. God's hand is so in this work. If we hadn't gotten off that bus and given Ann-Marie a card. If we wouldn't have built up that trust with Damien. If we would have gone home early to plan instead of sticking out a couple more hours worth of rejection. none. of. this. would. have. happened. Too many puzzle pieces lining up. This is insane. I am obsessed with God's plan. There are definitely some tricks in teaching and I may never see the full fruits of my labors BUT it is all part of God's wonderful perfect plan that I am all too blessed to be a part of.
It just makes me think of how many things people do that you may not even know the effect- how many cards, Book of Mormons, smiles, pleasant conversations, lessons that don't turn into baptisms, kind notes, cookies, that nothing seems to come out of. No effort is wasted. None.
keep flooding the earth.
xoxoxox
s. heywood
PS: GAH So stinkin' excited about Michael's big day. You better send me 7832957823 pictures. Please. I had a little freak out because not only is that Mom's Birthday but it is also the same day as White Christmas in our mission where so many people here in Germany are getting baptized. EEP. So I will be beaming my little face off all the day long thinking of you. SO happy for you, bud.
PS: TABEA IS GOING ON A MISSION. WAHOO.
Went to the world famous Christmas Markets with Aiyana... Sister Hats and matching sweaters and all...And then got a little too carried away in the picture department...
...something was funny....
not posed.
Seriously. love her all too much.
I feel like I am in whoville I swear.
That's chocolate. I know. I freaked out too.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
We just click.
