So this week...was hard. The beginning of a transfer is always an adjustment when starting with a new companion. There's the packing of luggage into the car, there's introducing someone to the area, there's finding a new teaching pattern. And really it's not bad. This week, that was the little stuff. I found out on Tuesday that a beloved member in my first area had passed away a month ago. It was hard finding something like that out, especially that far after the fact. On the same day, I found out that some of my recent converts in my first area had gone less-active, along with some members I worked with there as well. That was also hard. I cried. A couple times throughout the week. And honestly, that helped. I'm a big believer in a good cry. Therapeutic. Then, Thursday night I got sicker than I can remember being in years, and was out for a good day and a half, never getting too far away from a trash can and the bathroom. Less than comfortable.
But despite all of this, looking back on the week, I was happy. It's hard to believe that even when things get tough (and sometimes things get really tough) that you can be so happy. But you can be. That's the beauty of the Atonement. Of Jesus Christ. Of His gospel. Of turning out instead of turning in. As we look to others and how we can help them, we don't need to worry about ourselves. God will take care of that. He blesses us in more ways than we can comprehend. He's blessed me with a wonderful new companion who has been helping me and supporting me and encouraging me to grow from day one. He blesses us with little things throughout the week to give us light. He blesses us with days warm enough to put away the parka and pull out the lighter coat. He blesses us with members who walk in the door just as you call their house asking them to come and pick you up because you are too sick to walk home. He blesses you with lessons half in Mandarin and half in Cantonese, a language you don't understand, to remind you of the importance of relying on the Spirit and what it was like as brand new missionary. He blesses you with friends in members and other missionaries who say the exact things you need to hear at exactly the right time. He blesses you with Lindt Lindor chocolates that make everyone happy, so happy that even when someone tries so hard to bash with you and tell you that what you believe is wrong, you can give them one and they absolutely light up and let you go. God blesses us so much. Each of us.
This week, I invite each of you to look into your life and find the little blessings. Find something to be grateful for each day. It's perhaps my favorite thing I've picked up on my mission. Everyday this year, I've found something to be grateful for, written it down, and put it in a Mason jar on my desk. It's only March and this jar is almost full.
I love you all and hope that you have a FANTASTIC week!
Stay strong!
Sister Makena Bauss
包爱蕾姐妹
But despite all of this, looking back on the week, I was happy. It's hard to believe that even when things get tough (and sometimes things get really tough) that you can be so happy. But you can be. That's the beauty of the Atonement. Of Jesus Christ. Of His gospel. Of turning out instead of turning in. As we look to others and how we can help them, we don't need to worry about ourselves. God will take care of that. He blesses us in more ways than we can comprehend. He's blessed me with a wonderful new companion who has been helping me and supporting me and encouraging me to grow from day one. He blesses us with little things throughout the week to give us light. He blesses us with days warm enough to put away the parka and pull out the lighter coat. He blesses us with members who walk in the door just as you call their house asking them to come and pick you up because you are too sick to walk home. He blesses you with lessons half in Mandarin and half in Cantonese, a language you don't understand, to remind you of the importance of relying on the Spirit and what it was like as brand new missionary. He blesses you with friends in members and other missionaries who say the exact things you need to hear at exactly the right time. He blesses you with Lindt Lindor chocolates that make everyone happy, so happy that even when someone tries so hard to bash with you and tell you that what you believe is wrong, you can give them one and they absolutely light up and let you go. God blesses us so much. Each of us.
This week, I invite each of you to look into your life and find the little blessings. Find something to be grateful for each day. It's perhaps my favorite thing I've picked up on my mission. Everyday this year, I've found something to be grateful for, written it down, and put it in a Mason jar on my desk. It's only March and this jar is almost full.
I love you all and hope that you have a FANTASTIC week!
Stay strong!
Sister Makena Bauss
包爱蕾姐妹