It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times (3/4/14)

This week started off amazing! We had a killer Monday night! We taught 3 investigator lessons, 44 contacts, and picked up a new investigator... on a Monday night! That never happens!!! It was such a great feeling teaching so may people and talking to everyone we came into contact with! Tuesday was just as productive....then the night came and.... Sister Hedrick came down with something. Were thinking the flu but it was weird. So then I got it and we were stuck inside all week!

What!?! Life is crazy when you're a missionary!!! So then we were both sick but trying to feel better. Thinking that it would not last long, we went to an appointment that would only take us 20 mins to teach then we could go home and sleep....but it took about an hour and a half just trying to get ready to look half-way decent. So then our appointment fell through and we needed some Gatorade and Kleenex. We went into the store to get these items as fast as we can because we don't want to look like pile missionaries shopping on a non-pday... but then we ran into a member in our ward! so we had to explain that we are sick (remember we look like normal, not-sick missionaries because we just spent an hour and half getting ready)! We dad to explain that we were sick....Hahaha, I love my life! A lot of miracles happened to us on Monday and Tuesday!!! It was great! I love the Lord and his workings.

For example, one night in my last area we were walking near our complex (we had 10 mins until we had to go in) and all of a sudden I had to go t the bathroom. Like, I was going to pee my pants! So I said to my companion, "We have to go in, I'm going to pee my pants..." So we walk back and as we are almost in ths gate there is a man walking, and of course I talk to him not thinking that it will take too long...but then he wants to hear the lesson!!! What!? At this point I cant even remember that I'm going to pee my pants and thanks to some new training we can teach a lesson in about 10 mins! So, we taught the man on the sidewalk the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! But when we were done I still had to pee! Did I pee my pants for the second time on my mission? Yes...but it was worth it!! Who would have thought that my bladder would have directed me to teach someone!? So cool!

So, I have been reading The Fellowship of the Unashamed and I thinking about how my past zone leader said I could improve on was having more faith when I had asked what to work on. Everyone in the mission is being told to have more faith. I was thinking of ways to show my faith more to the Lord because faith is an action word. What did I need to do? While reading this it says that "I'm finished with dwarfed goals"...and it hit me like a rock flying out of as tornado on a spring morning! I was dwarfing my goals!! This week our goals are high but I know that the Lord will help me as I am obedient and if it be His will!

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast! I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear! I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up stored up, and paid up of the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till I know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear."

And I am sure you all want to know what I did while I was sick:
Slept
Unpacked
Washed my bedding, twice
Read the Book of Mormon
Ate
Slept
Watched The Testament
Caught up on journal writing

Well that was my week! This week in you family and personal prayers please pray for me and Sister Hedrick, that we will have the faith we need to do the Lord's will and that we will find those who are ready for the great message we have to share to all the world!

Also I'm not sure if I have told you yet or not but I'll say it twice: watch Earthy Father, Heavenly Father on MormonChannel.org! Do it!

I love you all!!!!!!
Sister Violette Carlson!