Hello All!
So the theme that we've been focusing on this week has been SERVICE. The work has been a bit slower in this area and so we have been extending invitations for service to help out people from church and even their neighbors or anyone else they may feel need help. It's funny because I feel a lot of people smile but think that because we're "sisters" maybe we can't do what they could ask the elders to do. However, we have been persistant and have started to get some calls for help (mainly weeding). A widow in one of our wards, Sister Knudsen, said we could help weed her neighbors yard, we started there and then we began to move down to the next house. As we were pulling weeds and "deadheading" flowers, the owner of the house pulled up and seemed a little shocked but very appreciative. His name is Demitri and he's from the Ukraine (moved here 3 years ago). He's been here alone while his wife had her baby back in the Ukraine, but he's going to get her and his two kids next week. He said we can come by anytime, to weed or just to talk, and we are looking forward to getting to meet the rest of his family as well.
Another tender mercy that occured this week, was more for Sister Chen. We got a call from a set of elders who informed us that there is a family in a nearby stake who are housing a couple from Taiwan. They speak only a little English and seem interested in the missionary discussions! Perfect opportunity for Sister Chen? I think so :) We look forward to meeting them, and I know Sister Chen is looking forward to talking in her native tongue. It was a bit humorous though, because as soon as I explained the situation to her, she told me "Oh no, now I have to remember how to teach in Mandarin!" haha. She is definitely still learning English, but her progression is great. So many people are amazed with how well she speaks English for only being here 3 1/2 weeks. I know it'll continue to take time, but in 3 or 4 months I think she will be doing just fine!
Having the mission split into three missions hasn't really seemed to have affected things too much, but it's been nice having our mission president involved more. Since the mission area is a lot smaller, President Winder has been coming to a lot more of our meetings and is able to be a lot more involved. This has been a great opporunity for us to get to know him and his wife better. They are really nice and we can tell that they geniunly care about us and our well-being. Just like anything, it takes time to adjust to new people or new areas (I think of my parents having to move to a new town), but as we trust in the Lord and we trust in our purpose and our focuses, things begin to fall into place and we feel comfortable with wherever we are or whatever we are handed.
This mission is teaching me in ways I couldn't even imagine. I am learning how to be a leader, how to teach simply, how to not just look for opportunities, but to think of ways to create opportunities as well. As we work more with the members of the church to find friends or neighbors who are ready to hear about the gospel, we realize together how opportunities can come if we just talk. As we open our mouth, thoughts and words just seem to flow. If the gospel has blessed our lives, why not share it. If we care about our friends, why not be there for them. Everyone has their agency to accept or reject the gospel, and we shouldn't take that away from them, but if we don't open our mouth we are also taking that agency away from them because then they'll never know. Don't be afraid. The worst they can say is no. But they're still your friend, they still care about you and still care about them. But you did what we are asked to do: invite. I love this gospel and I am so grateful have it in my life and to share how these joys that I have felt can bless others too :)
I love you all! Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Wightman
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