Letter #49 03/02/14

Well it's been quite an eventful week in my new area. My companions have both been here for at least 6 weeks so it's a change having someone else lead me around the area. It's been great though and they have been wonderful in getting me to meet everyone and become involved. Being in a trio is definitely different. I remember talking to my second companion who had been in a trio before and she said that you either love it or you don't. I think I'm going to love it. I definitely feel like we work well together. One of the great things is that we have learned to laugh. And we laugh a LOT. It is so important to find laughter especially in those stressful moments. It's only a bad 5 minutes, not a bad day. So find something to laugh about. We can all be goofs with each other and I'm grateful we've become so comfortable so quickly. I have new stewardship over 7 companionships now as a Sister Training Leader. One of them is with Sister Archuleta, so it will be fun to work with her again. I definitely felt overwhelmed when I found out that I was on my own with so many sisters, but as I prayed and studied, I felt a peaceful feeling come over me that everything would be alright, that the Lord would help me accomplish all that I need to do. Many times we don't see the end of the tunnel and feel discouraged or helpless, but when we turn to the Lord for that assistance, knowing we can't do it by ourselves, we are humbled and able to overcome so much. I know these experiences continue to make me stronger and will prepare me for so much. The ward that I am now serving in is so great. There is so much support and the members are just willing to be involved any way that they can. We have a few people that the sisters have already been working with and so it's nice to continue to have teaching opportunities. In the meantime, we are practicing on the members as we have dinner with them. Another great thing about our tri-panionship is that we teach really well together. I have felt the Spirit so strong every time we teach and I'm so grateful for that. It's interesting as I am out longer on my mission, that because it is so small, I am continually running into people from old areas or that have connections with areas I've served in. I continue to feel such a part of my mission and the people of Idaho. I truly love it here. Lately, I've had a lot of people ask me what I miss about California, and honestly the two main things I can think of are the people and the food (I miss my Thai food from Khan Toke). But I do love it here and yet I'm grateful I still don't talk Idahoan. Haha. There is a slight difference (mostly grammar). I love you all so much. I miss my family dearly and friends, but I am so grateful to have wonderful people in my life who support me and have encouraged me. I continue to see how that is not so common and how blessed I am for that. I know that my life has been blessed so much because I have been rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although I am not perfect and have had to learn along the way, the standards and doctrine that I have grown up on has helped me overcome so many challenges that come in life. I continue to understand who I am and my worth. I continue to learn about the Atonement or sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for me so that I can keep enduring and not have to dwell on my mistakes and imperfections. I know that life can be hard, but there is something so great to look forward to, to live for. There is a wonderful gift called eternal life that we can all obtain. The decisions we make now to matter. There are consequences, both good and bad, but if we take the time to think before we act, we can allow for more blessings and freedoms to come. I hope you all have a fantastic week! Love, Sister Wightman