Pavo pavo

Two big things on my mind this week:
1. Healer's art
2. Reward

First. Healer's art. The hymn "Lord I would follow Thee" is so good. Part of the 3rd verse says (I think), "I would be my brother's keeper, I would learn the healer's art." Suddenly I started thinking of all the people I will meet in my life. It was even a little strange- I almost felt like I could see a few of them- people I've never met. I've realized recently how much power each of us have, especially in the lives of people who are close to us. Every single day we have probably hundreds of opportunities to either make someone's day a little brighter or make them feel that much worse. It's not necessarily that our dispositions are determined by circumstance or how people treat us (that's no good) but I don't think anyone can deny how much  better your day is when an old friend catches up with you or maybe a sibling does or says something particularly nice. Getting letters, saying hi to people...all of the little things have that much influence to help someone feel important and loved. What if everyone was a little more conscious of the power they had? If you realized that you could help a family member feel happier today, would you do it? If you were aware that being rude or sharp to them would make them feel small and hurt, would you still do it? So many times I have done something thinking only of myself when it wouldn't have taken much at all to ask my companion how she was or to listen to someone when you know they are upset about something. It seriously takes so little. Why can't I be good more often? New resolve.

Second. In the scriptures, in church, just talking about God in general...we mention blessings all the time. We talk about how if you pay tithing He pours out so many blessings that we won't have room to receive them. The word of wisdom gives us healthy bodies and clearer minds. Not killing people and not committing adultery are obvious in their blessings. 

However!

Just think for a second- do you go to church on Sunday or read the scriptures or pray or keep yourself from stealing or any of the other things God has asked of us because you have been promised blessings? Or do you follow Him because He asked you to and you love Him? In teaching people on the mission sometimes it's hard to explain why we don't drink coffee or alcohol or we pay 10% of our income. I've come to think of it this way: If God asked you to stop eating apples, would you eat them anyways? Would you think about it and say, "Well there's nothing wrong with apples. Doctors say they are good for me. It's ok if I have an apple sometimes"? Obviously not. I know sometimes it's hard to just go on faith that the things we're commanded to do are from God. You know what the best part about that is? You can ask Him! In fact, you're supposed to! Never in a lesson do we ask whoever we're teaching to just believe us. I'm 21. What do I know? We always ask them to think about it, and pray to know for themselves.
So back to the point- if we only do what we know we should be doing because we will get rewards from God, (and we always do! He has blessed me more than I deserve) what would happen if He stopped giving us things? Would we have the right to stop obeying His laws? To stop being good people? I hope you don't have to think about that for too long. The Savior has atoned for me and provided a way to return to live with my Heavenly Father. If I never received another blasted thing for as long as I live- if I lost everything and everyone that I love- I would STILL be in debt over my head. I follow what I have been asked to do because I love my Savior. It's really as simple as that.


Ok! Now that you've been to church for the 2nd time this week, onto the random stuff. My district leaves on Monday! I will be a lone wolf for a tad and then I'll be with a new, all visitor's center sisters, district. With a new companion! Ah! For anyone who wants to send something but isn't sure if it will get  to the MTC by February 6th (better safe than sorry on this one) my NY address until further notice will be:
Hermana Natalie Raines
New York Rochester Mission
100 Perinton Hills Office Park Ste 120
Fairport, NY
14450-3608

(Kenna would you mind updating facebook and my blog? Thank youu)

My district and I have been in this place for so long that we've started inventing Spanish words. Fefarse is a verb meaning "to endure to the end." Ex: Estoy fefandome or Ella se fefa
We are good. I know.

Also, "pavo" means silly in Spanish. "Pavo" also means turkey. So...naturally we've started calling people "pavo pavo." What would YOU do if you found that out? Obviously the same. No question.

Ok I'm out for the week. Someone tell Amanda Jones to put the pen to the paper. LOVE YOU ALL BYE
Hermana Ray