Ha! You all thought I died, didn't you! Not quite yet. Sorry :)
Due to Memorial Day, the libraries were closed and us poor missionaries were stranded without internet access. So I'm emailing you all today!
First of all, a HUGE Happy birthday to Sean and Nathan Raines who are old now! There are cards coming in the mail, but sometimes I am really bad about actually getting them to the mailbox so I'm sending this picture card first :D I was pretty homesick all day on the 26th wishing I could be there with two of the greatest brothers ever, but I will be home for your birthday next year! Weird, right? We'll have a killer party. Already excited over here.
I also found Calvin st.! And took a picture obviously. So this week was just a killer homesick week! Not fair! I have the best brothers in the whole world! I hope you are all doing well. I know life is busy and writing letters gets slow.
This week was packed with a lot of rough stuff and some really amazing things as well. We had zone conference in the Sacred Grove which was phenomenal, and since we were in Palmyra we got the chance to go to the temple. It was a really good experience. On my mission I have become so much more aware of the violent ebbs and flows of life. Why are they so crazy here?! I think it's largely because my life is really just made up of being a part of tons of other people's lives- generally right when they are going through a huge crisis. Very much tiring. It's great when you feel like you can help someone, but there are also many times when we've had to step back and realize that people aren't always willing to make the changes necessary to be happy. That one hurts.
So zone conference! We were actually joined by this guy: http://bcove.me/5se3ygrb Alex Boye! He's pretty close to President Christianson. He didn't even sing though! Whaaat?
Sitting in the Sacred Grove was really good for me. It's so easy to get hurt and frustrated and overwhelmed by responsibility sometimes! How can we keep from worrying about family and friends and health and finances and relationships and inadequacies? It's pretty difficult! I'm grateful for the knowledge that I have of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28 says,"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Not to say that I have it hard compared to so many other people on the planet, but that invitation is extended to EVERYONE! Ah it's such a blessing. How silly we would be to disregard it for whatever reason. Sometimes it really feels like we spend our lives setting up dominoes. Whether it be homework, chores, paying bills, going to work, taking a shower, consoling someone who always seems to need consolation, changing diapers, or just plain getting up in the morning trying to make it through another day, our lives are made up of billions of tiny decisions- tiny dominoes that fall so easily. And they all seem to fall at once, don't they? Sometimes someone pushes them over. Sometimes it's a breeze. Sometimes you just flat out did it wrong. Regardless of cause, it can definitely get frustrating to keep setting them up. How often do we really feel that our contributions are making a difference in the world?
Ellen Goodman wrote, "I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people who are convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference after another."
I am grateful for all of the struggles and contributions all of you are making in your lives. This week I am trying to remember that it's worth it- even when I feel like all I'm doing is setting up dominoes.
I've been a little on edge the last week, despite zone conference and the temple. This is probably where that dominoes idea came from. We have just run into a lot of nasty, mean people this week! One after the other! Maybe it's just because it's not in my nature to be purposefully hurtful to anyone, but I just don't understand that motive behind yelling at two young girls. MAYBE if we were being offensive or destructive. We've had people come up to us, stick a finger in our face and say slyly, "I know ALL about you and your church! And I don't want anything to do with it!" Or just come up and say, "I'm not voting for him!" Uh hey that's great! Assuming you're talking about Mitt Romney even though you didn't clarify, I'm actually not voting for him either! We don't vote as missionaries! I am currently being put to the test to see how much I can truly learn to "love one another." We are not hiding behind barriers of culture or language. I am asked to love people who know exactly what they are saying to me. We're not just asked to be kind to people who are kind to us. I am grateful for a chance to really learn this lesson. I'm also grateful for Sister Thomas. It's a lot nicer when you're not the only one getting cornered.
Well that's probably about it for this week. We are doing our best to go every day and help as many people as we can. Maybe one of the greatest lessons to learn on Earth is how to let people help you. Hopefully there will be more to report next week. If you please, just remember to send up a prayer for a couple of really tired- but really happy- missionaries in the middle of Buffalo, New York. My life is so good. I just want to make sure I'm able to use my time wisely.
I'm sending a few pictures! Sister Thomas chopped her hair off! I think it looks really good. Have a good week everyone! Off we go.
Hermana Raines
Due to Memorial Day, the libraries were closed and us poor missionaries were stranded without internet access. So I'm emailing you all today!
First of all, a HUGE Happy birthday to Sean and Nathan Raines who are old now! There are cards coming in the mail, but sometimes I am really bad about actually getting them to the mailbox so I'm sending this picture card first :D I was pretty homesick all day on the 26th wishing I could be there with two of the greatest brothers ever, but I will be home for your birthday next year! Weird, right? We'll have a killer party. Already excited over here.
I also found Calvin st.! And took a picture obviously. So this week was just a killer homesick week! Not fair! I have the best brothers in the whole world! I hope you are all doing well. I know life is busy and writing letters gets slow.
This week was packed with a lot of rough stuff and some really amazing things as well. We had zone conference in the Sacred Grove which was phenomenal, and since we were in Palmyra we got the chance to go to the temple. It was a really good experience. On my mission I have become so much more aware of the violent ebbs and flows of life. Why are they so crazy here?! I think it's largely because my life is really just made up of being a part of tons of other people's lives- generally right when they are going through a huge crisis. Very much tiring. It's great when you feel like you can help someone, but there are also many times when we've had to step back and realize that people aren't always willing to make the changes necessary to be happy. That one hurts.
So zone conference! We were actually joined by this guy: http://bcove.me/5se3ygrb Alex Boye! He's pretty close to President Christianson. He didn't even sing though! Whaaat?
Sitting in the Sacred Grove was really good for me. It's so easy to get hurt and frustrated and overwhelmed by responsibility sometimes! How can we keep from worrying about family and friends and health and finances and relationships and inadequacies? It's pretty difficult! I'm grateful for the knowledge that I have of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28 says,"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Not to say that I have it hard compared to so many other people on the planet, but that invitation is extended to EVERYONE! Ah it's such a blessing. How silly we would be to disregard it for whatever reason. Sometimes it really feels like we spend our lives setting up dominoes. Whether it be homework, chores, paying bills, going to work, taking a shower, consoling someone who always seems to need consolation, changing diapers, or just plain getting up in the morning trying to make it through another day, our lives are made up of billions of tiny decisions- tiny dominoes that fall so easily. And they all seem to fall at once, don't they? Sometimes someone pushes them over. Sometimes it's a breeze. Sometimes you just flat out did it wrong. Regardless of cause, it can definitely get frustrating to keep setting them up. How often do we really feel that our contributions are making a difference in the world?
Ellen Goodman wrote, "I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people who are convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference after another."
I am grateful for all of the struggles and contributions all of you are making in your lives. This week I am trying to remember that it's worth it- even when I feel like all I'm doing is setting up dominoes.
I've been a little on edge the last week, despite zone conference and the temple. This is probably where that dominoes idea came from. We have just run into a lot of nasty, mean people this week! One after the other! Maybe it's just because it's not in my nature to be purposefully hurtful to anyone, but I just don't understand that motive behind yelling at two young girls. MAYBE if we were being offensive or destructive. We've had people come up to us, stick a finger in our face and say slyly, "I know ALL about you and your church! And I don't want anything to do with it!" Or just come up and say, "I'm not voting for him!" Uh hey that's great! Assuming you're talking about Mitt Romney even though you didn't clarify, I'm actually not voting for him either! We don't vote as missionaries! I am currently being put to the test to see how much I can truly learn to "love one another." We are not hiding behind barriers of culture or language. I am asked to love people who know exactly what they are saying to me. We're not just asked to be kind to people who are kind to us. I am grateful for a chance to really learn this lesson. I'm also grateful for Sister Thomas. It's a lot nicer when you're not the only one getting cornered.
Well that's probably about it for this week. We are doing our best to go every day and help as many people as we can. Maybe one of the greatest lessons to learn on Earth is how to let people help you. Hopefully there will be more to report next week. If you please, just remember to send up a prayer for a couple of really tired- but really happy- missionaries in the middle of Buffalo, New York. My life is so good. I just want to make sure I'm able to use my time wisely.
I'm sending a few pictures! Sister Thomas chopped her hair off! I think it looks really good. Have a good week everyone! Off we go.
Hermana Raines
And this bumper sticker I found especially for Alex Christman esq
Natalie! Hi its Lela! I don't know if you remember me but I was with my roommate Zoe when we came to visit Palmyra some time back (she's jewish and I'm Christian lol). Well I live in buffalo, and I thought of you the other day so I thought I would stop by your blog and say hola! And! that I know exactly where that church is that you're standing in front of! Happy you were able to enjoy Buffalo!
ReplyDeleteLela M.