First week in the new area! Woo! It's been crazy.
First of all, I have been STUNNED at how much time we spend giving tours at the visitors' centers. It is such a stark difference from being full proselyting. It's fun in a lot of ways because so many fun people come in wanting to learn or wanting to finally see the places they've grown to love for so long. It's fun to be around the other missionaries and the Senior couples so much- a bunch of new people have come in since I was shipped out and they are AMAZING. Sister Hausauer and I have been having a blast already, too. I'm starting to wonder if you're allowed to get along with someone so well right off the bat? I'll take it though!
With all of that said, I still really miss Brockport. I think that's allowed ha. That area just has a special place in my heart and it probably always will. Just like Buffalo. I'm sure Brighton will carve it's place before too long as well. It was nice to be able to meet people throughout the area and in the ward this week- there are a TON of really strong members and it's interesting for me to try and find my place as a missionary. In past areas, there were PLENTY of things for missionaries to do because they were mobile search and rescue units. The church has an incredible organization where every member has other members who are assigned to take care of needs if there are any, and visit them from time to time to uplift, inspire, and encourage the individual as well as their family. When members of the ward go through a hard time, there is a system in place so that there are people who have responsibility already. When the members don't live up to that duty, the missionaries often fill in the gaps. It's pretty cool- in the Rochester 3rd ward there really aren't that many gaps. There's still plenty for us to do, but it'll be very different than where I was needed in Buffalo and Brockport. Happy and excited about it- just trying to figure out whats going on. Ha.
The weirdest phenomenon has been happening this week- everyone looks familiar! I think I might be losing my mind, but I seem to spend half of my time trying to figure out where I know people. Strange.
This week I have been thinking a lot about how often we complain about blessings these days. Maybe it just seems that way from where I'm sitting, but I've noticed it not only in many of those around me but in myself. When I say complain about blessings, I mean complaining when things aren't as wonderful as we would prefer them to be. Getting upset that a house isn't as functional as we would prefer or a meal isn't as satisfying or a lesson isn't as inspiring as it could have been. Shouldn't we be grateful that it was anything good? I just realized how frustrating it must be for those in worse circumstances. Consider it- would you complain about your outfit in front of someone who has holes in their shoes? Would you complain about a bad hair day to someone with alopecia? Would you complain about eating something less than appealing to someone without food at all? I'd like to think about that more in the future when I think I've got it bad. So embarrassing. That's part of the reason I think we are commanded to pray often! When we feel that our lives are lamentable, Heavenly Father can lovingly remind us of one who never enjoyed selfish pleasure- Jesus Christ.
In other news! This weekend I met back up with Sister Wall and we ran a 5k! It was her first ever and she did great! Our time was 31:39 and I felt super good afterwords which is a good sign. We're thinking we should work up to a half marathon in the future...a bunch of missionaries ran in it. Sister Hausauer and Torres had been asked to cook pancakes for the breakfast afterwords so we just did a switch for a while. I love the atmosphere of races. There were quite a few kids that ran in it, too. All weekend I've thought a lot about families I've known and the possibility of my own in the future. I've been super pensive all weekend- pretty quiet. Sister Hausauer probably thinks I'm getting sick. Changes just bring on a lot of new thoughts. Whenever that happens though you just can't seem to shake that tired feeling. I wonder if I'll ever not be tired.
Some days you all seem so distant! Like I routinely get on the computer and talk to myself or something. It's gotten to be more like that the longer I've been on my mission. I keep hearing about other friends who have gotten home or thinking of friends who I know will get home soon. That seems like a different dimension now. I hope everyone is well and dealing with whatever adjustments may be sneaking up on them with as much strength as they can muster. That matrix feeling is something else.
That's...all I've got. Exciting city stories to come next week.
Till then,
Hermana Raines
P.S. We spent the day today raking leaves with 2 of the elders we serve with and one of them tried to fix my tiny guitar! He deemed it to need professional help. But it's still exciting! One day that thing will be my pride and joy. It's pretty close now. Lil cutie.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sell that cabin
Haha...I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED.
Again!
This will be my fourth area and fourth companion. I will really miss Brockport. It's been a crazy up and down experience, but I have loved my time here. Packing this morning has been the weirdest experience...I feel like it really is time for me to go but I snuggled right into this area.
Where am I going, you ask? Into the city! I've predicted my whole mission that I would end up in Brighton and it looks to be true. Brighton is a Spanish sisters area and it's in the city of Rochester. Brockport was about 45 minutes from the inner city and now I'm maybe 5. I'm going with Sister Hausauer who is from Utah (3 out of 4 so far- what odds?) and she was actually my first friend in the mission so this...may or may not turn out to be a party! Pretty close to a dream. I expect to be in Brighton until the end of my mission which is 7 months from today. I'm actually the most nervous I've been on my mission to go into this area though because I am replacing Sister Torres- she was in Brighton for 9 transfers (a full year) and she is a native from Nicaragua. How in the world am I supposed to step in there?! I have never been more grateful for my study and experience with Spanish before my mission. Sheesh. I'm so used to starting fresh with an area that I'm really not sure what to expect. Here we go!
So with that exciting announcement, moving on.
It's cold again.
Which means...tights.
Ugh. Tights.
This week one morning as I was putting on my tights I had a vivid flashback of being a little girl and watching my dad put tights on me before church. I always wanted to stick my tiny feet in and pull them up like a pair of jeans, but Dad always bunched them up first and pulled them up like a slinky. I couldn't help but appreciate how much I've learned since I've been young. That might seem like an inconsequential thing, but so much that I've picked up over the years has built into whatever strengths and weaknesses I carry around now. Things like how to put on tights or how to do the dishes have helped me as an adult and missionary in obvious ways. When I was in elementary school we moved almost every year. Now I've hopped around the Rochester Mission like it's a snack bar! I wonder if the skills I've needed to move so often started being developed in that early experience. Behaviors like selfishness and intolerance (picked up pretty naturally I would think) are patterns that I continually have to put aside. Not having sisters has made living with a girl 24/7 a little interesting and it's something I'm still adapting to. There are so many things that have prepped me for what I'm doing now. I assume it'll continue that way- one day when I'm a grandma I'll look back on my time as a missionary and see how I was being prepped for my reponsibilities and trials in the future. Little did my dad know when he helped me put on tights before church on Sundays that he was preparing me to be a missionary! I'm grateful for who I am becoming.
This week...definitely let me know that I was moving. Often when it's time for a missionary to move, the people who you were working with that particularly connected to you make their choice. Too busy, too comfortable, too smart for their own good. Satisfied not learning anything else. When I've done what I needed to do, it's time for me to go. It was like that in Shortsville and Buffalo, too. It's a hard feeling, but at least there is closure. I'm grateful for how many people I have come to love so quickly.
I'd upload photos but these computers really hate me, so maybe in my next area I'll have a way to do it. I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry that this week's email is a little short. All is well with me. I am happy. Next week, you'll hear from the city of Rochester. WHATS UP.
Love you all :)
Sister Raines
Again!
This will be my fourth area and fourth companion. I will really miss Brockport. It's been a crazy up and down experience, but I have loved my time here. Packing this morning has been the weirdest experience...I feel like it really is time for me to go but I snuggled right into this area.
Where am I going, you ask? Into the city! I've predicted my whole mission that I would end up in Brighton and it looks to be true. Brighton is a Spanish sisters area and it's in the city of Rochester. Brockport was about 45 minutes from the inner city and now I'm maybe 5. I'm going with Sister Hausauer who is from Utah (3 out of 4 so far- what odds?) and she was actually my first friend in the mission so this...may or may not turn out to be a party! Pretty close to a dream. I expect to be in Brighton until the end of my mission which is 7 months from today. I'm actually the most nervous I've been on my mission to go into this area though because I am replacing Sister Torres- she was in Brighton for 9 transfers (a full year) and she is a native from Nicaragua. How in the world am I supposed to step in there?! I have never been more grateful for my study and experience with Spanish before my mission. Sheesh. I'm so used to starting fresh with an area that I'm really not sure what to expect. Here we go!
So with that exciting announcement, moving on.
It's cold again.
Which means...tights.
Ugh. Tights.
This week one morning as I was putting on my tights I had a vivid flashback of being a little girl and watching my dad put tights on me before church. I always wanted to stick my tiny feet in and pull them up like a pair of jeans, but Dad always bunched them up first and pulled them up like a slinky. I couldn't help but appreciate how much I've learned since I've been young. That might seem like an inconsequential thing, but so much that I've picked up over the years has built into whatever strengths and weaknesses I carry around now. Things like how to put on tights or how to do the dishes have helped me as an adult and missionary in obvious ways. When I was in elementary school we moved almost every year. Now I've hopped around the Rochester Mission like it's a snack bar! I wonder if the skills I've needed to move so often started being developed in that early experience. Behaviors like selfishness and intolerance (picked up pretty naturally I would think) are patterns that I continually have to put aside. Not having sisters has made living with a girl 24/7 a little interesting and it's something I'm still adapting to. There are so many things that have prepped me for what I'm doing now. I assume it'll continue that way- one day when I'm a grandma I'll look back on my time as a missionary and see how I was being prepped for my reponsibilities and trials in the future. Little did my dad know when he helped me put on tights before church on Sundays that he was preparing me to be a missionary! I'm grateful for who I am becoming.
This week...definitely let me know that I was moving. Often when it's time for a missionary to move, the people who you were working with that particularly connected to you make their choice. Too busy, too comfortable, too smart for their own good. Satisfied not learning anything else. When I've done what I needed to do, it's time for me to go. It was like that in Shortsville and Buffalo, too. It's a hard feeling, but at least there is closure. I'm grateful for how many people I have come to love so quickly.
I'd upload photos but these computers really hate me, so maybe in my next area I'll have a way to do it. I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry that this week's email is a little short. All is well with me. I am happy. Next week, you'll hear from the city of Rochester. WHATS UP.
Love you all :)
Sister Raines
Ode to Sunshine
Conference weekend is over! So sad. Much to say about that.
But first, I found something today that was...interesting. It's an internet-button-deal that proclaims:
"Just shut up, okay?
I'm allowed to dislike somebody who hurt me.
I'm allowed to say what I want,
laugh how I want,
do what I want,
and be who I want.
This is my life, and if you don't like it
then there's something wrong with yours, not mine."
I'm sorry but I had a really hard time not laughing when I read that! It occurred to me that the fact that someone felt it was cool or even just acceptable to not only have an attitude like that but to wear it means things have changed quite a bit. It's true- anyone is allowed to dislike someone who hurt them or to do whatever they want. Clearly the purpose of the blurb was to revile judgement, but what it really ended up doing was identifying an individual who was seeking to dodge consequences. What does it help to dislike someone who causes you pain? We all get hurt. A better proclamation would incite forgiveness to those who don't ask for it, saying whatever would uplift and encourage, laughing with those who need a good laugh instead of at them, doing good, and being good. Sure, hormonal preteen- you have the ability to live your life however you'd like. Just make sure you know what it is you're asking for.
These are the kinds of things I learn doing internet proselyting. Sheesh.
Ok! So I would tell you which talk was my favorite from conference but I can't pick because there were too many! I think my favorite session was Saturday morning....maybe Saturday afternoon. They were all spectacular and I got a lot of answers to things I've had questions about. More importantly, I got homework! Kind of. Ha :) I've found that normally an answer to prayer comes in the form of homework. Rarely do I ask questions like "Should I go to church on Sunday?" because those questions have pretty easy answers. The questions I come to meetings like that with are normally a lot more difficult. How do I help someone who is hurting? What should I do to get rid of this pain? How can I prepare for my future family? How can I be a better citizen? Those questions yield some serious results- and leads me to change who I am afterwords! Every experience reading scriptures, praying, and receiving direction from the spirit should lead us to be stronger, and more aligned with what we need to do to find happiness- the REAL stuff- for ourselves and for others.
One story that really stood out to me was that of when Christ comes to some of His apostles after He has risen from the dead. Peter and several other apostles, grieved and seemingly defeated after Christ's death, return to fishing. They were fishermen, and now that their leader was gone, they would go back to what they knew how to do. This is where Christ asks Peter, "Do you love me?" The experience ultimately flings the "fisherman again turned apostle" into his full throttle discipleship- a discipleship that worked wonders until his martyrdom. Christ needed Peter to understand that if he was to do this work, he needed to really do it! There's no turning back, you know? We never go back to our nets. Did Peter expect that the work would stop? In a way, I could see the exchange between Peter and the Savior happening to me. If I were asked, "Do you love me?" and if I were to reply, "Yeah Lord, Thou knowest I love thee," would He then turn and ask me, "Then why are you here again? Why are you doing this?" I want to be good and do good. Not because I'm trying to earn anything, but because it's what He's asked of me. Does that make sense?
You may have guessed...I have a new song this week haha. I don't know WHAT the deal is with Brockport but here we are again. One day I really will record these, if only for memory purposes.
Dawn dispels the darkness
When the window lets it through
Rise and shine and pull the blinds
And hope for something new
Keep your faith in people
Even when your read the news
Sometimes we all lose our way
When we are left to choose
Don't look now, but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway
Paralysis of life's regrets
Comes knocking now and then
Days when I am stifled by
"If" and "could have been"
Aching for the innocence
That left you long ago
Sometimes begging God above
To take back all you know
Don't look now but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway
Don't give up, keep going
All the seeds you're sewing
Cannot be seen from where you stand
But there's a bigger plan
Don't you quit- keep walking
Even if the whole town's talking
Kneel when you've no strength to stand
There's a bigger plan
Don't look now but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake, and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway
That song took a lot out of me- I spent a few days in some kind of recovery haha. My hope is that these will help/have helped someone along the way. I always think of Alaina because I know she appreciates lyrics the same way I do. Anyways folks I'm heading out for today. If you're wondering what you should do now that this email is ending, let me help you. Go watch conference or watch it again!
Aren't I helpful :)
Love!
Sister Raines
But first, I found something today that was...interesting. It's an internet-button-deal that proclaims:
"Just shut up, okay?
I'm allowed to dislike somebody who hurt me.
I'm allowed to say what I want,
laugh how I want,
do what I want,
and be who I want.
This is my life, and if you don't like it
then there's something wrong with yours, not mine."
I'm sorry but I had a really hard time not laughing when I read that! It occurred to me that the fact that someone felt it was cool or even just acceptable to not only have an attitude like that but to wear it means things have changed quite a bit. It's true- anyone is allowed to dislike someone who hurt them or to do whatever they want. Clearly the purpose of the blurb was to revile judgement, but what it really ended up doing was identifying an individual who was seeking to dodge consequences. What does it help to dislike someone who causes you pain? We all get hurt. A better proclamation would incite forgiveness to those who don't ask for it, saying whatever would uplift and encourage, laughing with those who need a good laugh instead of at them, doing good, and being good. Sure, hormonal preteen- you have the ability to live your life however you'd like. Just make sure you know what it is you're asking for.
These are the kinds of things I learn doing internet proselyting. Sheesh.
Ok! So I would tell you which talk was my favorite from conference but I can't pick because there were too many! I think my favorite session was Saturday morning....maybe Saturday afternoon. They were all spectacular and I got a lot of answers to things I've had questions about. More importantly, I got homework! Kind of. Ha :) I've found that normally an answer to prayer comes in the form of homework. Rarely do I ask questions like "Should I go to church on Sunday?" because those questions have pretty easy answers. The questions I come to meetings like that with are normally a lot more difficult. How do I help someone who is hurting? What should I do to get rid of this pain? How can I prepare for my future family? How can I be a better citizen? Those questions yield some serious results- and leads me to change who I am afterwords! Every experience reading scriptures, praying, and receiving direction from the spirit should lead us to be stronger, and more aligned with what we need to do to find happiness- the REAL stuff- for ourselves and for others.
One story that really stood out to me was that of when Christ comes to some of His apostles after He has risen from the dead. Peter and several other apostles, grieved and seemingly defeated after Christ's death, return to fishing. They were fishermen, and now that their leader was gone, they would go back to what they knew how to do. This is where Christ asks Peter, "Do you love me?" The experience ultimately flings the "fisherman again turned apostle" into his full throttle discipleship- a discipleship that worked wonders until his martyrdom. Christ needed Peter to understand that if he was to do this work, he needed to really do it! There's no turning back, you know? We never go back to our nets. Did Peter expect that the work would stop? In a way, I could see the exchange between Peter and the Savior happening to me. If I were asked, "Do you love me?" and if I were to reply, "Yeah Lord, Thou knowest I love thee," would He then turn and ask me, "Then why are you here again? Why are you doing this?" I want to be good and do good. Not because I'm trying to earn anything, but because it's what He's asked of me. Does that make sense?
You may have guessed...I have a new song this week haha. I don't know WHAT the deal is with Brockport but here we are again. One day I really will record these, if only for memory purposes.
Dawn dispels the darkness
When the window lets it through
Rise and shine and pull the blinds
And hope for something new
Keep your faith in people
Even when your read the news
Sometimes we all lose our way
When we are left to choose
Don't look now, but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway
Paralysis of life's regrets
Comes knocking now and then
Days when I am stifled by
"If" and "could have been"
Aching for the innocence
That left you long ago
Sometimes begging God above
To take back all you know
Don't look now but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway
Don't give up, keep going
All the seeds you're sewing
Cannot be seen from where you stand
But there's a bigger plan
Don't you quit- keep walking
Even if the whole town's talking
Kneel when you've no strength to stand
There's a bigger plan
Don't look now but tomorrow is coming
And you still can't catch today
Full of hope that this time will do it for you
If you wake, and nothing's changed
You'll make it through the day anyway
That song took a lot out of me- I spent a few days in some kind of recovery haha. My hope is that these will help/have helped someone along the way. I always think of Alaina because I know she appreciates lyrics the same way I do. Anyways folks I'm heading out for today. If you're wondering what you should do now that this email is ending, let me help you. Go watch conference or watch it again!
Aren't I helpful :)
Love!
Sister Raines
Instrumental
This week was the General Relief Society Broadcast! And let me tell you...it was so good. There was a point in the middle somewhere when we stood and sung (11th inning stretch?) and for some reason my heart caught and I felt SUCH pride to be a woman! No haters out there. I just looked around the room and was so proud of all the beautiful women I have had a chance to know and serve in Rochester, New York. There was a woman with down syndrome standing in front of the lot of us singing her heart out, a row of ladies behind me who do much more than they ever receive credit for, Sister Thomas and her new companion on my left, and dear Sister Wall on my right. There's a new General Relief Society presidency so this was my first time hearing them speak and they were wonderful! I know very little about their backgrounds and experiences but I'm grateful for what they stand for. I look forward to getting to know them better as we hear them speak....THIS WEEKEND!
Hey that's right! It's time again for General Conference! I'm so excited. Saturday and Sunday just go to gc.lds.org and hit up at least a few talks! If you think about it, it really is a magnificent opportunity. Think of Peter or Abraham or Elijah- if you got the chance to hear more from one of them, wouldn't you at least be curious about what they would say? In truth, the prophet and apostles of our day have invited us to hear what they have to say. It's our choice to take it for what it's worth, but how would anyone not be at least a little curious? As Christ said, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matt. 11:15)
Since this week was the end of the month, we....started running out of miles. We have a fixed limit for the month and because we went to Palmyra for interviews among a few extra trips to the outermost part of our area, we were cutting it close. We ended up staying under because we walked most everywhere this week, which provided me with a lot of fresh air, time to think, and stronger legs! Plus a deep appreciation for those shoes of mine. Anyways it was a good week. Not much news really, but it was good. Only 2 weeks left in the transfer, so we'll see where this next bend takes me.
I hope everyone is doing well- I'm waaaay behind on writing letters so I apologize. We're in Rochester today because Sister Wall had another doctors appointment. Hallelujah that I haven't had any need for a doctor or dentist or anything on my mission! Whew. Have a great week everyone :) Sorry it was short this week.
Sister Raines
PS. You all should really watch this video. http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1737858986001
It's the third in a series of three, but I liked the last one the most and I know most of you will disregard what I put up here so I've got a better shot at encouraging you to watch just one. Elder Bednar is one of the 12 apostles. I'm grateful for his inspiration and concern for all who go through a hard time (meaning everyone on the Earth). Let me know what you think!
Hey that's right! It's time again for General Conference! I'm so excited. Saturday and Sunday just go to gc.lds.org and hit up at least a few talks! If you think about it, it really is a magnificent opportunity. Think of Peter or Abraham or Elijah- if you got the chance to hear more from one of them, wouldn't you at least be curious about what they would say? In truth, the prophet and apostles of our day have invited us to hear what they have to say. It's our choice to take it for what it's worth, but how would anyone not be at least a little curious? As Christ said, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matt. 11:15)
Since this week was the end of the month, we....started running out of miles. We have a fixed limit for the month and because we went to Palmyra for interviews among a few extra trips to the outermost part of our area, we were cutting it close. We ended up staying under because we walked most everywhere this week, which provided me with a lot of fresh air, time to think, and stronger legs! Plus a deep appreciation for those shoes of mine. Anyways it was a good week. Not much news really, but it was good. Only 2 weeks left in the transfer, so we'll see where this next bend takes me.
I hope everyone is doing well- I'm waaaay behind on writing letters so I apologize. We're in Rochester today because Sister Wall had another doctors appointment. Hallelujah that I haven't had any need for a doctor or dentist or anything on my mission! Whew. Have a great week everyone :) Sorry it was short this week.
Sister Raines
PS. You all should really watch this video. http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1737858986001
It's the third in a series of three, but I liked the last one the most and I know most of you will disregard what I put up here so I've got a better shot at encouraging you to watch just one. Elder Bednar is one of the 12 apostles. I'm grateful for his inspiration and concern for all who go through a hard time (meaning everyone on the Earth). Let me know what you think!
Tiny Bibles
"The world is a beautiful place, and perhaps nowhere more so than during the Autumn in New York." -Patricia West
Dear friends, this week was pure insanity. The mom in the family we've been teaching took off- she's moved out and taken to drinking which she's apparently never done in her life. Mary has been sick all week so we weren't able to see her, and Connie has decided she wants to continue to learn more on her own without our assistance. That's all we've had- my hope has been building in people and their ability to choose to do the right thing against all odds or circumstances, and then this week I had to see if I really believed that. I don't really have that much evidence that it happens ha. A few weeks ago I started a "joy in the journey" focus and study. It's interesting to me that as I started to try and learn to find happiness and peace in life regardless of circumstance, Heavenly Father upped the stakes to see if I was really serious about learning this lesson. Well let me tell you, I am! And I admire the attitude of Pat West, who said the above quote in a talk she gave yesterday.
Yesterday another missionary and I were going through Moroni chapter 7 and we started talking about things we take for granted so often. In the list were things like living in a free country, use of limbs, modern medicine, technology, food supply...it really could go on forever. I started thinking about my "joy in the journey" theme in that light and it occurred to me that it's silly that I even have to search to find joy in a journey with so many blessings. As I sat in church yesterday my heart was heavy looking around at all of the families I've come to know and love so much. As a missionary you get a very personal view of the challenges and obstacles people face. Brockport is littered with people in pain, each of them tirelessly searching for peace. It can be easy to be overwhelmed with the things that hurt, it's true. I'm embarrassed that so often I focus in so much on the hard things that the blessings become blurry and sidelined. Life is hard- it wasn't created to be easy because then we would emerge unchanged. It's also a beautiful, magnificent gift. I am grateful for perspective.
You all may have heard this already but someone said it yesterday and I think it's sweet so I'll share:
'Your task is to build a better world,' God said.
I answered, 'How?... this world is such a large, vast place
and there's nothing I can do.'
But God said, in all His wisdom said,
'just build a better you.'
I want so much to help people make good decisions- to resolve disputes through love instead of contention, to make selfless decisions instead of selfish ones, to keep working and trying even when weary, to give to others even when we don't think we have anything to give, to pray when we're not sure if anyone is even there to listen. If I could I would instantaneously instill hope in everyone who reads this, but it means more when you look for it on your own anyways.
This week is going to be a better one! Not necessarily because better things will happen, but because I'm determined to be better. You'll see :)
That's all for this week, I think. I sure do love a lot of people out there- I hope you're all doing alright.
Till next week,
Hermana Ray
P.S. This morning I remembered the fish kiss thing Sean and I used to do and busted up laughing. He's gonna kill me for embarrassing him when I get home! Muahaha
Dear friends, this week was pure insanity. The mom in the family we've been teaching took off- she's moved out and taken to drinking which she's apparently never done in her life. Mary has been sick all week so we weren't able to see her, and Connie has decided she wants to continue to learn more on her own without our assistance. That's all we've had- my hope has been building in people and their ability to choose to do the right thing against all odds or circumstances, and then this week I had to see if I really believed that. I don't really have that much evidence that it happens ha. A few weeks ago I started a "joy in the journey" focus and study. It's interesting to me that as I started to try and learn to find happiness and peace in life regardless of circumstance, Heavenly Father upped the stakes to see if I was really serious about learning this lesson. Well let me tell you, I am! And I admire the attitude of Pat West, who said the above quote in a talk she gave yesterday.
Yesterday another missionary and I were going through Moroni chapter 7 and we started talking about things we take for granted so often. In the list were things like living in a free country, use of limbs, modern medicine, technology, food supply...it really could go on forever. I started thinking about my "joy in the journey" theme in that light and it occurred to me that it's silly that I even have to search to find joy in a journey with so many blessings. As I sat in church yesterday my heart was heavy looking around at all of the families I've come to know and love so much. As a missionary you get a very personal view of the challenges and obstacles people face. Brockport is littered with people in pain, each of them tirelessly searching for peace. It can be easy to be overwhelmed with the things that hurt, it's true. I'm embarrassed that so often I focus in so much on the hard things that the blessings become blurry and sidelined. Life is hard- it wasn't created to be easy because then we would emerge unchanged. It's also a beautiful, magnificent gift. I am grateful for perspective.
You all may have heard this already but someone said it yesterday and I think it's sweet so I'll share:
'Your task is to build a better world,' God said.
I answered, 'How?... this world is such a large, vast place
and there's nothing I can do.'
But God said, in all His wisdom said,
'just build a better you.'
I want so much to help people make good decisions- to resolve disputes through love instead of contention, to make selfless decisions instead of selfish ones, to keep working and trying even when weary, to give to others even when we don't think we have anything to give, to pray when we're not sure if anyone is even there to listen. If I could I would instantaneously instill hope in everyone who reads this, but it means more when you look for it on your own anyways.
This week is going to be a better one! Not necessarily because better things will happen, but because I'm determined to be better. You'll see :)
That's all for this week, I think. I sure do love a lot of people out there- I hope you're all doing alright.
Till next week,
Hermana Ray
P.S. This morning I remembered the fish kiss thing Sean and I used to do and busted up laughing. He's gonna kill me for embarrassing him when I get home! Muahaha
Clarendon
Sometimes writing these emails is really lame because I would much rather explain in person. Typing is so silly.
This week ended up good. I've found that often before really good things, all hell breaks loose. I think it's to make the rainbow at the end more beautiful for you, and maybe a reward for all the work it took to get through the storm. Either way! So this week was the first week working with the new Elders and the smaller area! It was nice. We got a chance to go into parts of our area that we've never seen, and let me tell you- I am living in one beautiful place! There are these long stretches of fields and orchards with very few people but it's nice when you need a bit of time to think. These days it seems I run into those moments alot. This Earth is one beautiful place.
This week was full of Spanish randomly! ...I don't really know what happened! When I say full, that is relatively speaking. I taught like 4 lessons in Spanish. Sometimes I think Heavenly Father sends some of those my way just so I don't lose it and then it's over. We'll see! There's a man named Jose who comes to church every Sunday but doesn't want to read in the Book of Mormon because he's Catholic. But he's been taking us to teach his friends haha. He's...very interesting. None of his friends speak English, but Jose speaks English very quickly with an extremely thick, Salvadorian accent. He's just as difficult to understand speaking English as he is in Spanish, so normally he's just passed on to me. Just such a funny circumstance all around.
We've been teaching the Albright family, a lady named Mary and a lady named Connie consistently. It's strange how much I've come to care about these people! I mean it's easy to love people in general, but week after week as I come to understand their fears and concerns and background these people really come to own a part of me in a way. We open ourselves up- we're so vulnerable- and it's worth it! But I know that any day someone could turn around and suddenly decide they don't want us to come back. It happened in Buffalo, and I know it's possible to happen here. It's just so hard to get over! I hope and pray it doesn't happen with the people we're teaching now. I really do love them so much.
This week was also the real change from summer to autumn. It's cold and it ain't turning back! Everyone keeps talking about how cold this winter will be...maybe they're all crazy! Or maybe I'll come back with a ton of stories! We shall see.
I know I've thought a lot about things this week, but my head is still kind of a jumbled mess so I'm having trouble writing anything ha. Hopefully by next week more will be processed and I'll have more to say. For now, just know that I am doing well, working hard, and growing a lot. I hope everyone else can say the same.
Till next week,
Sister Raines
This week ended up good. I've found that often before really good things, all hell breaks loose. I think it's to make the rainbow at the end more beautiful for you, and maybe a reward for all the work it took to get through the storm. Either way! So this week was the first week working with the new Elders and the smaller area! It was nice. We got a chance to go into parts of our area that we've never seen, and let me tell you- I am living in one beautiful place! There are these long stretches of fields and orchards with very few people but it's nice when you need a bit of time to think. These days it seems I run into those moments alot. This Earth is one beautiful place.
This week was full of Spanish randomly! ...I don't really know what happened! When I say full, that is relatively speaking. I taught like 4 lessons in Spanish. Sometimes I think Heavenly Father sends some of those my way just so I don't lose it and then it's over. We'll see! There's a man named Jose who comes to church every Sunday but doesn't want to read in the Book of Mormon because he's Catholic. But he's been taking us to teach his friends haha. He's...very interesting. None of his friends speak English, but Jose speaks English very quickly with an extremely thick, Salvadorian accent. He's just as difficult to understand speaking English as he is in Spanish, so normally he's just passed on to me. Just such a funny circumstance all around.
We've been teaching the Albright family, a lady named Mary and a lady named Connie consistently. It's strange how much I've come to care about these people! I mean it's easy to love people in general, but week after week as I come to understand their fears and concerns and background these people really come to own a part of me in a way. We open ourselves up- we're so vulnerable- and it's worth it! But I know that any day someone could turn around and suddenly decide they don't want us to come back. It happened in Buffalo, and I know it's possible to happen here. It's just so hard to get over! I hope and pray it doesn't happen with the people we're teaching now. I really do love them so much.
This week was also the real change from summer to autumn. It's cold and it ain't turning back! Everyone keeps talking about how cold this winter will be...maybe they're all crazy! Or maybe I'll come back with a ton of stories! We shall see.
I know I've thought a lot about things this week, but my head is still kind of a jumbled mess so I'm having trouble writing anything ha. Hopefully by next week more will be processed and I'll have more to say. For now, just know that I am doing well, working hard, and growing a lot. I hope everyone else can say the same.
Till next week,
Sister Raines
Fried Green Tomatoes
Transfer calls came! And...I'm still here! However they are splitting Brockport in two and we are getting a set of Elders which is nice. This area is so dadgum huge. Plus, it'll be nice to have more people out here to add to our tiny 4 person district. On to bigger and better things- 6 person district here we come! The Elders are Elder Jones and Elder Perkins, both of which are really great. Elder Jones served in Canandaigua with me so it'll be fun to have him in the same ward again. Elder Perkins is one of the nicest Elders out here! And we just recently found out that he was a rodeo star in Idaho....WHAT?!
This week was good. Nothing extremely new or extraordinary, but it was good. Forever I spend trying to be a better person and working as hard as I can. Some weeks the fruit of your labor is manifest, and other weeks you're just a few more miles down the road. There were, for some reason though, a ton of particularly beautiful scenes this week- a huge moon, beautiful sunset, stretching cornfields...maybe they've always been there and I've just never noticed! In any event, I'm grateful for the beauty of the Earth. What a gem it is.
We did a lot of service this week! Maybe that's why I'm drawing a blank. It was really good and ultimately (for better or for worse) I have a lot of time to think when we do service. It's harvest time for peppers and tomatoes so we've been helping some older ladies who ended up with more produce than they could handle in the hot sun :) We have also been helping people clean and organize their house. I'm really grateful that we learned early to clean and everything. Life is so much easier with a neat house! Yikes.
To be honest, if I had a large soapbox, I would be tempted to use it. If I could help the world understand one thing it would be to be reliable. When you promise to pay someone back, to clean behind your ear, to keep a secret, or anything else that we give our word for, do it! Marriages would work again, people would trust, those truly in need of help could receive it, the nice guy wouldn't get cheated, and we would all end up a lot happier. So much depends on simply following through when you say you will do something. I want to be a person made of honesty and integrity.
We're still teaching Rick and Colleen- I can't remember if I've mentioned them before, but we've been teaching them for a few weeks now. They are really really wonderful, but Rick especially is having a hard time humbling himself enough to see that God answers prayers in His time and in His way. Unless we come to Him in reverence and meekness, we're kind of wasting our time. How silly is it to come in combat with the Almighty? Especially when He wants to help us in the first place? We also started teaching their daughter Shawna (she's 23) and she's really made some pretty damaging decisions already. She has trouble believing that she could ever be a different person- that she could ever be rid of her past mistakes. It's when I'm teaching people like that that I come to better understand the Atonement. I don't believe that Christ suffered so that "bad" people could sin and get off the hook, but I do believe that He suffered so that bad people wishing to become new could do so. Shawna has a good heart. She hasn't led the best life in the few years she's had, but as the prophet, Thomas S. Monson said, "The future is as bright as your faith." I look forward to trying to help her understand potential. Isn't is such a blessing that we have that available to us? I wish all the world could know of Christ's love and sacrifice.
Well that's pretty much the update for this week. I'm sure the coming week will bring many new surprises! I hope school is going well for everyone. Love,
Sister Raines
This week was good. Nothing extremely new or extraordinary, but it was good. Forever I spend trying to be a better person and working as hard as I can. Some weeks the fruit of your labor is manifest, and other weeks you're just a few more miles down the road. There were, for some reason though, a ton of particularly beautiful scenes this week- a huge moon, beautiful sunset, stretching cornfields...maybe they've always been there and I've just never noticed! In any event, I'm grateful for the beauty of the Earth. What a gem it is.
We did a lot of service this week! Maybe that's why I'm drawing a blank. It was really good and ultimately (for better or for worse) I have a lot of time to think when we do service. It's harvest time for peppers and tomatoes so we've been helping some older ladies who ended up with more produce than they could handle in the hot sun :) We have also been helping people clean and organize their house. I'm really grateful that we learned early to clean and everything. Life is so much easier with a neat house! Yikes.
To be honest, if I had a large soapbox, I would be tempted to use it. If I could help the world understand one thing it would be to be reliable. When you promise to pay someone back, to clean behind your ear, to keep a secret, or anything else that we give our word for, do it! Marriages would work again, people would trust, those truly in need of help could receive it, the nice guy wouldn't get cheated, and we would all end up a lot happier. So much depends on simply following through when you say you will do something. I want to be a person made of honesty and integrity.
We're still teaching Rick and Colleen- I can't remember if I've mentioned them before, but we've been teaching them for a few weeks now. They are really really wonderful, but Rick especially is having a hard time humbling himself enough to see that God answers prayers in His time and in His way. Unless we come to Him in reverence and meekness, we're kind of wasting our time. How silly is it to come in combat with the Almighty? Especially when He wants to help us in the first place? We also started teaching their daughter Shawna (she's 23) and she's really made some pretty damaging decisions already. She has trouble believing that she could ever be a different person- that she could ever be rid of her past mistakes. It's when I'm teaching people like that that I come to better understand the Atonement. I don't believe that Christ suffered so that "bad" people could sin and get off the hook, but I do believe that He suffered so that bad people wishing to become new could do so. Shawna has a good heart. She hasn't led the best life in the few years she's had, but as the prophet, Thomas S. Monson said, "The future is as bright as your faith." I look forward to trying to help her understand potential. Isn't is such a blessing that we have that available to us? I wish all the world could know of Christ's love and sacrifice.
Well that's pretty much the update for this week. I'm sure the coming week will bring many new surprises! I hope school is going well for everyone. Love,
Sister Raines
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