Let's just start with a quote from the Restoration movie from one of my heroes Joseph Smith, "sometimes God brings us low, to lift us up higher." Well this week He has brought me low. It was a real test of my faith and my commitment to Heavenly Father. He really tested me and is continuing to test me to see if I trust Him, really trust Him. I am trying to patiently wait until He lifts me back up again.
Sister Blair (well she is now Lauren now... 
) read this story to me quite a few months ago and I read it recently and I feel like I could relate to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. It may sound a bit dramatic, but it's the best way I can describe how this week went.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life..."
But then little things happened to help him keep going for a little longer.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink...
I know that when times are tough the problem won't always be fixed, but Heavenly Father will give us little things to help us keep going and doing the things He asks us to do.
Some of the things that helped me keep going this week were:
We made triple chocolate Ghirardelli brownies, got McDonald's fries.. some comfort food was much needed this week.
We have had an addition to our companionship and now we have been a trio! Sister Met is from Belgium and one of the kindest people I have ever been around! She is only here for a week though so we will say goodbye to her tomorrow. She has been a great support to us and has helped me focus on what really matters.
One of the recent converts texted us and said to come over so we could meet her friend! We went as soon as we could, that's like a miracle text! So we ended up teaching her friend and she is even letting us teach her more! She's had some really challenging times and has struggled with a lot of the things our little trio has gone through and is currently going through. It was amazing to see a blessing I received come true that my experiences and relationship with Christ can help others. I was thankful to know that what I am facing can benefit others.
Springtime is here and there are bright yellow flowers everywhere and cherry blossom trees. It's so pretty!
We have gone by lots of former investigators and found some great people who want to learn more so we are happy that Heavenly Father is leading us to prepared people!
Sister Mokeghle (my companion from Hull) is now in my zone which is a miracle! So fun to be reunited with mission friends!
I know that He will keep putting little cakes to help me keep going to do the work He has called me to do. We need to trust in His wisdom, not our incomplete knowledge. He knows the bigger picture whereas we can see just a little part of His plan.
I have wondered a lot this week how I can continue to serve this mission through this pain, wondering how Heavenly Father expects me to continue on. I feel as though there isn't much more I can do. But I am recognising something He wants me to learn, to rely on our Saviour's grace. He makes up for what I cannot and He loves me through it all.
I know Heavenly Father is so proud of each one of us when we push through, even when it's hard, and even when we don't want to. I know with His help we can do hard things! And we can say, "not my will, but thine be done."
I can't express how much the little emails I get from people saying, "I felt prompted to email you" mean. It helps me keep going and helps me to remember that everything will be okay. Don't ever deny or ignore a prompting!
I hope you can all see the little cakes that He gives to help us keep going. I know our Father in Heaven loves us, more than we can even comprehend.
Love, Sister Stevens
 |
| We teach this little girls' mom English and she kept attacking me. haha...so cute! |
 |
| Cherry Blossom Trees and the Trio |
