And also, I just want to say a quick thank you to all who
have sent me things these past couple weeks for Christmas! I didn't think about
writing them all down until we were doing our laundry and I didn't have them
all in front of me so I can't remember everyone. But even if I can't remember
who I got stuff from, it doesn't mean I'm not thankful because I really am!!!
So here are the names I remember... Brother Geertsen, the Parrott's, Renata,
the Urban's, Grandma and Grandpa K, and I don't remember if I thanked Grandma
and Grandpa Wheatley when they sent me Special K cookies! So thank you to
everyone that I have received things from! I really do love and appreciate it
all! It means so much to me!
And Happy Birthday to cousin Crista Tharp on the 26th,
Bekkah on the 27th, and Happy Anniversary to Sarah and Michael on the 27th, and
Bekkah and Jonny on the 29th! Love you all!
Ok... Now to get started on what happened this week. There
wasn't a whole lot but I feel very blessed for what I have learned these last
couple weeks as the world has brought their focus on Christ at this time of the
year.
Monday the 17th was a pretty good day. It was a very
relaxing Pday for Sister Amataga and I. We basically stayed at our home all day
to write letters, clean, and relax. Our zone had an activity but we decided to
just have a day to ourselves to get the little things done. And it was
wonderful!
Then that night we went over to Bishop Ferrell's house for
the Young Single Adults Christmas Family Home Evening. It was fun! It was kinda
weird for me because I'm such a quiet person and I don't do well in large crowds
of people when I don't know anyone but in the end, it turned out good! I talked
to a few of the members of the ward and they brought friends and I was able to
talk to them as well. And there was a white elephant gift exchange that night
but Sister Amataga and I forgot to bring ours so we weren't going to
participate. But the Elders had to leave early so they gave us their gift and
no one ended up wanting it, so it was ours to keep. When we opened the box,
there was a note that said "The best gift EVER!" and inside was a
little kids fanny pack (not sure if I spelled that right...) from the 90's with
Scooby-doo on it. And inside it, was something else. So we opened it and it was
a High School Musical locker box with HSM playing cards inside!!! So I immediately
grabbed the cards from Sister Amataga and said they were mine! haha I was
pretty excited!!! ;) But it was a good night getting to know that ward a little
better and having fun!
Then Tuesday the 18th not much happened than either but we
did go visit a less-active and have a very good gospel/Christmas discussion
with her. And her son's girlfriend was there as well so it was nice to have her
around and talk.
And to end off the night, we went to St. Dorothy's to help
out with the San Gabriel Valley winter homeless shelter. We walked in and the
lady in charge had us do a job that she does every year, which was to serve all
the homeless seconds of dinner. So we did that and in a good way, it was so
rewarding! You never know how small things in life are going to change your
thoughts for your future life. As we were standing there, we had people come up
to us and say "This is the first meal I have had all day. Thank you so
much!!" And so many other things that just tug at your heart strings. It
made me realize even more that I have been so blessed in my life! I never had
to worry whether there was going to be a meal on the table at night, whether it
was just left overs from the night before, Taco Bell, or a homemade dinner, I
never had to worry. We have been so blessed my whole life and I have taken that
for granted. And to just see someone's face light up when you give them a smile
of wished them a Merry Christmas, it was just wonderful! I think my parents did
a good job at teaching us to be grateful for the things we have and to serve
others but I just never realized how important it was until being out on my
mission. One small thing can change someone's life forever. And personally, I
think we all need to realize that a lot more. We go through life so quickly and
we don't take time to remember the important things, like food and shelter that
we have been so blessed with.
Then Wednesday the 19th was basically a day of contacting
people in the YSA ward and getting familiar with everything. We had a meeting
with Bishop Ferrell, which lasted much longer than I thought it was going to,
but it was very good! Not only was it good to get information about the ward
and see how we could help Bishop, but we were able to (hopefully...) gain his
trust in us so that we can have a good relationship as we are serving in the
ward. Oh... and not to mention, he has a family business where they make
designs and things for amusement parks and other places so he showed us a
little of what they do! OH MY HECK!!! It's so cool! They have made attractions
for Disneyland, Disney World, places in China and other foreign countries, and
they even designed Celin Dion's pool/spa area for her house in Florida (they
didn't know it was for her until after it aired on a tv show haha) Anyway, not
like that matters in missionary work but it was cool because they showed us all
these awesome attractions they have done! It was just sweet!
Then on Thursday the 20th, President Becerra showed up at
our District Meeting. I have said it before but I'll say it again, he always
shows up at our meetings or schedules a meeting right when I need it the most!
And for that I am thankful! He talked about how there are three things that we
need to change in our mission because they are "broken." And those
things are personal study, companionship study and district meetings. When he
asked us about that, we all shook our heads in agreement that yes, those are
broken in our mission. And that's really sad because those are the things that
start out each of our days. So we talked about how we can change that and how
we can help everyone else in the mission, especially with so many new
missionaries coming in in the next few months. And it just changed my whole
perspective. Then we talked about how we need to put away our weapons of war
like the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's did in the Book of Mormon. And we kinda talked a
little about what some of those things might be and how we can change it. So
many thoughts went running through my head about what kind of things I can
change to be a better missionary. I walked out of District Meeting that day
seeing so many new ways of how I can change! We were lucky enough also, to be
President's "guinea pigs" so that was nice because it wasn't anything
that he has talked about to other districts yet so it wasn't routine. It was
comfortable and nice!
Then that night we had a lesson with one of our less-actives
in the ward where we watched The Forgotten Carols. And I have seen the play
before but I think I was a little too young to have seen it when I did because
I didn't really like it the first time. But oh my goodness, it was one of the
best things I have ever watched before! I was in tears! That is one of the
things that has helped me to realize the important things in life. To remember
the forgotten things! It's like a quote that President said in District Meeting
that morning, "What will you remember when you forget everything?"
And I thought that kinda went along with The Forgotten Carols. It was just
wonderful! And I wish I could explain what it's about but for anyone who hasn't
seen it or read the book, you should go and try to find it online or at Deseret
Book or something because it is amazing! And after watching it, we had a very
good conversation with Sister Bright about it. It was just wonderful!
Then Friday was a pretty good day! We did our weekly
planning and had a very long companionship inventory. Comp inventory is not
something fun to do but in this case, it was much needed (not because we are
having troubles but for other reasons.) Then we had a meeting with one of the
members of the YSA ward and then dinner with a less-active/part member family
where we had my favorite tacos!!!! And we had good gospel conversation there
which was nice. But that's about all that happened on Friday.
Then Saturday we had a very rewarding morning. There's a
less-active/part member family that we are teaching that called us and had
three full turkey Christmas dinners that they needed us to find homes for. So
after talking to the Bishop we were able to take these meals to three families
that we know would be very grateful for them. And it was just fun to be able to
deliver them. We were able to find one of the families at home but just left
the other two on these family doorsteps. I don't know what their thoughts were but
it was so good and another rewarding thing to do for those in need.
Then to end the week, yesterday, Sunday the 23rd was just
wonderful!!! I was able to be apart of the ward choir again for the Christmas
program and it was so good! We sang Joseph Came Walking to Bethlehem and also
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (which has become one of my favorite songs
lately...) And at the end of sacrament meeting, the primary kids got up and
sang their Hallelujah chorus they sang at the Christmas party. Then they sang a
beautiful song called Peace Peace and at the end of that, we all sang together
Silent Night and the Spirit just overwhelmed me so much! I was happy and sad at
the same time. As I was sitting in sacrament yesterday, I saw all these
families sitting together and I just thought of my family back home and wanting
to be with them. But then I thought, that's why I'm on a mission, to help bring
other families together like all of these families. And it was just an amazing
feeling! It was so overwhelming but it changed me. I have been out for over
nine months and I haven't felt like I have made a different or that I have
changed but I realized yesterday that from here on out, I am going to work even
harder than ever because of the overwhelming feelings I felt yesterday.
Well, I just want to end by giving you my journal entry from
the other day. This is from 12/21/2012 (the day the world was supposed to end
LOL)
"This morning I have a lot on my mind. Christmas is
four days away and I'm really missing home. So much would be going on. Work at
DearElder.com would be crazy! Last minute shopping trips. Snow on the ground.
Presents to wrap. So much to do. But this year I am away from home. I don't get
to enjoy the business of work. I don't get to wrap presents or go shopping.
There's no visiting Santa Claus at the mall this year.
This year I'm a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. This year, as much as I'm missing my family, I get to enjoy
Christmas in a new way. I get to enjoy Christmas this year by serving. I will
be out at people's homes. I will be walking the streets of Glendora and San
Dimas. I will be looking for those homes where my heart tells me, "Go
knock on that door." And when I knock on "that door," I hope and
pray that the person who opens it will say, "I've been praying for
you."
Being away for Christmas this year has changed my
perspective. As nice as it has been to feel so loved when I receive boxes of
presents, gift cards to Panda Express, and Christmas cards with cash inside,
I've realized that none of that matters.** DISCLAIMER: I truly am grateful for the gifts, love and support I feel when I receive them. It's not about what I receive. It's
about what I give. And I had always been taught that as a kid. My parents were
always wonderful at teaching us these things. But being away from home this
year has really cleared my view. I'm not in the middle of all the holiday rush.
My life right now is slowed down and focused on one thing, spreading the good
news of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ here upon the earth. And as I've
realized that, my perspective of Christmas has changed. I don't know what
future Christmases will hold. Will I go back to my old ways and forget what I
have learned this year? I sure as heck hope not! I know that only I have the
power to change future Christmases to what I want them to be but life gets to
us, it's time to take a step back and see what is really important in life. I'm
so grateful for this year and all it has brought to me. I never thought I'd be
on a misison. But my Father in Heaven knows best and He sent me to the
California Arcadia mission for a reason. And if I could give one present to Him
and my Savior, Jesus Christ, it would be to work harder than I have these last
nine months. Time is flying by and I don't have much left. So as I spend
Christmas in California this year, I'm more grateful for this gift I have been
given, the gift to share what I KNOW to be true. Like I said earlier, as much
as I miss home and my friends and family, I have come to realize that there's
absolutely no where else I would rather be this year than on my mission. I know
that what I'm out here teaching is true. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I
know my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ loves me. And I know that He died for
each and everyone of us so that we can return to live with Him one day. I'm
grateful for this Christmas that has changed my life. I hope and pray that we
may all, wherever we may be, can give just a little more than we receive. Jesus
Christ gave His life for us, what can we do for Him?
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!!!
Love always,
Sister Rachel Anna Wheatley
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