Every missionary or prospective missionary must know that it is essential to your missionary experience to memorize quotes from all the church movies and then quote them with your companion. In Finding Faith in Christ, there is this little girl who says in this oddly cute but slightly annoying voice, "Tell us of the miracles." I repeatedly say that to Sister Wilson and I realized I have been such a slacker about sharing with you all the many miracles I experience on a daily basis. Please accept my humble apologies about my lameness in sharing neat experiences. To be truthful, I have seen so many miracles the last couple weeks that I get overwhelmed with trying to explain them to you, in such a short amount of time. So here I go trying once again to paint a picture of my life using a limited vocabulary that doesn't do my feelings justice.
My exotic food experience
This week has been filled with new food opportunities. I had a full blown Indian curry meal, complete with sitting on the floor. We had to choose a utensil and then eat with it. Mine just happened to be the one with a big hole right in the middle of it. I also ate an authentic German meal with this thing that I can't remember, but I do remember it was good. It made me think of Seth and I tried to remember what it was called so that I could tell him I had it but, alas, I can't. I also was privilege to try a Haitian meal. I must admit, very tasty! That's one of my favorite things about Florida, so many cultures!
The James Family
OK, so from the beginning of my mission I have prayed pretty much every night to be able to find a family of 5 to teach and help them become an eternal family. I also have this disgust for tracting. Well you see, it's so funny how the Lord works. Back in July we met Kelli and her family tracting. As you know, Kelli was baptized a few weeks ago and I mentioned about how I fasted for her husband and kids to "jump on board" (not the exact wording I used in my fast but you get the idea). Well since that horrible day at church where he didn't have the most joyous experience, I have seen a 100 percent turn around. So many little miracles that I cannot even describe to you have led us to be able to teach him and watch him and his family learn to not only love the gospel but also the Savior. I am so intrigued by this man. He has had a rough life, causing him to rightfully question the existence of a God and his relationship with him. He is now praying, reading the Book of Mormon, and asking his children to learn about it as well. Tonight will be watching the Joseph Smith movie with the whole family. In my opinion, that movie has some of the best one-liners, but that really doesn't have anything to do with what I am talking about now. I love this family so much. The husband is talking about the temple and how he wants an eternal marriage. We told him he needed to get baptized first. We're working on that part.
Exchanges
This past week I got to go on exchanges to my old area, New Tampa and serve with my old companion Sister Erb for a day. Have I mentioned before how much I love her!? Well I do. You know those certain people placed in your life at a certain time for a certain reason, yup, she is one. I see so much of myself in her. She is such an amazing lady and I can't wait to see her at the end of her mission. Well I spent the day with her going over the area book and teaching her about the new 12 week program that missionaries are doing. Through all this, I realized just how much I've grown in the last year. We talked about everything and the whole "life" topic. Man I LOVE my life!!
A year ago I was sitting in the same area, questioning my decision to serve a mission and more heavily questioning my ability to survive this thing they called a mission. Now a year later, going through the area book, walking the streets again, and reflecting, I came to the conclusion, I AM SOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!! I know that Heavenly Father really does hear my pleadings no matter how pathetic they may seem at times. I realized that although I am not a perfect missionary, I am fully aware of all my faults but I can honestly say I've given it my all and let me tell you, the best feeling in the world!! I've watched some dear friends of mine waste this time and worry about things they can't control. It breaks my heart listening to them say how they wish they would have used their time better. I know the joy and happiness that comes from giving it to the Lord and trusting him, being obedient and then working like you want to be here.
I am so blessed to be a missionary! I am so grateful for every day, yes, even those ones, I don't enjoy quite as much. Sister Lane aka Mary sent me this CD titled The Work: A Nashville Tribute to Missionaries. AMAZING! Well if you enjoy the country twain every once and a while. There is one song on there that is called "The Hardest Thing I've ever Loved to do" I love it! Also "I was Born" gets me every time. Anyway, here I am promoting music and not the gospel.
With that I'll close this weekly edition of the Thomas Times and send some pictures!
Love you
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