1) Beautiful flowers from Grandma
2) Brooklyn in the fall...
3) Brooklyn buildings! They are so cool!
4) We taught Elders Ashby and Thelemaque how to make Chicken today.
They don't know how to cook so we thought we'd help them out.
5) Sister Hodgson and I in the hospital... I told you it wasn't that bad :)
Another wonderful and miraculous week here in Midwood.
Monday was a lot of fun. This ward does a ward FHE that is always fun
and exciting! This past week one of the Soleta girls was in charge and
we did a charades Book of Mormon style. It was really fun because we
had a recent convert and two investigators there who are in the
process of reading the Book of Mormon. They all said that they are
excited to get to the different stories in the Book of Mormon that we
acted out. It was fun and a good way to encourage them to keep reading
;)
Tuesday started out as most Tuesdays do. Exercise, get ready,
breakfast and studies. During our companionship study however we
received a call from some missionaries telling us that we were
supposed to be t transfer meet starting 2 hours. We rushed to finish
daily preparations, grabbed the Creole Elders and made our way through
the pouring rain to Queens (an hour and a half train ride). We made it
just as they were singing the opening hymn, Called To Serve).
This meeting was historic because the Sunday before a new stake was
organized in our mission boundaries. This means that there are now 4
stakes in our mission and president Calderwood doesn't have to preside
over a district! Because this happened two new zones were added to our
mission and we are spreading abroad the good news! We also, for the
first time ever have two new ASL sisters!! We are so grateful to
that've them with is here! Also two of the existing Chinese elders
were asked to serve Korean speaking. The Lord is hastening His work
here. He is laboring with us. "This is our hour" - President
Calderwood referring to D&C 88:51-64
There were so many other things that were amazing in that meeting but
I'll move on.
Wednesday was service in Prospect Park. We woke up to snow and were
nervous that we would be super cold so we bundled up and went. It
actually turned out to be pretty nice. We were still in need of our
coats but the work kept sis warm and the conversation kept our
thoughts off of the cold. I love Wednesday service.
Later that evening we met with an amazing 22 year old widow. She lost
her husband about a year ago to a car accident and is struggling to
keep her mind off of her sorrow. She goes to school full time to be a
nurse and helps her mom around the house. She is doing quite well in
school and is thinking about coming back to church. It was amazing to
b able to testify to her that this is where true happiness is found.
We love her so much and are so excited to be able to meet with her
again.
Thursday was the usual planning day which usually means miracles. We
have such a great time planning for the week and getting the
opportunity to think about how the gospel principles can and do apply
to all the people that we are meeting with. Dispute the differences in
situations and challenges, every problem is fixed by the Atonement of
Jesus Christ. Oh I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!
Friday we had a Zone Training Meeting. We have a new zone leader who
is filled with missionary fire. Both of our Zone leaders are great
guys with a love for the gospel. Our Meeting was about repentance,
shutting out the noise, and focusing on the needs of our companions.
It was a really good meeting. I love Zone Two!!
Saturday we had 4 scheduled appointments and only one of them worked
out. It was good though because the lady we met with is an amazing
lady who is struggling to over come a coffee addiction. She comes to
church every Sunday and loves the activities and programs of the
church we are just helping her to gain a testimony of the Restoration.
As I was thinking about her I, in my pride, thought, "it should be so
easy. If you have a testimony of the restoration and the Atonement it
should be easy to overcome any addiction." I became frustrated within
myself and then quickly humbled. I myself have many little addictions
that I am trying to overcome. Things that are "not terrible" but do
present stumbling blocks on my road to progression. I know that I have
a testimony of the restoration and a deep love for the Atonement and I
am still not perfect. Patience in trials and addictions is something
that I am again learning the value of. How grateful I am for our
Saviors perfect love for us, and for those that we are working with.
Even more, how grateful I am that he allows us to feel if that love
for others.
Easter Sunday beamed bright and beautiful! The sunshine felt good as
we walked to church and were greeted by people from all walks of life
and every different religion with a "Happy Easter!" I love the people
of New York! They are truly amazing! They have a bad reputation but I
truly don't understand why. They are good people trying to do their
best which what they know. Isn't that just what we are trying to do?
Do the best with what we know? How I love the Gospel and the guidance
it gives us in our lives. I pray that none of us stray from what we
know. We can be so blessed if we just follow the guidance given by the
prophets, who get it from Jesus Christ.
We spent the rest of the day making visits to those who have wandered.
I love each if them so much! They have great challenges and deep
hardships. The hardest part is trying to convince them that their
lives would be so much better if they came to church and partook if
the sacrament each week. Renewing those covenants is so so important
and necessary. Mosiah 18
Easter Miracle? A less-Active Part Member family came to church. How,
you may ask, will this change my life forever? I am not sure. We have
an appointment with them on Friday... They don't usually come to
church because our service cues are too boring for the non members.
But they came yesterday and were treated warmly by the ward! You know
what that is what changed my life. A warm welcome from the ward. That
really makes all the difference to those who are trying to come back
or who are investigating. Honestly. It does. Let's just all be friends
ok?
Ok friends I need to go but I love you all so much!
Mom- you are amazing. Thank you for showing me what a covenant keeper
looks like.
Dad- thanks for always looking out for me :)
Raddon- thank you for your good example to your friends at school.
Keep doing the hard things, they are the ones that are the most
meaningful.
Riann!!! Feel better my friend!! I love you so much!! Are reading
Preach My Gospel?
Hermana Hamblin- you are beautiful! I hope you love your area... Did I
tell you that is only two homers from where my companion is from? She
is from Rocklin... Have you heard of it?
Elder Hamblin- keep up the great work my friend! It all goes way to fast!
Sister Hamblin :)
