Do you ever have moments when you feel like you are going to burst? Like there is so much joy, peace and gratitude inside of you, only a grand exclamation of happiness can satisfy the feeling?
Well, this last week has been a series of those moments. After a much needed attitude adjustment in order to have a strong transfer in Amite, I am both elated and exhausted. This week has easily been one of the best of my mission so far.
Miss Melanie, a Scottish lady who has served a mission and came to America many years ago, has been inactive for several years. Missionaries have made efforts in the past with her and her husband but nothing has ever come of it. We have tried contacting her the last several weeks, but our calls were always in the morning, while she was at work. Her husband always asked us to try back later and we usually forgot (shame on us), even after writing it down. Last Thursday, we randomly thought we needed to call her around 6pm and she picked up and before we could say much she invited us over on Saturday at 6pm, which seemed a little out of character for her. When we came over on Saturday she informed us that her husband had nearly died the week before, he was now home from the hospital recuperating and the moment we had called had been about two minutes after she had ended one of her many fasts and prayers that week. She explained that she had been at a point where she felt like giving up and was desperately seeking help from God. At that moment we called. She explained that she and her husband now felt truly committed to their desire to return to church and it was amazing to see her light up and she explained that it felt right to have the two of us there with her. She said she felt like it was her time.
We have been talking about patience and the Lord's timing this week quite a lot, and let me tell you: God's plan for us far surpasses our plans for ourselves and for others. The reality is that people need to decide to take action and change their lives on their own. We are servants and representatives of Christ who only aid in people's desire to change.
A really nice lady who has a non-member husband invited us over to teach us how to make homemade southern chicken dumplings this week. Alright y'all. I just...there are no words. None. It is as if I could never eat anything so tasty again. And now I know how to make it. You have not lived until you have had homemade chicken dumplings. That is all. It was definitely another highlight of the week.
Lately, in order to save on miles so we can see folks in our very spread out area, we have been biking when we stay in Amite and I love it. We have biked twice now and luckily the weather has been kind to us. It hasn't been too unbearably hot and it hasn't rained in over a week (hallelujah). I thought I liked rain. Maybe just not in Louisiana.
Ok, I love y'all so much and appreciate the support and prayers. Have a fabulous week!
-Sister Ellen Frederickson
No comments:
Post a Comment