Week 47

Well, first of all, in two days I will have been on my mission for a year. So words don't even begin to describe what I am feeling. It's a nice mix of sadness at it going so quickly and gratitude that I get to even be here. Throw in a subtle flavor of "I get to go home in 6 months yay" and you have a very emotional missionary. 

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;

But with joy wend your way.

Though hard to you this journey may appear,

Grace shall be as your day.

'Tis better far for us to strive

Our useless cares from us to drive;

Do this, and joy your hearts will swell--

All is well! All is well!

The lyrics of the hymn above have come to mean so much to me on my mission. This hymn in general is on of my favorites now, but this verse in particular holds so much meaning. I am realizing how much I love the example of my scripture heroes. One of my favorites is Shiblon, from Alma 38 (?), who strived to share the gospel, and did so quietly. He is not known as a great prophet and for baptizing nations, but he is a diligent servant of the Lord, and will be rewarded accordingly. 

This weekend was a lot of fun. There is a member in the New Orleans 1st ward who is a commissioner for the Martin Luther King Memorial board thingy and so this last year and this year the missionaries have been involved with the celebration. It lasts the whole weekend. Saturday we were at the luncheon all afternoon with pastors, reverends, etc, all of different faiths, and many members as well,  united in remembering MLK as a great civil rights leader. Sunday, our whole zone and the spanish zone sang in a choir at a celebration/service at a baptist church. Then yesterday, in lieu of p-day, we marched in a parade in downtown New Orleans, alll across the city. We sang hymns and handed out cards, Books of Mormon, and DVDs. It was fun and very high energy. The whole weekend was. We are now extremely exhausted, but full of good feelings. It's nice. 

I also got to meet an elderly member of the branch, who lives with her sister, also an active member, and they were telling us all about their experiences during Katrina. They were right in the thick of things. Sister Roberts told us that at one point, when she was at the airport, preparing to leave NoLA, her purse was stolen and so she was forced to stay in a shelter, etc. She finally made it to her sister's house, and two years later, she got her purse in the mail. It was found among the remains of Katrina, and the only thing missing was the cash in her wallet. Everything was left intact, even the $160 in an envelope in her purse. My heart was pounding the entire story. The folks down here have been through a lot. Quite frankly, they have been to hell and back. 

We also started working with an inactive couple this week. They are so awesome! They feed us and we are starting to teach their 8 year old daughter. The Geraci's are amazing, and they are becoming family. We bonded over a mutual love for classic rock (and the gospel, of course). 

Anyway, Mardi Gras is coming up and things are going great. We have to tract a lot, but all is well, all is well. We see miracles everyday. I am so grateful to be here. It's humbling, it's helping me grow, and the next six and a half months will be the best yet. 

All my love,

Sister Ellen Frederickson

2000 Despaux Drive

Apt. C

Chalmette, LA 70043