Y'all! I love you. And I miss you.
This week was a crazy adventure (it always is, so I don't know why I bother starting my emails this way :) First of all, big things are happening here in Nashville right now! The Voice is holding auditions, so people from all over are coming down here to audition. My companion and I were joking around about maybe auditioning (obviously we couldn't) but how funny would that be if we called President and told him that we had made it onto a TV show? It could be a great way to share the gospel :)
Saturday was super warm, so we were riding the bus around meeting all kinds of people. We met this SUPER awesome boy from Chicago who had just auditioned. It was apparent that he came from humble circumstances. He was planning to ride the bus home all night to get back home and head back to work the next day. He told us he didn't make it, so we were sad for him, and we were not expecting the voice that came out when we had him sing for us! He sang his song he auditioned with and the whole bus applauded afterwards! HE WAS SO GOOD! (and I'm a harsh critic) It broke my heart that his dreams didn't come true, because he deserved it! He said he wasn't going to give up, and that he was going to try again next year. I had the opportunity to share the gospel with him and wish him luck!
This got me thinking about how unfair things are. After that experience, I was so touched by his dedication and sincere desire to do what he loves. I wanted him to succeed so badly! Why can't everyone have their dreams come true?
This thought brought me back to the gospel (how it always does as a missionary) and reminded me that no matter who you are, what talents you've been given, and what experiences, opportunities, and trials you have, your life has been taylor-made to fit YOU.
God, is our Loving Heavenly Father (I'm getting emotional just typing this, because so many people need to know this! We don't understand how important this knowlege is!). I know that he cares so much for each of us, and would never deny us any happiness. He gives us everything that we need in life to grow. That young man I met wasn't being jipped of anything- He has another purpose in life, and he has just as much of a chance to be happy in this life as Taylor Swift does. He is worth just as much too! It doesn't matter who you are or where life has brought you. You are important. You are not only worth something, you are worth everything to Him, and you can become something great in His eyes. And believe it or not, that is so much more satisfying than living any "dream" can be.
I had always pictured serving a mission somewhere crazy, where I had to struggle to speak the language, where I had to eat weird things, where I was the only white person for miles, where I was shocked by the poverty, and where people were humble. I was culture-shocked by the lack of culture shock when I came to my own mission. Literally, it's like serving in my own home town. It's crazy how difficult the adjustment was, because I hadn't pictured that my mission would be anything like this! But I learned this lesson: I am where I am supposed to be for a reason. It may not be what I had dreamed of, but it is what I need.
I feel like this lesson can apply to so many aspects of life. A lot of times we ask the questions "Why?" or "How?" or "When?" or "What the?!?!" I feel that way a lot as a missionary, when you don't know what is going on or why. Or you don't know which choice to make. And guess what? It's all ok. It all works out, and in the end, we look back and realize how much God was guiding us and directing our path.
So, if this week you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious. I want to let you know that I feel the same way! And that it's ok. And that it willl all work out. And that what ever is happening in your life at this time, is what is supposed to be happening. I don't know all the answers, but I do know that we can find them once we ask.
Anyway, things are great here! Because the weather was nice, we were able to meet a lot of people out on the streets and we have a few new investigators we are excited about! Miss English came to church and loved it! Please pray for my companion and I, and that we will be able to continue to find new people to teach!
I'm so happy here and grateful for the opportunity I have to serve in the best city on earth. The people here are awesome, my companion is my best friend and a great example to me, and I just LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!
I love all of you so much! I want to thank you for your continued support and prayers. It means a lot! Sorry for the long email :) If you didn't make it to this point, I don't blame you.
Have a great week!
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