Week 36

First of all, can you believe I've been on my mission for over 8 months? It's crazy. I don't actually know how I feel about that. These 8 months have gone by very quickly. I'm an accepted part of Church Publishing Services, and yet I still feel like I'm just beginning to learn my job. Can I really have been on my mission for this long?

This week I learned something pretty amazing, but also a little anxiety inducing. I have a friend, another Sister Missionary, who is going into surgery next week. This friend was born without her lower jaw, but surgeons now believe that they can create one for her. If it works, it will be a great improvement in her quality of life. This is super exciting. However, it will take several complicated surgeries, which must be scary, especially without the guarantee that they will work. Since it is Fast Sunday this weekend, I will be fasting for her and the surgeons. I would love it it you could join me in keeping this Sister in your prayers as well. I know those prayers make a difference.

I also had a testimony building experience this week. This Monday I was pretty anxious to get into work, since I was out most of the previous week. However, when I woke up I also felt uneasy about the weather even though the weather and road reports were positive. I prayed and felt like maybe I should stay home, but my anxiety always tells me I should stay home, so I wasn't positive. I got all ready to go, but my anxiety kept building stronger and stronger. It was unusual even for me. I decided to be brave and get in the car, but instead of the decision making me more comfortable it got worse. As I approached Main Street I had a very strong feeling that I needed to turn around and go home. It was so strong I didn't even feel silly turning back around. Less than an hour later (when I would have been in Parley's Canyon) the storm hit hard, leaving about a foot of heavy snow in only a short time. I felt so blessed that the Lord had protected me, and grateful that I was able to hear the Spirit warn me.

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I also wanted to share this quote with you. I found it while studying a talk by President Uchtdorf, and it really rang true to me. Remember, there is always hope. Sometimes it takes winter-like trials to reveal the depths of our strength. Sometimes it feels like we're stuck, with no way out, but we forget that we are children of a God, and with him, nothing is impossible.













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In other news, Ringo has rediscovered the compost pile. No wonder the furry creature stinks. He managed to dig a frozen cabbage core out and sneak it inside. Gross. He obviously felt betrayed when someone took the initiative to throw away his treasure. How could we be so callous? Now when he has his last potty break of the day, he climbs his throne of frozen compost and refuses to respond when we call him back in. It's a good thing he's so cute.

That's it for this week's report. I hope you are all well and happy and that the sun shines on you.

Love,

Sister Ward