Climb to Glory

Wow-za!!  This week has gone by so slow and yet so fast.  It has been jam packed with lots of little activities.  It wasn't the most productive week when it comes to teaching, but we did do a lot of service and working with members, so yayy!  Work with what you got!  :)

My Military Pass :)

So, at the start of the week we went back on Post (Ft. Drum) and we knew that it would be our main day to proselyte for the week.  So wanted to try to see everyone.   But, life happens while you are making other plans... and the Lord had 'other plans' that day for us.  We stumbled upon some very sad circumstances for one of the recent converts here.  She is only in her teens and has a very hard family situation.  She also hasn't been coming to church.  Typically, when we see her, we would read scriptures with her.. (which is slightly a pet peeve of mine.  I do much better as a missionary teaching doctrine and making things more interactive.  However, most people in New York struggle with their ability to read.. yup high illiteracy rates here.)  Her Mom slipped the hint that she has been suffering from depression and it has lead to self-harming.  We had a really powerful lesson with her about prayer and how when things get tough, we can't leave the safety of the 'tornado shelter and run into the storm/tornado' just because we are mad at God.  It does way too much harm to do that.  Overall, we had a good discussion and now we know how to help her.

Later, we visited some members homes.  By the way, mission rules do not allow us to hold any child under 6 years of age.  :(  I really struggle with that, I love little kids!  I interact with these families with the cutest kids and my internal mothering instinct has been screaming to play and hold these kids--but I can't.  I have quickly made a few primary age friends in the ward and we draw pictures during Sacrament Meeting when our investigators don't show up.  It is so fun to watch the parents resolve conflicts and teach them.  I've been taking mental notes on what does/doesn't work with kids.  Maybe it is because I am going to be turning 20 soon and the hope is to have a family within the next 6 years... so that's been really interesting.

But anyway... back to members.  This week I had this strong impression that we needed to visit one certain member.  She is in a position of leadership.  But something just seemed off.  Another member gave us the referral to go see her too.  When we got there, everything seemed to be fine.  And then... she just broke down.  Like literally broke down in tears.  If we hadn't visited her that day, she may have quickly went down the path of inactivity or done something tragic that she would regret later.  In many ways, I couldn't relate to what she was feeling, but I could testify that the gospel was the answer.  I then had the impression to take her two kids who were in the room and go play with them.  That was definitely needed to help the situation.  She couldn't fully open up to my companion and get guidance and help until I left with her kids.  So while my companion was providing a shoulder to cry on, the kids and I made "I love Mommy" letters and made lunch.  The feeling... of having an impression, following it, and knowing that you did what Jesus Christ himself would do in that instance is the most powerful feeling in the world.  It energizes you from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.

My companion and I were in better spirits this week and yeah, we may not have a huge pool of investigators, but we have many members who struggle and they matter just as much too!  :)  Work where you are needed!!

Wednesday was even crazier this week.  We drove down to Utica (which was so weird) and we had a zone training meeting on working with members.  Which is quite funny for us.. because as of right now... we have a brand new Bishop in his 30's, new counselors, no mission leader and the auxiliary leaders are either deployed or leave at the end of August.. well all except for the Young Women's leader.  So we just laughed and dreamed of a day when we can have a full Ward Council :)

Krysten's Baptism

We then drove back for the baptism of Krysten!! Yayy.  Her family is funny.  Typical military family with three kids.  They've been less active and the Elders sorta found them 2 months ago.  Krysten is 10 yrs old.  They have been slowly taught and before I got to Carthage, they were very lukewarm towards the Church.  But, apparently, the change just astounds my companion.  They went from almost no activity before to now  they now want to get sealed in the temple and pay tithing.  They also had us over for dinner.  They are super sad that they have to move to Texas for a month and one of us may be transferred next rotation.  Her baptism though was so fun!!

The Ivy Family 

Thursday we started with moving a super funny couple in the Ward. We moved a total of two families this week for a total of 10 hours of service.  Most of our appointments cancelled, so apparently that must have been what the Lord wanted us to focus on.  I am grateful for the years of moving with my family... (even though I hated it then), because #1) I am very flexible and I can form a relationship very fast with new people.  (That is probably why I don't stay in an area for very long, unlike some missionaries) and #2) I know how to pack and load a moving truck.  Thank goodness for Tetris.. it has helped too.  I spent most of the time rearranging cabinets and chairs and mattresses to maximize all of the square footage in the truck.  It  was actually kind of fun!

We also have the greatest elders serving with us right now in the whole mission.  They made it fun to work with them.  :)  Apparently, I will be getting my biceps back if I have to move a family at least once a week.  It will make up for not working out as much.

Moving families in Carthage

Friday was a carfast...and since we didn't live in our area, we decided to focus on administrative tasks.  Study up for our exchanges, make mini area books for the car and study for training's.

We also taught Young Women's this week.  It went awesome!!  We also have to train for District Meeting on the Plan of Salvation. So we have been busy and also having fun.

Hmmm... what else happened this week??  Oh and Bev, the Filipino Medic, came to Church again.  She loved the meetings and came with us for Young Women's.  She loved it!!  She said yes to an official lesson this week.  YES!!  Success!!  She also fractured her finger unexpectedly, so she won't be deployed now.  HA HA, God does work in mysterious way!! :)

The Church is true!!  This week is a trip to Watertown!! I am so excited!  Woop Woop!

Love ya!
Sister Kylie Williams