This week we mostly cleaned. I understand why I was sent State side on a mission now more that I ever have understood before. I truly loathe living in uncleanliness and clutter. I must be my mother's daughter. :)
I feel so much better when I can just throw stuff away and everything is clean, and it has a place, and then I know exactly where I need to look if bugs get in the house. And I can get them out.That's the moral of that story.
We've been killing cockroaches, wasps, and spiders, (and some weird bug that looked like a land shrimp) every day this week. The member that owns our house set off bug-bombs, and so that was great, but there are still some untouched places, as well as I think that as soon as the bombs went off the little critters tried to run for it, and they all died on our kitchen floor.... Many times. So the good news is that they are not LIVING in our house, and the bad news is that they are still IN our house, and we continue to live an adventurous life.
We've begun to see miracles though. Sister Petrie and I are becoming a very unified team. I feel so honored to serve with missionaries that are still "fresh". They have so much energy and excitement. It gives me strength to try something new, and inspires me to continuously be bold.
We went to the beach for the first time since I've been here-- we had to get out of the house for the remainder of our weekly planning.... and it was Sister Petrie's suggestion. As we were ready to leave we ended up talking with an amazing person about our purpose, and the Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel. It was a testimony to me that we are all impressed upon by the Spirit in small ways each day. We knew that was why we Sister Petrie thought to go to the beach. We are guided in such small ways each day, but those small ways are incredible significant to the course of our eternal destinies.
That was just on of the many small, and simple things that gave me a reassurance this week that no matter where you are sent-- if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, and relying on the enabling power of Christ you will be used for a great amount of good. :)
It was wonderful to talk with all my family too! Happy Mother's Day!
It never seems like enough time, but I don't think that it ever would be--- even if we didn't have a time limit. My heart with always ache to be with my family when I am away from them. I just know that I don't have to be distracted or dwell on it. Plus, the time limit just makes the time we have more meaningful. I was thinking about it this morning, and the time we have to talk with our families is just the same as the time we are supposed to keep our lessons. 40 minutes (45 for lessons). I have to continue to ponder that, but I think there is great significance there. I know the times that lessons have gone over 45 minutes for me I start to zone out and feel anxious. The time is not as meaningful anymore. We have 45 minutes to teach with great power, and after that its' REALLY hard to maintain focus, and direction.
That's probably not that important to any of you. But I'm going to try to talk about my missionary life more instead of just assuming that you all know what is going on. Sometimes I forget that this isn't the same way everyone else in the world is living, and I forget to share details, and important things I'm learning.
Just FYI: I do really well with a list of questions. So if you have any burning questions of the soul to ask, you can email those to me, and I'll just send a response of Q&A/FAQ. The blog probably needs that segment too. ;)
Sister Petrie said that I was a fountain of knowledge yesterday. It was awesome.
Sometimes I'm a know-it-all, and I think that's okay. I use it for the benefit and well-being of all man kind.
Kay, Peace out till next Monday.
Also, isn't it funny that missionaries favorite day is Sunday and Monday? That's so different than high school life when Mondays were dreaded. :) Things change so quickly. Life is weird. The end.
Love,
Sister Amber Garvin
P.S. I would like to put in a little plug about this substantial letter. Go me! (you can send me a gold star and an ice cream cone in the mail. Thanks.)
