09 Feb 2014--Chiang Mai

So lately I've had quite a few "aha" moments. We had switch offs and I was with Sister Reidi! She's so awesome and intense (in a good way!) We were traveling in the red truck and I was really taking in my surroundings. I've passed by these buildings millions of times, but at the moments I was really beginning to notice the small details and the tops of buildings. I've been so focused on finding others that I forgot to Look Up. There's a talk about it, which is really good. However, what I realized is that sometimes we get so caught up in the world, that we forget to look up, and include God in our lives. We're so focused on things, that we forget to really rely upon the Lord. Sister Reidi and I talked about it, and she mentioned how it's cool that on missions, we're forced to look up. We have to depend on the Lord always. Otherwise, we won't be able to teach. There was a time where I had to get on my knees and pray, because I had to teach a lesson on a companion exchange since we had appointments at the same time. So I basically had to teach a lesson by myself, with a member present to help me along with the investigator. I felt so unprepared. However, I prayed and I felt that even though I felt unprepared, that God would prepare a way some how to help my investigator understand the lesson that I was going to teach. However, as it turns out, the investigator didn't show up on time, and so I just talked with Sister Baam for a while. It was good. I realized that I really do have to reach out to God and put forth my whole faith and trust in Him.

I was reading in Alma, and how Alma and Amulek were delivered from prison. I looked down to the footnotes, and it linked to a scripture that I really enjoyed. It's James 5:10-11. It reminded me of what blessings are promised to us when we endure to the end, and include God in our lives. We just need to be patient.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

 11 Behold, we count them happy which bendure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender emercy.

I've also been finding that serving others brings me great joy. With Sister Hughes and Sister Slaugh both being sick, I get the chance to show that I care for them. It makes me think more about others and what I can do to help them, rather than always thinking about myself. I really want to lose myself in serving others! That's my goal for my mission!