Week 29: Up The Hill (January 21, 2019)

January 21, 2019

Week 29: Up The Hill (January 21, 2019)

The Lord is real, He lives, and He works miracles in my (and your) life every single day; every single hour, minute, second, and moment. That sums up this week. It was incredible and I am grateful for a Savior who loves me.

WHAT A WEEK! Miracles left and right. I don't think I can squeeze into this email just how amazing it all was, but I will do my best to give you a small taste. Let's start at last Monday evening! We knocked on two doors the whole night, and both turned into a lesson and a return appointment. Back to back. Already a great way to start the week.

Come Tuesday morning, the Billings temple reopened. We have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to clean the temple twice over the last two weeks. We got called in Monday morning on an emergency call, as they weren't sure the temple would be ready to open by Tuesday. Ever seen eleven missionaries all in white jumpsuits eating Domino's Pizza with the temple president in the staff kitchen? I have. We got to clean the temple, eat pizza, and attend a session Tuesday morning at six am. WHAT A LIFE!

We had appointments all week long. Teaching the gospel is one of the BEST parts of missionary work. We had an experience that really strengthened my testimony even further of the power of the Holy Ghost in our teaching. We went to teach a girl named Amber! We have been meeting with her for a few weeks now. She told us she had invited a friend to our bible study, which of course we were thrilled about! Well, her friend arrived with a BINDER full of questions for us. This lesson was about an hour and a half long. And all we did, was answer questions. But let me tell you why it was so amazing: we were never stumped. Never once did my companion or I not have an answer. And never once could we not build off of one another to teach a principle. But want to hear what was even more amazing? The girl who was trying to find a flaw, couldn't. She could feel the Spirit testify to her of what we said, and it made her quiet. Still. And she listened. She never argued, or even did she ever comment. She listened. Then asked for our phone number.

The spirit can touch any heart that lowers itself enough, to it's humble doors, and has courage enough to let it in. The spirit is the true teacher, and we just facilitate a good learning environment. How incredible, to witness it effect and touch so many lives.

On top of all of the busyness, I was privileged to go on an exchange with Sister Ahlstrom (we came out together)! We drove across to Big Timber to meet for our exchange. That day turned into a crazier one, as I ended up needing to take another sister for an emergency exchange as well. Two exchanges in one, and we had a blast. We got to help others feel of the Saviors love, cried with others, and laughed a lot. We also fell on the ice down a hill. All in all a good day with even better people. I am absolutely honored and humbled at the opportunity I have to minister to other sisters in the way I get to. I get to feel a part of the atonement, as I get to help lift their burdens. I am beyond grateful.

This week was amazing. But I want you all to know, that every week, is amazing. Of course some weeks events make it sound like a much crummier week than others. But never ever have I not felt of my Saviors love, and never ever have I not seen miracles. It may not look incredible while you are climbing the hill, but as soon as you get to the top, and see how far you have come, you cannot NOT smile. It all becomes awesome, because through that experience the Lord changed YOU. The hill may be long and high, but I promise there are some incredible views along the way.

"What if the very circumstances you are asking God to change, are the very circumstances God is using to change you?"

I love you all. Find a speck of beauty in an aspect of your week that you may find difficult. The more you polish, the more it will shine! May God be with you.

Sister Walstad