Week 31: Tender Moments (February 4, 2019)

There are moments in life that teach you how to laugh in the face of embarrassment and difficulty. And sometimes there are days and weeks that teach you that too. This week was full of laughter, that is for sure!

We had a week full of moments that made us cry, made us grateful, and moments that made us wonder how dull life would be without the experiences we have on missions. But all wrapped in one giant bundle, it was a good week full of memories. 

We met so many amazing people this week. People who we have been trying to set things up with for quite some time. We had dinner with the Rodriguez family, a part-member family who we have not had much contact with. This experience really strengthened our testimonies of how the Lord knows who needs to be in what area at what time. Both Sister Lee and I connected with this family in different ways. Whether it was from our different activities we have been a part of, or just even interest, we connected. To the point that this family invited us over for a game night and another dinner this week! Exciting stuff. 

I later, on exchanges, met a family I have felt impressed to try repeatedly over the last few months. With the timing of everything that day, we just happened to be at their door right as they were arriving home. How incredible the Lord and His timing are. 

Missions come with all kinds of moments. The bad, the good, the ugly, the fun, the tender, and all adjectives we could possibly come up with. But I think some of the most tender moments came in this last week. I tracted into a woman who had formally met with missionaries. We talked for quite a long time, but she ultimately was not interested in learning more about the gospel. After some sweet sentiments exchanged between us, we asked if we could pray together. She pulled her frail body out of her chair, walked around a coffee table and around the room, just so she could stand and hold our hands as we prayed together. I cannot express just HOW important and sweet that particular moment was to me. That woman is loved by our Savior, and by me. 

Today, Sabrina and Terry came to church! Remember them? Sabrina and Terry both have different mental disabilities of varying severity. Terry has been inactive for years, and Sabrina is his wife who is not a member. We started teaching them a few weeks ago! Teaching Sabrina has taught us all so much about how to teach in a different style so that someone can understand. It has brought us closer to the Savior as we strive to teach as He would. Terry, on his first Sunday in church, bore his testimony in sacrament meeting on the Book of Mormon and how true the church is. It made us all grin from ear to ear, and the miracle of the Lords timing is JUST SO GOOD. 

We went and visited a woman named Lexi. She has disabilities that prevent her body from functioning properly, and she lives in an assisted living apartment complex. She loves our visits so much, that she stopped watching the Superbowl to visit with us! She wanted to sing for us, and preceded to sing valentines love songs while we held up flashlights and swayed back and forth. We then all sang a rendition of "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. It was a sweet and good moment spent with someone who just wants friends. 

These are the type of moments that make up the memories you carry with you into the eternities. What a beautiful thing that I get to be a part of, every single day. 

I encourage you to turn every "negative" moment into a positive one. Slip and fall, and laugh afterwards. It is a better way to live. 

I love you all!

P.s. I played dodgeball with young men in a dress this week. Anything can be done. 

Sister Walstad