Week 40: Milestone (April 8, 2019)

Hello friends! Another busy week in the great ole MT. I hit my 9 months this week, and it was surreal. I don't know how a mission feels for the rest of y'all, but for me it is almost like someone lost the remote in the couch cushions and the fast forward button is being pushed every time someone sits down. Time is short and fleeting, and oh so sweet.

We had transfers this week, and I am staying with my best buds here in Billings. We had days packed full of lessons and training, and it all feels like a blur. But packed between were the beautiful moments I am blessed to experience. Every. Single. Day. 

Have I told you about Dave and Eva? Probably. But just as a refresher, Eva is from the Czech Republic, and speaks very little English. We have Elders serving in Czech, who Skype in and teach her. Dave, her husband, speaks only English and meets with us. He is one of the most prepared people I have ever had the privilege of teaching. He will testify of truths, and listen so intently. I have never seen someone want to learn the truth the way he does. He said in his closing prayer, "Thank you so much for sending us these wonderful sisters.... It is my wish that you put upon them as many blessings as you can." It brings you to tears, ya know? Never could I thank the Lord enough to be privileged enough to be able to work with someone like Dave and Eva. And every week brings similar tender mercies. Similar, immense joys. 

We also had General Conference this last weekend! What an incredible way to feel of immediate peace in a never ending world of words and pain. It helps to remind us all of the beautiful light that can be found, wherever we may be, in whatever circumstance. One of my favorite lines was in a talk given by Elder Kyle S. McKay: "Jesus can reach out and catch our sinking souls."  This quote had me reflecting on the half of my mission that I have lived and what I have used this precious time for. And because it is my half way milestone, I wanted to testify of how they made me reflect. 

The beginning of my mission was hard. In fact, harder than I can admit to. I was drowning. Drowning in my own self-deprecation, in my own pity, drowning in expectations that were not real. Looking back, I can say that Christ really did, reach out and rescue, my sinking soul. It was slow, but He pulled me back to the top. He showed me miracles when I needed them most. He saved me and He kept me here. I could not imagine not being in a position to help so many people. 

As Dale G. Renlund said, I was able to push on, continue to pray, relying upon and trusting in the promises God had granted unto me. Why He did it, I can say that He granted unto me mercy where justice required that I did it all by myself. He took and gave far more, and continues to give, far more than I can ever give in return. And He will continue to do the same for you. "Blessing are neither earned nor given by chance. We do not earn blessings, but we do need to qualify for them." 

Jesus Christ lives. He is my best friend. And He loves you. He will reach out and save you. I guarantee it. I am a firsthand witness of His love and His mercy, and that He is your brother. Your friend. Your Redeemer. Please, know He is with you. Look to Him now. And remember, "Take the covenant path, do the spiritual work now, time is running out." -Russel M. Nelson

Sister Walstad

Attached is a picture after we took my hair out of corn rows, it lasted for days.