Week 54: Why I Am Here (July 15, 2019)
So I heard this children's story this week that I wanted to share with y'all (condensed version):
"The Tucker's farm was a quiet and well-working operation. Each morning the hens would lay their eggs, the cows would be milked, and the roosters would crow. The Tucker's would set out their stand on the edge of their farm, where they would sell eggs, milk, and cheese. 'How could it be any better?' They would all say. Until the day, when the peacock showed up.
The peacock would walk around, strut his feathers, and sqwak at the top of his lungs. The animals were confused! They'd sit around and complain, saying, 'Why would the Tucker's possibly want this noisy thing around? It couldn't be good for buisness.' But even then, it seemed that hundreds of people would stop to take pictures with the peacock. Car after car after car would stop. And they wouldn't leave without buying some produce either! The animals, especially the hens, were livid.
'That lazy peacock shouldn't be getting all of the attention! We do all the work around here.' They said it so loud that the peacock could hear. The peacock felt lazy, and wanted to be helpful. The old barn dog suggested they switch for the day! The peacock would lay the eggs, and the hens would get people's attention at the road. But to no luck, the peacock could lay no eggs, and the hens could not get anyone to stop.
The Tuckers came out during this crazy switch on the farm, and said, 'Why are those hens by the road? And the peacock in the hen house! We will probably not have anyone stop by the farm today, without that peacock in its place...' The peacocks head perked up and it excalimed, 'I do have a job!' And it ran back to the road where it belonged."
I will come back to why I shared that story with you... But for now, let me tell you about the week!
We went to Chester, MT this week for exchanges! It is the smallest town of about 800 people... We saw lots of miracles in that little town. After a few days on the border, bouncing from there to Great Falls, we got back home to Helena. We were jam packed with stuff to do, as we had to push it all into a few days. But I cannot express to you how special, and how sweet, the miracles were that came in those few days. And the reveleation, that God gave me. I hope I can convey the sacred nature of all that happened.
The day after we got back, we were bringing the Elders to give a woman, Rosemary, a blessing. When we arrived, a man I did not recognize answered the door. He lied to us at first, and told us that she was not home. Then she walked around the corner, and it was awkward for all of us. She did want the blessing, and while that was happening, we were able to talk to the man who had opened the door, James. And he needed help. He has had a rough go about things, and I mean rough. We all had a long conversation with him, and he invited us to come meet with him. The timing, the Elders we brought, and the whole scenario was absolutely perfect. It was a miracle that we could meet someone, unexpectedly, right as God needed us to.
We had miracles like that, left and right over the next couple of days. Sunday was probably one of the most special Sunday's I have had here in Helena. We had church, where five people came and joined with us for the day. We had a lunch with some members, where our investigator Allie, came with us. The members, the Ashtons, invited Sister Knutsen over on a whim. I cannot express accurately how much the Lord's hand was in this. Allie opened up to those members in ways she never has to us. They counseled her in ways we just can't as missionaries. It was such a sweet visit, that brought tears to all of our eyes.
That same day, we had a lesson with Chris! Chris just got engaged to a member named Heidi. I love their family immensely. This lesson was filled with the Spirit so strongly; it lasted more than two hours, and that Spirit never left.
I have to tell you more about Chris.... Because the role that Chris played in my week is far more than just this incredible lesson. Being back in Helena, has honestly been super weird for me! These first couple weeks have made me question my purpose here. It has almost felt like I was kind of in a "place holder" position. So each week and each day, I pray and look for a purpose. I go out, knowing that the Lord's work is everywhere, and it is ok. Still fighting off discouraging feelings, I met Chris.
My first lesson with Chris, the whole room was in tears. This next lesson, also brought tears. During the lesson, I testified to Chris of my knowledge of the Savior. How He lives and loves us all, to the very end. And I cried, and told him that I came on a mission for him. That the Lord sent me to Helena, for him. And he just stared at me, with a gleam in his own eye, "It is cool, isn't it." I have had my rare moments with people on my mission like this. And this was one, that I can testify is evidence of God's love for all of His people.
We were told earlier that day by the members we ate lunch with, that Heidi had been at their home talking about us. She said, "The two missionaries that are here right now, are here for Chris. They were sent here for him." The Lord answered my prayers.
He answered my prayers on an exchange in Chester, a small town in the middle of nowhere. He answered my prayers when Tammy, who was baptized last week, walked into church and said, "Lets never go a week without seeing each other again!" He answered my prayers while sitting on a wooden chair in the middle of the mountains, talking and laughing with a family we had just met. And He sent me to Chris.
Never question that the Lord knows you. Never question that He hears you. Because He does. He sent me on a mission for a man who I needed far me than he needs me. God is so aware of you and your life.
This is why I am here. To testify of Christ, and for my eternal friends, like Chris.
God will never forget His people. You better never forget it either.
I shared that story at the beginning because the peacock, like many of us, felt like he had no purpose and did not belong. And the hens (the world), made him think that.
I know this doesn't express adequately how I feel, or how sacred it was. All I can muster through my own tears and emotions, is to tell you that God is real. That He has sent you to earth for a specific purpose and a specific assignment. You belong here. And you belong wherever He sends you, even if you sometimes don't want it.
You are not an accident, and your life matters. Just as much as Chris's does, a man living in Helena, Montana. God truly, will gather all of His people.
He loves you.
Sister Walstad
"The Tucker's farm was a quiet and well-working operation. Each morning the hens would lay their eggs, the cows would be milked, and the roosters would crow. The Tucker's would set out their stand on the edge of their farm, where they would sell eggs, milk, and cheese. 'How could it be any better?' They would all say. Until the day, when the peacock showed up.
The peacock would walk around, strut his feathers, and sqwak at the top of his lungs. The animals were confused! They'd sit around and complain, saying, 'Why would the Tucker's possibly want this noisy thing around? It couldn't be good for buisness.' But even then, it seemed that hundreds of people would stop to take pictures with the peacock. Car after car after car would stop. And they wouldn't leave without buying some produce either! The animals, especially the hens, were livid.
'That lazy peacock shouldn't be getting all of the attention! We do all the work around here.' They said it so loud that the peacock could hear. The peacock felt lazy, and wanted to be helpful. The old barn dog suggested they switch for the day! The peacock would lay the eggs, and the hens would get people's attention at the road. But to no luck, the peacock could lay no eggs, and the hens could not get anyone to stop.
The Tuckers came out during this crazy switch on the farm, and said, 'Why are those hens by the road? And the peacock in the hen house! We will probably not have anyone stop by the farm today, without that peacock in its place...' The peacocks head perked up and it excalimed, 'I do have a job!' And it ran back to the road where it belonged."
I will come back to why I shared that story with you... But for now, let me tell you about the week!
We went to Chester, MT this week for exchanges! It is the smallest town of about 800 people... We saw lots of miracles in that little town. After a few days on the border, bouncing from there to Great Falls, we got back home to Helena. We were jam packed with stuff to do, as we had to push it all into a few days. But I cannot express to you how special, and how sweet, the miracles were that came in those few days. And the reveleation, that God gave me. I hope I can convey the sacred nature of all that happened.
The day after we got back, we were bringing the Elders to give a woman, Rosemary, a blessing. When we arrived, a man I did not recognize answered the door. He lied to us at first, and told us that she was not home. Then she walked around the corner, and it was awkward for all of us. She did want the blessing, and while that was happening, we were able to talk to the man who had opened the door, James. And he needed help. He has had a rough go about things, and I mean rough. We all had a long conversation with him, and he invited us to come meet with him. The timing, the Elders we brought, and the whole scenario was absolutely perfect. It was a miracle that we could meet someone, unexpectedly, right as God needed us to.
We had miracles like that, left and right over the next couple of days. Sunday was probably one of the most special Sunday's I have had here in Helena. We had church, where five people came and joined with us for the day. We had a lunch with some members, where our investigator Allie, came with us. The members, the Ashtons, invited Sister Knutsen over on a whim. I cannot express accurately how much the Lord's hand was in this. Allie opened up to those members in ways she never has to us. They counseled her in ways we just can't as missionaries. It was such a sweet visit, that brought tears to all of our eyes.
That same day, we had a lesson with Chris! Chris just got engaged to a member named Heidi. I love their family immensely. This lesson was filled with the Spirit so strongly; it lasted more than two hours, and that Spirit never left.
I have to tell you more about Chris.... Because the role that Chris played in my week is far more than just this incredible lesson. Being back in Helena, has honestly been super weird for me! These first couple weeks have made me question my purpose here. It has almost felt like I was kind of in a "place holder" position. So each week and each day, I pray and look for a purpose. I go out, knowing that the Lord's work is everywhere, and it is ok. Still fighting off discouraging feelings, I met Chris.
My first lesson with Chris, the whole room was in tears. This next lesson, also brought tears. During the lesson, I testified to Chris of my knowledge of the Savior. How He lives and loves us all, to the very end. And I cried, and told him that I came on a mission for him. That the Lord sent me to Helena, for him. And he just stared at me, with a gleam in his own eye, "It is cool, isn't it." I have had my rare moments with people on my mission like this. And this was one, that I can testify is evidence of God's love for all of His people.
We were told earlier that day by the members we ate lunch with, that Heidi had been at their home talking about us. She said, "The two missionaries that are here right now, are here for Chris. They were sent here for him." The Lord answered my prayers.
He answered my prayers on an exchange in Chester, a small town in the middle of nowhere. He answered my prayers when Tammy, who was baptized last week, walked into church and said, "Lets never go a week without seeing each other again!" He answered my prayers while sitting on a wooden chair in the middle of the mountains, talking and laughing with a family we had just met. And He sent me to Chris.
Never question that the Lord knows you. Never question that He hears you. Because He does. He sent me on a mission for a man who I needed far me than he needs me. God is so aware of you and your life.
This is why I am here. To testify of Christ, and for my eternal friends, like Chris.
God will never forget His people. You better never forget it either.
I shared that story at the beginning because the peacock, like many of us, felt like he had no purpose and did not belong. And the hens (the world), made him think that.
I know this doesn't express adequately how I feel, or how sacred it was. All I can muster through my own tears and emotions, is to tell you that God is real. That He has sent you to earth for a specific purpose and a specific assignment. You belong here. And you belong wherever He sends you, even if you sometimes don't want it.
You are not an accident, and your life matters. Just as much as Chris's does, a man living in Helena, Montana. God truly, will gather all of His people.
He loves you.
Sister Walstad
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