The Crumb

What's up to my fav people!!! this week was good, imma just give some highlights like usual haha!

Monday: we started off with zone pday, let's go. We had 2 zones together, so like so many missionaries!! It was lit! We played 4 square and 9 square and I popped off of course.

Tuesday: we had service with our district that we do every week! But this week we just picked up trash haha!

Then we had dinner with a member who is kinda insane. here's a quick rundown:

She asked us if we had any plans later that night! All 4 of us are like "yeah we're pretty busy" she then says "well I hope you don't mind mud on your dresses" then lets her 4 huskies (that are literal wolves, I kid you not) run right after us. Luckily, me, Sister Waite and Sister Lancaster were sitting so we were kinda hidden. The dogs went straight for Sister Jones who was wearing white and got mud all over her. Then the member looks at us and goes "oh good, I'm glad none of you got mud on you!" as Sister Jones stands there looks at us and then looks down at her shirt and skirt covered in mud. We died. This was just the beginning of a dinner I will never forget hahaha.

I have been attacked by more dogs and cats than I've ever seen before. Everyone here just thinks we love their dogs as much as they do hahaha. Respectfully, animals have been ruined for me! Except for Duke of course!!!

I can't remember what days these next couple things were so imma just not put the day cuz idk haha

- We knocked a less active who let us in. She and her husband are both in our records as members. come to find out the husband was never baptized, but his ex wife filled out papers or something and he now has a record. So basically the whole ward thinks he's a member, but he really isn't hahah.

- We taught 4 different families from Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. It felt like I was in 3 different countries this week! I loved it soooo much.

- We taught a former who is 93 years old. She fed us cookies and ice cream and lives in the cutest apartment I have ever seen. She reminds me of my great grandma Liljenquist so it kind of hits home for me. I love her

-Also Tanja (the one who fought Drake) dropped us this week. Kinda sad, but honestly, I'm happy because she's not ready right now, but people out there are, and we have to find them!! one day, she will be ready:)

Spiritual thought:

My mom sent me a book a little bit ago that I've been reading, and I want to share a story that is in it that I love!

The writer Ganel-lyn Condie shares a personal story about how she got called to be primary chorister. she said yes and then ran out of the room, having a panic attack. She had 2 books to finish writing, a son to graduate high school, and a busy speaking calendar. She also knew nothing about music. she didn't feel capable or enough. Sunday came when she was supposed to be sustained. she wanted to feel confirmation that this is what God wanted her to do. She had been attending the temple, praying, and asked for a priesthood blessing. Sacrament meeting began, and she saw someone from the young men's presidency run up to hand 2 pieces of bread to her son, who was blessing the sacrament. those 2 pieces of bread were the only ones her son was given that day. She began to pray during the hymn. as the deacon handed her the bread tray, she looked down at the bread and saw that each piece was the size of a small crumb. The entire ward was sharing those 2 pieces of bread. as she reached for a morsel, she very distinctly heard a voice say, "I know you have nothing to offer. I know you have only a crumb to give this calling. but it is enough. I will make up the rest. it is enough. "as she took that piece of sacrament bread she received her answer. Later, she asked her son what had happened. He said that when they handed him those two sad little pieces of bread, he immediately thought of the miracle of the fishes and the loaves, and he started to pray that there would be enough. Most people in the ward didn't notice what happened. She has prayed and pleaded with the lord. She went to the temple and received a priesthood blessing and nothing calmed her anxieties. She needed the sacrament. She said that serving in the primary ended up being one of the greatest blessings in her life. everything else she was worried about worked out as well. Her son graduated and served a mission and she met all her deadlines.

She ends with this.

"The takeaway I want to share with you is the sacrament. Don't miss it. Don't skip a Sunday. It is a time to take your box filled with all your regrets, mistakes, sins, hurts, and fears and give it all to the Lord. Stuff your box full. He can handle it. And when the tray is passed to you, take that bread and water into your soul as well as into your body. The symbols of Christ's body are within you when you partake. His light and spirit are renewed within you each time you remember those baptismal covenants. There is nothing more intimate than that. The savior doesn't want an arms-length kind of relationship with you. He wants an intimate, best-friend-tell-me-everything-and-let-me-carry-it-for-you kind of connection. Stop waiting to be perfect enough to approach the Lord to receive the gift he has already prepared and given you. You don't have to get dressed up for his party. Come as you are. He is waiting at the well. He knows the real you, and he loves you perfectly. He has enough to make you enough. Christ rejoices when you receive and rely on his grace. Remember, the crumb you have to offer is enough... with him by your side."

Sorry this is a novel but I love this so much. When I decided to serve a mission I was like, ain't no way. I didn't think I was enough! As I have looked back these past 7 months I have seen that Christ didn't only walk beside me OR carry me. He made up the difference! I was told at the beginning of my mission that every single day my 100% would look different. That has been very true! but it doesn't even matter because what we have to offer every single day is enough!!!! Because Jesus Christ makes up the difference!

And that tiny little crumb is always enough with Christ by our side!

Like p barns says in every conference, meeting, or interview

1. show up

2. choose faith

3. trust the process

I love being a missionary!!!! I love these people with my whole heart. Some days I feel like I could explode! I'm so grateful for my best friend and Savior Jesus christ!! and I freaking love des moines

☆Our Ghana friend, Florence speaks Twi so she taught us a little bit

Meadow, (I love you in twi)

Sister Liljenquist

Things I miss

1. watching tlc (my strange addiction) with linc and chuck

2. bachelor (I know, clown me)

3. Doing hair !!!

4. my mom calling me 12 times a day

Pics:

1. zone pday

2. our queen Florence

3. member dinner