Being Me... a NEW Me
March 18, 2013
PI DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [3.14] I TOTALLY FORGOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO MORE CLOTHES. I’m really worried about future transfers....... I’m not sure if I can fit all my junk back in my luggage.
PI DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [3.14] I TOTALLY FORGOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO MORE CLOTHES. I’m really worried about future transfers....... I’m not sure if I can fit all my junk back in my luggage.
Adventures Speaking of luggage, let’s talk about my new daughter, Sister Romão, shall we? She’s more than a head shorter than EVERYONE, hahaha, poor thing. We have already decided we’re going to trade hair when I leave. She’s got this Black Power going on that I LOVE. She’s humble, teachable, responsible, and more annoying about the rules than I am! That’s my daughter. My promise to be more motherly is going perfectly. On the LONG ride home, we talked and she cried... a LOT. She’s 19, and I chose her before I even saw her. ALL of the Newbie luggage was in one room that we trainers entered to put together an impromptu hymn to sing to our children, and I saw a piece of luggage that I fell in love with. It was a purple background with tropical flowers. In my head, I said, “I will for SURE be a trainer to this lady who brought this luggage. We’re already lifelong friends.” At that point, I STILL thought I’d get another mini missionary because Elder Mimary—who LOST Elise points this transfer—told me I’d get another mini missionary. I was sweating bullets thinking of the worst scenario. Sidenote: Elder Mimary did gain Elise points because he told the whole newbie clan that I was the strongest sister in the mission. He then told of the day when the sisters in Campo Grande needed to move and how I was out-carrying the elders. Elders, in twos, would pick up a piece of furniture with Sister Nelson behind them, alone, carrying a table heavier than the piece of furniture the elders were carrying, hahaha! It’s good to know I have a top-notch first impression. I was called up after the first two daughters were given away, hahaha. Okay, here we go. President Lima didn’t call anyone up, of course, extending the tension. I had already met the mini missionary, 18 years old, Sister M. Santos. She was beautiful, well-groomed (which will change in 1 month), on the delicate side... cool, I’m going to break yet another sister. Poor her. YET, when President Lima was about to announce who my companion was, I wasn’t looking exclusively at her. No, I WASN’T going to serve with another mini missionary. He announced Sister Romão. The little thing popped up and hugged my waist... and I fell in love. Oh, what a daughter she will be. Gathering our belongings, she was more stubborn than I was with her possessions, until I said it was a privilege the trainers get to drag behind them the luggage of their daughters. She relented and let me grasp THE PURPLE LUGGAGE WITH TROPICAL FLOWERS! It was meant to be. It was even MORE meant to be because from the church to the bus, ALL 4 WHEELS fell off. The elder who broke her luggage carried it on his shoulder. When we got to the bus, I put the luggage on my head and said, “I will for SURE be a trainer to this lady who brought this luggage. We’re already lifelong friends.” Our baptism covenant said to carry one another’s burdens so that they will be light. I felt privileged that God knew I was strong enough and willing enough to help in this situation. From the bus line to the bus. From the bus to our house. I got quite some stares, but I’m already used to that. I’m an American. I’m sure they were thinking, “What American acts like an African and carries luggage on her HEAD?” There is NO American who would do that. Just Sister Nelson. Just me. Being Me I lost myself this past transfer. Really. I wasn’t sure who I was and didn’t like who I had become. But, it was so that I could more easily be a new Me, here and now, not for my own personal growth, but that I can more easily be Me to help Sister Romão. I bear my testimony that life changes DO NOT happen without a selfless reason, nor will they occur without the help of Jesus Christ. THAT is why serving others is a commandment; through service, we are more easily influenced to be like Christ. God made me me, God gave me these talents to brighten the lives of others. I am so glad that when I have nothing else—no investigators progressing, no baptisms, no confidence from the bishop—at least I have my smile. Smiles are free and can help anyone and any situation. When I have nothing else, at least I have my hugs. My hugs aren’t free, but they’ll always pull through in the nick of time. When I have nothing else, I look around and see that I have everything. I am eternally grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who has given me the hope of complete happiness after the trials of my faith. I no longer am ashamed to set down my sins at His feet and let Him heal me. Nothing is impossible to Him. He already overcame everything. And only He can give everything that we need. |
Scripture of the Week
Isaiah 29:13, 14 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught
Isaiah 29:13, 14 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught
by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. This Week THE GARDEN will be presented by some member from Rio das Ostras. Yep, God loves me. [Please copy and paste this link to hear one of the songs from the deeply-moving musical allegory about the Atonement. Years ago, Sister Nelson and her family participated in the choir of this tremendous production.] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWLXep0IVqM P.S. Mommmy, thanks for everything. Daddy, I always tell people here that I’m glad for my parents because they taught me about Christ and placed my feet on the path of righteousness. Many parents think that they are taking away the agency of their children if they make them go to church. Sad. |