Sick Cookie

This week, I learned about humility. And patience...but I think mostly humility. We didn't end up getting our car back until Wednesday, which meant we went a total of five days getting rides from ward members (mostly Sister Cameron). And then I got sick the day after we got the car back. I was sickish one other time since coming on the mish, but it was really mild and didn't keep me from going out. This has been a very different experience. It's been humbling. It still is humbling, because I'm still sick (although the pendulum is now swinging the opposite direction -- I hit a low Saturday afternoon)

Due to the car and my current state of illness, I've never had to ask so many people for help in such a short period of time. We had to ask everyone for rides, we had meetings on Friday in which we participated by phone, we had important appointments to be at on Saturday so a member (Sister Bowman) came and stayed with me all day while a different member (Valerie Cornelio) went out with Sister Johnston, I asked the Elders in our district for a blessing and because the two of them couldn't come alone, all four Elders in our district were temporarily taken out of their areas on Saturday afternoon. I do not like asking for a help. I think I like even less accepting help. But you know...it turns out that Heavenly Father is watching out for me just as much as I'm always telling other people he's watching out for them. After feeling sorry for myself for way too long because I had to rely on other people for things, it occurred to me (I'm kind of slow) how blessed I am to be surrounded by people at this time who are able and willing to reach out to others around them. Including the sister missionaries. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't able to say "Is there anything we can do for you?" because, really, I wasn't capable of doing much. The most I could honestly offer was "Is there anything or anyone for whom you would specifically have us pray?"

My prayers have never been more sincere.

The blessing I was given was really beautiful. To be honest, I was kind of out of it and don't remember everything (wishing I'd had someone write it down) but there are a few specific points I've thought a lot about. I've been feeling a fair amount of stress since coming to Chapel Hill, mostly tied to things over which I have no control. In the blessing, I was told "Be still." In that moment and since, I've had more peace with me. I can think more clearly. I already had "Be still, and know that I am God" written above my desk but I take it more...literally, now. It's important to take time to literally be still and prioritize.

As far as our area, there hasn't been a lot of progression this week. But we have good plans for the coming week, and we've had some great contact with members and we've been able to talk to a lot of people about the missionary work they are or want to be doing. Hopefully there will be more to report next week.

And if everything else this week wasn't humbling enough, every Elder in our district has now seen me in my pajamas, no makeup, unshowered, and super sick on top of that. District meeting will never be the same.

I love you all,
Remember that you are a son or daughter of a Father in heaven who loves you more than you or I can comprehend.
I invite you to watch this video https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1420-because-of-him?lang=eng that you've maybe seen before but I know that for me, it's somehow gotten better. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that by Him and through Him, we can do all things. He is why we can have joy and peace in this life and for all eternity. Absolutely everything that makes us sad or stressed or upset or frustrated or tired can be completely taken away because of Him.
Have a good week!

With the Bishop and his family before she left Terrebonne

Another from Terrebonne... with a promise of pics from her current area next time!