T minus 5 days until I leave the bubble that is the Missionary Training Center… it’s funny how the days are so long where breakfast feels like last month, yet these two weeks have flown right by. I’m going to try and keep my email shorter this time because I personally hate reading and don’t want to cause that burden upon all of you.

This week I have really found that I’m starting to get into the flow of things. With my standards and responsibilities as a missionary, I’ve learned to handle the stress and flourish because of it. It’s like.. if someone says something that would usually ignite a flare of anxiety such as “you have to talk in sacrament meeting.. right now” over the pulpit, mind you, rather than feeling that adrenaline and fear, I respond like “Yeah, okay” because that’s just how my life is now. And wouldn’t you know it.. I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting on Sunday, over the pulpit. Now, I should mention we were warned before hand that we should prepare a talk because we would be randomly chosen without warning until the meeting of. But I have loved seeing things that would usually shake me to the core become something I feel strength from my Savior to be able to do. The trial or task isn’t taken away, but I feel like I am able to face it with a new perspective and purpose. It’s as if my anxiety in those moments just melts away and I feel my heart open and I completely rely on my Savior. I’ve never experienced that before my mission and it has been a literal miracle and I’m grateful to be witnessing it.

I suppose I need to explain the subject of this email… THE FLOOR IS LAVA! Every time the sisters get into the elevator in the residence hall, we play the floor is lava. Rules are, as soon as the door closes and until they open, you gotta stay off the ground! There are railings along the wall and it is hilarious trying to cling to and balance on them as we travel up to the next floor. It’s the best.

For the buildings on fire.. well we were getting ready for bed and the fire alarms went off! We ended up all hanging around outside with maybe 100 other sisters singing hymns and bonding. I actually don’t know if there was a fire but I guess some of our lava made it out of the elevator and burned a few things 😉 

Here’s another cool thing! Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorem of the Twelve Apostles came to speak to us on Tuesday. This devotional was broadcast to all the MTC’s around the world. I had the honor of singing in the MTC choir. During the devotional, big screens at the front of the room showed what was being broadcast. We are directed to not look at the screens because we might see ourselves and get distracted and it can draw away from the spirit. So I didn’t! But come to find out, from one of the Elders in my district who wasn’t in the choir, the camera, for a few moments, had actually zoomed in on my face as I was singing! Hahaha, how fun is that? But it was so awesome being able to sing for a prophet of the lord. What an amazing experience.

I wanna end my email with talking about one of the spiritual experiences I had from this week that has literally changed my life along with so many others I won’t share because this is already a long email… I’m sorry. 

Here is a beautiful analogy given to us by our teacher Brother Hoopes. He asked us to imagine in the future when we have a young child of our own, for the sake of simplicity, say a little 4-year old boy. One day, you ask your son to go outside and rake up the leaves in the yard. The little boy grabs the big rake from the garage and heads outside. After maybe a half hour, you go back to check on him. As you look around, you notice the leaves are everywhere as if nothing had been done. Then, you see your son. He is raking his little heart out, dragging the giant garden tool back and forth, to no success. He is trying to pick up leaves in armfuls or one by one to gather them. The leaves are still scattered, his efforts barely making a dent. But how do you feel towards your little boy? Do you storm out to him and demand as to why the work isn’t done? Are you disappointed with his efforts or do you scold him? Well no! Of course not! You would be glowing with pride! You would smile, you would feel an overwhelming feeling of love and compassion along with gratitude and joy. You know he is doing his absolute best to do what you asked and that’s all that matters to you! You might even take pictures because he’s just so darn cute and he’s doing his absolute best 🙂 

Brother Hoopes related this to our work as a missionary. We are the 4 year old boy asked to perform a seemingly impossible task. We try our best, but sometimes it seems like we are making no difference at all. It is so important to remember that Heavenly Father is never disappointed when we do our best to do what asks of us, even if it proves unsuccessful. He loves and appreciates our efforts and he’s so proud of us. Who knows, maybe he thinks were just so darn cute 😉 And Jesus Christ, through his atonement, makes up the difference. My job is to do my best and let him take care of the rest!

I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity I have to be called as a missionary of God to care for his children. This is it! I will never have the opportunity to serve as a Full-time missionary like this again. And I’m all in! I declare to my Father in Heaven just as the son of Brother Tuttle (second counselor in my branch presidency) told him as a young boy. “You can count on me, Dad!”

This gospel is the full, true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The principles and commandments taught bring true joy to all who choose to follow them. My Savior Jesus Christ suffered for me, and he truly suffered, so that I can become my best self and live with my Father again. This message is of great value and importance and I count it as a blessing that I have the privilege to wear the Saviors name on my chest every day, stand as a witness that he lives and share this beautiful message so others can xperience true joy. 

I love you all so much! Keep your chins up! Remember who you are, but most importantly, remember WHOSE you are.

Scripture of the week: Joshua 1:9

Get busy, get lost!
Sister Abby Oldham