Y’all. I’m shook. That’s all I gotta say. God has got a funny way of flipping everything upside down and just giving it a good shake. Stay on your toes, folks!! That is what I’m learning! Let me start from the beginning of the week though…

We were still in quarantine at the beginning of the week so all meetings we are usually a part of we had to join over zoom. Kind of a bummer because we could barely hear what people said, but oh well.

We went fishing once this week which was a blast! We have a fishing pole and the mission nurse said we needed to get some outside time because of quarantine so of course we took advantage of that. We didn’t catch anything but sometimes that’s just how it is. It was still fun!

One evening this week we decided to do something dumb so we laid out a bunch of random foods and numbered them and then drew 4 numbers and put those 4 random foods in a batch of brownies! So we had chocolates, bananas, apple cider powder and cheddar potato instant soup mix… oh boy. When I tell you it smelled like PUKE, I mean it. And then when I tell you it TASTED like puke… I mean that too🤣😭 Nastyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

So on Tuesday, we had Sister Wilson go get tested for the Rona and she tested negative! That meant that we could come out of quarantine on Friday, New Years day! Exciting!! Right? So we have an awesome New Years eve and make a TON of snacks, get all fat and all that good stuff. And the next morning we are ecstatic to get out of the apartment!

Until 9:34am… when we get a phone call. “President Chapman” the phone reads. We promptly answer and we know right away that something is wrong. President asks to speak to me and me alone. My initial feeling and thought was that he had heard from doctors, it was serious and my worst fear had become a reality. My second thought was that someone in my family had passed away. Both would be devastating. Either way, the haunting thought penetrated my mind that I could very well be headed home. It was all in his tone of voice that had me so concerned.

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He said to me “Sister Oldham, I need you to leave for Burleson to be an STL in an emergency transfer. And I need you to leave today.”

The amount of relief that flooded over me cannot be described, but may I also note the flood of utter bewilderment at his very sudden and urgent request. Of course, I told him I would do it and before I knew it, I was in a van with my new companion driving away from my favorite zone. All on the first day of 2021…

So now I am an STL in Burleson! If you don’t know what STL means, it stands for Sister training leader. Honestly not too much is different, just a few added responsibilities and meetings to go to. I have a new companion and I live in a large apartment with another trio of Sisters! We share a big, white Dodge van and it is a party.

Since being in Burleson, I’ve been to church and met a few people in the ward and we also met together as a zone Sunday night for a “Family Zone Evening” (FZE). We had an awesome roll-play session that was super fun and beneficial.

I’ll be honest, it has been kinda rough the last few days. Especially that first day. It all happened so fast and I wasn’t expecting nor ready to leave Alliance. I love every single person in that zone so much and leaving your best friends is not an easy thing to do. It was especially hard to leave my companions. We had an awesome friendship and serving with them was a true joy.

However, I know God has other plans. We don’t grow in our comfort zone. I think this change is something I need. Among all the hardship that has come out of this quick adjustment, I will tell you something that I have noticed. I have not spent more than maybe 30 minutes total since being transferred thinking about my own personal trials. Specifically my health concerns. I don’t think y’all know how HUGE that is. It has gone from occupying my mind several hours a day to almost not at all.

There are some people here who, I won’t lie, are really having a difficult time. I was warned coming into this zone that they were in need of some extra love, care and motivation. I have been so busy the last few days pondering and figuring out what it is that I can do for the people in this zone that I haven’t had TIME to think or worry about myself. In chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel, there is a quote by President Ezra Taft Benson. It says:

“I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.”

I have always believed this to be a true principle, but seeing it work in my life is something else. I also don’t believe this only applies to missionary work. I believe this extends to all aspects of life. If you want to feel happier, serve others. It works, I know it does because I’m seeing it work in my own life RIGHT NOW. And truly nothing comes close to the joy that comes from forgetting yourself and focusing on those around you. Try it, I dare you😉 Then send me an email, tell me how it goes.

I know this is God’s very work and truth. I know that God has a plan for me and for you that is specific to the potential He sees in us. And that potential just so happens to be divine! His plan for you is NOT going to be comfortable, that is something you can count on. But find joy in the uncomfortable times because you can trust that those times are when God is giving you the chance to develop, grow and to become like Him. What a true blessing that is

Go get lost in serving someone this week and know and trust how much God loves you. Have a fantastic week!! Love y’all!

Scripture of the week! Matthew 10:39

Get Busy, Get Lost!
-Sister Oldham