Soo...this week I hit my year mark. Which is crazy! Sister Pickett and I pulled out our first mission journal last night, and I was reading through. I thought I'd share a few inserts from journal entries of the past year:
Missionary Training Center
June 12, 2013
"Currently I am on a flight to Salt Lake City.....saying goodbye this morning was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am going to miss my family so much. I was doing okay until Derek started crying, then I couldn't stop. I hope they know how much I love them....My Dad gave me such a big hug, and my Mom held me so tight. Devyn and Aunt Elizabeth came to the airport. I could not ask for a better friend than Devyn. She stayed over last night. I can't express how much I will miss them all. I know this is a wonderful sacrifice though."
"I am very honored to devote my life to the Lord in the next 18 months. I love Him so much, and already love his children in Alabama."
June 17, 2013
"Yesterday, Sunday, was by far my hardest day...it was Father's day, so I wrote a long letter home to my Dad tell him how much I love and missed them"
June 24, 2013
"Also, I finally got a letter!"
July 22,2013
"We will be leaving the Missionary Training Center for Alabama in 45 minutes...I'm so excited!"
July 23,2013
"Alabama is beautiful! Everything is so green! It was raining all day, but I loved it! I'm excited to use my raincoat! There is a bible in the nightstand by the bed, and at the airport there were ladies with big cross necklaces. I'm so excited to be here!I can't wait to get to work!
DECATUR, AL
July 29, 2013
"Friday and Saturday we got to work and started knocking on doors. It's interesting how different people respond to us. We found one guy. He is about mid-20s, bright red hair, with tattoos up and down his arm, and he seemed interested...Another lady told us they were preachers at a local Baptist church and we were wasting our time..."
August 3, 2013
"Hermana Leahman and I get the funniest looks while we ride our bikes. We just smile and wave--it's great!.
I'm slowly but surely learning what it means to be a good missionary, especially a missionary in the South. I can do everything I can, but really, it's up to the Lord and his timing."
August 10, 2013
"Well, I was warned. I lived in western Washington for seven years, but when it rains in Alabama, it pours!"
September 6, 2013
"Well, I got my fill of F-bombs yesterday."
October 10, 2013
"On our way to trying to bike to some people who just moved in, we passed a lady...who had run out of gas, but no one had helped her...Apparently two girls in skirts trying to push an SUV on a slope got some attention fast, because two cars immediately showed up."
COLUMBUS, MS
November 13, 2013
"Yesterday was probably one of the hardest days of my mission..Then it was also about 25 degrees outside, and we were on our bikes...thankfully I was wearing my fleece-lined tights my Mom had sent in her package...that being said, it was still a really good day. I prayed so many times to Heavenly Father to give me strength. I did not know how I was going to make it through, and He gave me that strength... I lost count of of the hymns I sang yesterday. It took an hour to bike home, usually it take 30-40 min. But it was a good day"
December 12, 2013
"Today is exactly my 6 month mark! And I witnessed a miracle...We invited Terry to be baptized, and he accepted"
December 28, 2013
"Rain, Rain, Rain...We done been soaked! But it was a great day. Went to a former investigators, and got preached too...also my feet hate me, but my keens are holding up great!"
January 19,2014
"I know the Lord still performs miracles. Today, I had the privilege of being a part of one."
January 23, 2014
"Momma Donna is so ready, its amazing. I was just thinking about what if we hadn't stopped that cold night when it was dark and we could have left. But as we walked by, the dog was barking, and the spirit was tugging at my heart. I knew we had to go in, so I told Sister Black we had to turn around. She welcomed us in and we did dishes and chatted....Her baptism is this Sunday, and she is so excited."
BIRMINGHAM, AL
March 10, 2014
"...then she fed us too! Yup. 3 meals. One night. Do you see my tummy? That is a lot of love!"
March 23, 2014
"Happy Birthday Derek...She quit smoking and is moving! We helped her pack today...We also taught Hermano Paco english, and played soccer with some ward members and people who are interested in learning. I am terrible, but it was fun!"
April 20,2014
"Then-my favorite part- Montse bore her testimony. She said she wanted to be baptized to bring more guidance in her life for her baby. She said: 'En las palabras del Libro de Mormon...' (In the words of the Book of Mormon") to have more peace and happiness. She was so sincere, so beautiful".
April 22, 2014
"Side note:it's always funny when you are speaking Spanish and you realize they can speak english"
April 28, 2014
"Well, I am currently sitting in a bathtub. Sister Layton is sitting next to me, while Sister Pickett, and Sister Torgerson and Sister Klein are sitting on the floor...
Tornado. Yup."
May 22, 2014
"Alabama has my heart"
I hope you all enjoyed that a little peak into my past year. I am so grateful for the support of my family and friends. I still got 6 months to go and so I am going to keep running. Whenever I am having a bad day, the best thing to do is to go out, work hard, and loose myself in the service of others. I wouldn't not be able to share all the wonderful experiences I've gained in the past year, and I know I still have so much to learn!!!
I know, without a doubt, that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. We take so many things for granted. I have been so blessed in my life, and all I want is to share those blessings. That's where I've found my true happiness. When I was going through a hard time, people who tell me to go and find myself, take time for "me". What does that even mean??? I have only found myself by losing myself and putting others first. I never understood what that meant before. If you don't either...I hope you get out and try it :)
I've seen the Book of Mormon, which we study with the Bible to learn about gospel of Jesus Christ, change lives.
I am so grateful for all that I have been blessed with. This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the best. I love my God, I love my family, I love life!!!
Roll Tide!
Love y'all!
Hermana McClune
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