How'd y'all know we was in Athens? I didn't get no chance to tell nobody
(insert southern drawl)
But, I'm happy to be back here. It's crazy! We were driving through Decatur, and it was a little like coming home. So much has happened in a year! I can't believe it!My companion, Sister Stiles, is from Turlock, California. She is so sweet :) And everyone keeps asking if we are sisters...which is kind of funny. We are like well yes! But uh, no... and then we explain :) Apparently we look a like. I'll try to send pictures next week.
I think my favorite part was going to see Mama Brenda. Friday, we went to Decatur for a District Meeting. The District leader showed up a little late, apparently they had been lost in the hospital or something. After the meeting, I went and asked him if I could have permission to go see Mama Brenda while we were there. Turns out, that is who they had been visiting in the hospital. We rushed over. She is okay, but had to go in and ended up staying there. It was so good to see here. I basically started crying on the spot. (wimpy missionaries!)
When you have seen someone take those steps to come closer to their Heavenly Father, you feel a special connection with them. Mama Brenda has had such an impact on my mission. She was one of the first people we found and started teaching, and we really were led to her...it was to much to be coincidences. We just met her in August last year, when we were trying to bring cookies to her daughter. She was baptized this past January. She needed the hope that the gospel brings, she has gone through so much. When I feel unmotivated or tired, I think of her, and how are there are more people like her who need the gospel. She is so much happier than she was before--even though she was in the hospital. She has absolute faith that everything will work out. Only Christ can offer that kind of hope.
You know who my favorite person in the Book of Mormon is? Ammon. Why? Because he is the happiest guy! In Alma 28 he falls over he is so stinkin' happy when he is reunited with his friend Alma again. I'm trying to read the entire book of Mormon in Spanish this transfer, and I was reading about him this morning. I love what he says in Alma 26:
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.
That's how I feel. I feel so blessed to be a part of this work. I know Heavenly Father really does love his children, and I feel so blessed that he would trust me to go out and help care for them.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.
That's how I feel. I feel so blessed to be a part of this work. I know Heavenly Father really does love his children, and I feel so blessed that he would trust me to go out and help care for them.
I love you all! Eat some watermelon for me, enjoy the Columbia, and have a wonderful 4th of July!
Love y'all's guts!
Hermana McClune
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