Hey y'all,
Another great week here in Alabama! Filled with some of the hottest, sweatiest days possible. Sister Latu's bikefinally got here, and I've nearly biked that poor girl to death.
I wasn't going to share this but I feel like I should.
Most of y'all know that I love running. There is a peace and satisfaction that comes from it that I love. Two years ago I did a marathon- 26.2 miles.
During training, you build up mileage each week. While I was on my 20-mile week, we were on a family vacation in Hawaii. I ran the first part by myself, Derek ran the second part with me, and my Dad ran the last leg. I was so grateful for them.
Around mile 18, I hit "the wall": the point where you don't feel like you can't go further. I remember I couldn't breathe, I started to hyperventilate. I thought I was going to have to stop.
I am so grateful my dad was there. He coached me through it, helped me to calm down. He encouraged me through the last 2 miles, and then said, "Let's keep running to that stop sign". Then, "Lets keep going just a little longer". Little by little, he showed me that I could do it. Actually, I could do more. I ran just under 22 miles that day.
A lot of the time, life is like that way. Lately I've just felt overwhelmed. I'm not about to quit, but it's hard to put on feet in front of the other at times. I feel so inadequate. I'm not the missionary or person that I would quite like to be. I'm doing my best, but it never feel enough. I feel as though I've hit a wall with my mission.
Maybe you've had a similar experience?
Just like my Dad ran with me when I didn't think I could do it, our Heavenly Father is running along side us, every step of the way. He is showing us that not only can we do it, but we can be stronger or better than we though possible. He sees us for what we can be. He sees our potential. He is coaching us every single step of the way.
There are many people here that don't know they have a loving Heavenly Father. Yes, I'm in the bible belt. There are many people who know about God and Christ; much more than I do. I want to help them know him personally. In Spanish there are two words for "know". Conocer is more of a word like familiar, or to personally know someone. Saber is like to know a fact. I hope that I can help people "conocer" su Padre Celestial- their Father. He truly loves us. I met a gal this week who is very angry at God. She was out on her front porch, trying not to make eye-contact with us, but we made our way up there anyway. We started talking and she opened up about some of the very hard things she has gone through. She feels abandoned and that her children were abandoned. As she was explaining this, her daughter came out. Her daughter then put her arm around her, told her Mom how much she loved her, and that she didn't feel abandoned. It was neat to see how Heavenly Father used us to help initiate a conversation between a mother and a daughter that really need to happen. They both cried as they told each other how much they loved each other, and were grateful for the hard times. I told her that her Father was mindful of her, and that is why he had sent us that day. He really is reaching out to is children in love.
That knowledge is what gets me through. It's what keeps me going when I feel like giving up. It keeps me motivated to find the next person, after someone turns me down. It's what keeps me peddling in the rain or hot sun. It's what gives me hope when I feel lost. I am a daughter of God.
I know Heavenly Father loves us so much, that he sent his son. I know Christ has felt all that we feel. He is the only person who can say that. He felt that so he would know how to help us. I know this is his church on the earth today. I know he lives.
McClune Clan: Thanks for always being there for me. I sure love you guys. Thanks for being with me every step of the way.
I love y'all!
Hermana McClune
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