Some things I've learned in 9 months as a sister missionary

So, this week was pretty great! I contemplated a lot on all the things that I've learned in the past 9 months. I think most of all, I've learned (and am still learning) to trust in God. He's proven to me over and over that He's always right and knows the best way, and I'm slowly learning to rely on Him in all things and trust His way. Along with that, I've learned (and am still learning) to accept His will, and as I do so, I find that His desires become my desires, and I feel peace and happiness :) I've learned that when we look to Christ, we don't need to be afraid. Until the day I see my Savior again, I need to remind my soul to "be still.. the Lord is on thy side." I could fill a book with all the learning experiences I've had (that's what a journals for, right?) but I am just forever grateful I am able to be on a mission.

I read about Nephi's family going to the Promised Land the other day, and when they made it to the shore in Bountiful, I'm sure they thought ok great, I like this, milk and honey - yes. BUT God told them that they needed to leave there too (after leaving their wealth and home and life in Jerusalem) and built a ship (not that they knew how) and sail across the ocean for almost a year. Why? Because He had something more in mind for them. Something better was waiting, that He had been preparing for them. And after enduring so much more, they made it to the promised land and "were blessed in abundance" :) But the point is, God has a plan for us. For me, I've come so far, but I've got so far to go and when I think alright, I'm doin ok. I'm doin good. then He throws something to make me grow some more. Nothing good comes easily, it wasn't meant to be easy.

It may not be on the mountain height [but then again it may be]

Or over the stormy sea [but on the other hand it could be]

It may not be at the battle's front [but not all can be in the rear]

My Lord will have need of me [but the point is]

I'll answer dear Lord with my hand in thine: I'll go where you want me to go

We only become the best people we can become when we are put in the refiner's fire and allow Him to shape us and help us. And we're not doing this on our own - His grace is sufficient for all of us! His love and support and encouragement surrounds us constantly, but we have to let Him in. We have the choice. Choose to be happy, to accept Him and I promise He will be there waiting!

Sara is still doing so well, she wasn't able to come to church because she was working a 14 hour shift, but she is talking to her boss about taking Sunday's off forever :) She is SO solid, and is coming to every activity and institute and everything. She is so sweet and we're so excited for her and the changes she's making in her life. We also got to meet with a recent convert, Kelsy, from YSA. She is just going through a rough time and we were able to help her, and some of the things she is enduring I've been through and I was able to bear my testimony to her and help her in a way I understood and we cried together and it was so special. I have never felt so much love for others as I have serving these people. I've tasted a bit of what our Savior feels for us, and I am forever grateful for my mission and the things I am learning and feeling and experiencing.

I love each of you so much and am so so thankful for your love and support! :) I hope you have the greatest week!

Sister Wilson

 

 I got to go on exchange with Sis Rasmussen for the 3rd time, woopwoop!

 we love rainy day highway tracting!

 (and that's a big blueberry field)

 

 

 

 some tracting finds!

 (that huge bell is in fact their doorbell - it works)

 a little snake we found on the side of the road - I got way excited but then realized it was squished

 our nightly floorly planning sesh

 

I never know what to title this

I just love being a missionary, and that is all.

I LOVE being with Sister Loy - she is so funny! We were tracting earlier this week and this one house had a little decorative crab and she looked at me and said, "so, why everyone say holy crab?" and I just about died laughing (thankfully those people weren't home) and explained to her the difference between crab and crap. (it sounds the same when she says either though) <3 We have so much fun. I'm still learning more Cambodian and we say little things to each other and nobody else understands - it's way fun. ;) (I mix up the words for "bless you" and "rice" though, they sound way similar and so sometimes when she sneezes I just say "rice" and we'll laugh)

So this past week we had zone conferences! Ours was on Tuesday and it was SO good. We also all got blackboxes on our cars... That is not so exciting. It's called "TIWI" and it yells at you everytime you speed or drive too "aggressively" (turning too sharp or going over bumps to fast etc) and then reports it to President. I've been commanded to "check your speed" twice this week, and both times it just about scares us to death. But it's going to make everybody better drivers and keep us safer, so that's a good thing. :)

Zone Conference was way good - we had trainings on things like studying and planning and at the end President talked about grace. It was amazing. (AND I got to be the pianist for our special arrangement of "Amazing Grace" that we always sing :) Elder Oliphant who always plays goes home this transfer and I was told I may or may not be replacing him.. scary!) But in his talking about grace I felt so uplifted. There is no sheer grit or willpower that can ever make us good to better, it is only by the Amazing Grace of our Lord that we can truly be free and be changed. It's more acquainted with where we're headed and our hearts/desires rather than what we do (good or bad). I've felt that power - it's real! Because of our Savior and Redeemer we will not only live again, capable to live with our families forever and ever, but right here and right now we can change. We can become the people, parents, spouses, children, friends, etc that we want to become. His Atonement and His love and His grace is so real. He is always there waiting with open arms, no matter how often we may decline or push Him away He waits patiently for us to return. He loves you so much, and so personally. I know He does!

We had a miracle this week in finding Sarah - she is from Guatemala but has lived in the states for almost her whole life and she has been so prepared for the Gospel! The Oly 3rd sisters found her tracting and gave her to us because she's YSA age, and before we even started our first lesson with her she asked where she could find a copy of the Book of Mormon and if she was allowed to come to church with us! She is preparing to be baptized on May 2! :) She came to the YSA branch with us and loved it - she texted us afterwards saying how much she appreciated it and thinks that becoming a part of this church will be so good for her. She is the sweetest thing and I love her to death!!

Speaking of church, we found out about 5 minutes before Oly 1st ward that the gospel essentials teacher was sick and we were teaching. So that was a nice surprise. Sis Loy has officially taught in English 2-3 times since we've been together so that's been a challenge but I absolutely love it, and helping her has been so fun for me. I teach her English and she teaches me Khmer :)

This week is my official 9 month mark of arriving in Washington. I have never loved it more! It's the most beautiful place I've ever been and I feel so blessed and thankful to be here. I love you all SO so much and wish you the best week ever!!

Sister Wilson

^^the beautiful views!! and you can see the Capitol and the rainclouds coming in behind it :)

we did service for a family in the ward doing barn chores and cleaning up their horse pastures

and this is one of my favorites signs on a member's door :)) haha!!

OIy Oly Oly

Hello! 

 

I don't have a ton of time today, but we are doing so good. 

This past Saturday I got to go back to Deschutes (again :)) they can't keep me away!) to see Tristan and Rainy Goodchild finally get baptized!! (Tristan is the one who would do the "baptism holy wataa!" dance) It was so so good, we had been working with them my 3 transfers there and they kept working since I left and they finally made it! It was so cute - I love those kids so much! (and they're probably moving to AZ next year so we're totally going to party) I LOVE baptisms. The spirit is so strong there and I love that family so much!! 

 

This past week we also went to go check on some of our Cambodian families and when we went to see Lyda, her mom answered and we gave her a Cambodian Book of Mormon and said we could come see her too! (they were speaking Khmer [pronounced cumai] and I stood there and smiled but I understood a few words so it's ok - I'm still learning) So that was awesome. I LOVE Sister Loy - she makes us waaay good Cambodian food <3 We're going to the Asian market today so she can do real work. So excited.

 

So, we were knocking earlier this week and knew a member lived on that street but she wasn't home while we were there so we kept walking, and about 20 minutes later ran into her stroller-ing her 9 month old baby. While we were talking I asked her if there was anything we could do for her and blurted out "Do you just have like dishes you don't feel like washing or something?" and immediately she just started crying. She told us that she had a pile of dishes sitting in her sink that she just couldn't bring herself to wash and she is just really struggling with a lot on her plate right now. So we were alright let's go! And me and Sis Loy spent over an hour washing dishes for her. We went over another day this week and helped her with laundry and things like that too, and it was just so fun. I LOVE service, and it was humbling to know that God used us to help her in her time of need. It's really hard to find service in this area but this week we also might be going to help a family take care of their horses and do barn chores :) God answers prayers!!

 

I absolutely love this Gospel, I know that it truly changes lives. It truly brings lasting peace and happiness to us and our families. I have seen it change people's hearts. Kelly Walker (who was baptized a few weeks ago) was telling us how great he has felt - he can sleep at night. He isn't addicted to anything anymore and has that freedom. He feels peace even when things go wrong. That's what the Gospel does. I feel so blessed to live in this time when the gospel has been restored, and that we have a prophet who lives and leads us. I love this work, and I love being able to share it with those around me. Jesus Christ lives. He lives to help us, don't ever hesitate to use the Atonement. It is there for you :) 

 

I love the absolute craziness of Olympia. I love you all so very much and hope you have the greatest week!!

 

Sister Wilson

 

 here's some super pretty tulips! the flowers here are ridiculously pretty

 and just some good old backwoods-trail-contacting

 greengreengreengreen. even the bark is green.

 this sunset was 110000 better than this, and it's dark but it was over the woodsy-city and rolling green mountains and AH

 

 rainy day tracting

 

 

Tristan and Rainy!! <3

 

 

God is Good!

We had the most amazing week!! Transfers was on Tuesday and Sister Tanner went home safe and sound, and I got Sister Loy!! She's from Cambodia has been Cambodian speaking in Tacoma her whole mission (10 months) and this is the first time she's been reassigned English for a little bit. And oh my goodness I LOVE HER. She is the cutest thing and we have so much fun. And she's teaching me Cumai (Cambodian). I already know hello/ goodbye / "I don't speak Cambodian" / how are you / I love you / good / bad / die / yes / no / beautiful / crazy / "we are missionaries" and some other things. I'll be fluent by the end of this transfer ;) I'll just be reassigned Cambodian speaking. It's so fun.

We saw SO many miracles this week I can't even tell you. It was amazing! There have been a couple other Cambodian sisters reassigned English in Oly 3rd and they told Sis Loy they never met one Cambodian. Our first night knocking we found THREE Cambodian families!! Then in checking up with one of them they pointed us to another Cambodian family and a couple days ago we found another family!! 3 out of 5 want to learn more! :) It is so exciting! Then one day we were street contacting and we walked into a Cambodian family who turned out to be a recent convert that they haven't been able to find for over 6 months!! It was a complete miracle and we got his new address and number. Sister Loy was SO happy - she said they have been praying every night over 6 months to find him and we did!! God is so good! Her English is way good, too. I help her with some words though and it's way fun teaching each other.

General Conference was SO good, too. A few of the talks I felt were just for me :) Plus, the Wa-Tac got a shout out from Elder Pearson who was the mission president to presidents ago! Woo! And then that family from Thailand they talked about who's dad is the stake president now? Their daughter was in our mission! (she just went home in Nov) so that was super exciting too! We watched it at the stake center which was all missionaries and like 4 other random people and we were all so excited.

I loved the talk about being a Latter-day "saint" and what that means - to keep trying! Don't be a latter-day sinner or quitter or hypocrite. The quote "I'm not a saint, unless by saint you mean a sinner who keeps on trying" I loved. There was a lot said about enduring to the end and keeping our testimonies strong, and I think that is so important especially in these days where the adversary is going to be trying SO hard to lead us away from the true happiness we can find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I absolutely loved the talks on Atonement and Grace too. The Atonement is so real. I knew what the Atonement "was" before my mission, but in the past (almost) 9 months I now understand more what the Atonement IS. I have felt it's power and His love, and I know within my heart that He truly does live, and He stands today at the right hand of the Father. His love is real for each one of us individually, and Because He Lives ( helives.mormon.org ) each of us will live again. Death was never meant to be an ending and we will see our families again! Because He lives each one of us can feel peace when the storms outside are raging and we can feel loved when we are so alone. I have felt His Atonement in my life and I am ever grateful for it. I love my Savior and I'm so grateful for Easter season to celebrate His life! I am so so thankful for my amazing family that I love more than the world. Thank you for your love and support and I love you all!!

Sister Wilson

 a cool graffiti wall downtown

 saying goodbye to sister yellow!

 here's some more prettiness that doesn't do squat justice

 thanks for these little fun gems ;)