I'm sorry that I didn't write yesterday- I felt bad when I
realized that I forgot to tell you that our P-Day is on Tuesday this week! I
hope it wasn't as disappointing to wait for you guys as it was for me! The wait
was well worth it, though, as we had the chance to go to the Seattle temple
this morning- turns out, we get to go every 4 months!!
Earlier this week we had a big
zone conference meeting, as this is the last time that we will be seeing
President and Sister Wilson- their time is up on July 1st! They came to do a
little bit of teaching, as well as share their testimonies with us, and the
entire meeting was so spiritually uplifting! I'm going to miss the both of
them, which is amazing since I've only known them for 3 weeks- they just have
so much love that emanates when they speak to you! I remember when I first did
my interview with President Wilson my first day here in the field he told me
that he believes one of the main reasons that the Lord is allowing his sister
missionaries to come out is not simply to further the work in all these
different areas of the world- but to further missionary work in homes. The Lord
is preparing stronger mothers for his next wave of children that he has coming.
I could feel the spirit testify that this was true when he shared this with me!
Going to the temple today was
absolutely incredible- exactly what I needed! When I was in the Celestial room
I tried to go through people I knew both by name and by face, all individually,
that I wanted there with me and picture what it would be like for each of them
to be sitting next to me. I felt like I needed to ask Heavenly Father to please
watch over my kids, and I felt so warm when I did. Sometimes when we have
district meetings or zone conferences, I like to think that maybe my kids are
attending important meetings right now too- being trained and prepared to come
to Earth while I am being trained and prepared to be their mother.
Missionary work is hard work, and
if it weren't for experiences like this, and all the other amazing little
moments that make it all worth it, I'm not sure anyone would want to do this! I
must be crazy. :) This was a rough week. Sandra called to tell us she had to
reschedule our lesson. She also told us that she wants to meet with us one last
time, but after that she wants to discontinue the missionary lessons. It was so
heartbreaking to hear this. Sister Turley and I have been praying for her
nonstop. We fasted for her on Sunday, and we've been studying and talking to
the bishop about how to best approach this situation. What’s frustrating is
that she is so ready! Something has to have happened, and Satan is working hard
on her. Sister Turley and I have a few ideas on how we might approach our
lesson this week, but I can tell that in the end this is going to have to be
one of those lessons that is absolutely guided by the spirit. Keep her in your
prayers.
We had another investigator- a 10
yr old- fall off date because her parents don't think she is ready as well. A
number of our appointments have been falling through, and as a result we've
spent an awful lot of time tracting. While I actually enjoy tracting in some
ways- it can be so frustrating because it brings so little success. I have to
keep reminding myself that no effort is wasted. On Saturday we tracted for a
good 4 hours, and man was it a tough crowd that day. Although the highlight was
probably when a hippie, after saying no, said goodbye by saying "Namaste!
Love you guys!" After a while Sister Turley said, "There has got to
be a better way." We discussed how we could work even harder to get the
ward helping us. We actually have an amazing ward! Most of our ward is over 65,
so we have nicknamed them the "Geriatric Ward." (Is this area perfect
for me or what!?) The ward is lacking in the missionary motivation, though.
Needless to say, the missionary broadcast on Sunday was absolutely inspired.
Tell everyone you meet that they need to help the missionaries!!!! There is
nothing more frustrating then tracting fruitlessly all day, then going to a
member dinner where they tell you that they don't know anyone you can share the
gospel with, then going to bed feeling like even though you're exhausted and
you worked so hard, it was a waste of time. I look forward to hearing all of
the incredible missionary stories that come from Rye in the next week- I want
people to write me and tell me about them directly, in fact! :)
One thing that did make me feel
better is that today after the temple Sister Turley and I were talking to the
AP's, and they mentioned that President Wilson has been saying great things
about us, and is really proud. That felt awesome to hear! Our numbers
definitely aren't what is making him proud, but we must be doing something a
little bit right.
Two other quick highlights from this
week are Kelsey and Chuck. I told you about Kelsey last week I think- we said
goodbye to her last night, and she was almost in tears, telling us thank you
over and over again and how she knows that coming to Washington wasn't a
coincidence. We are sad that we don't get to keep Kelsey, but sure happy for
the missionaries in Arizona that will get to finish teaching her! We also took
pictures, but I accidentally left my camera in the car so I will try to send
them next week.
There is also a woman in our ward
named Samantha Q.- she is married to a nonmember and has two adorable little
kids. She is preparing to go to the temple, so she asked us to come and teach
her husband. We went over on Thursday. Chuck has taken discussions in the past,
but he warned us that they haven't really stuck, and teased that he was a rough
one to crack so the lessons ended a while back. Before we began the lesson
Chuck told us a little bit about his beliefs- he is an Atheist, and he is very
logical and philosophical so he explained his reasons behind this. At first
listening to Chuck made me nervous because I wasn't sure how we were ever going
to approach the lesson, but Samantha was in the corner quietly smiling the
whole time, and as he spoke I said a little prayer. I realized that one
commonality every investigator is going to have is that their Heavenly Father
loves them, and wants them to feel his spirit. I knew that the only way the
lesson was going to mean anything to him would be if he did feel the
spirit. The lesson went great- we
shared things in the moment that we hadn't planned to say, and the spirit was
very strong! It was amazing- afterwards Sister Turley and I both agreed that we
opened our mouths not having any idea what was going to come out, and just like
it says in D&C- they were filled! It is obvious that Chuck and Samantha
have so much love for each other, and I want this for them so bad!
Anyways, I think that’s about all
I'll share for now. We might have to sit down and talk for a couple weeks when
I get back from my mission- letters don't quite cut it! I just hope I remember
it all by then!
Feel free to share parts of this
letter with the rest of the family, I've been wanting to write them individual
letters but I feel bad because I always run out of time. I do love hearing from
them though, and let them know that I love them!
Love you both bunches!
Love, Sister Slade
P.S. I
forgot to mention- we invited Chuck to read the BOM, pray, and come to church
and he said no to all three. But... he surprised us all and came to sacrament
meeting on Sunday!!! My heart about leaped out of my chest I was so excited
when I saw the four of them all walk in together!
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