Emotional Roller Coasters

Mission life is so full of emotional roller coasters.  You get so attached to an investigator, you pray for them, you fast for them, you think of them all the time - of what they need and how you can help them.  And then when they choose another path, it is truly devastating.  I come to see them just as Heavenly Father does, a precious child of God.  So that was pretty sad this week when an investigator I have come to love chose to go another way.  I think there are some family issues, but still I feel sad. I understand how a parent must feel about a wayward child or even how our Heavenly Father must feel when we make mistakes and choose to go off of the path we know to be right.  I have faith that if she is ready The Lord WILL help prepare a way for her. So I will just have to hold on to that faith. 

Other than that, not much else has happened.  We had interviews with the mission president this week and those went really well.  It always feel so good when the Mission President tells you he is proud of you.  So, while our zone was waiting for interviews we were getting taught and receiving instruction from the AP's.  At one part they handed out a quiz, multiple choice, T/F and fill in the blank all about the white handbook (or book containing all of the missionary rules).  Well we all took the quiz, then passed our paper next to us to grade each other's and I was the only one in the zone who made 100%!  It was awesome!  And one of the AP's came up to me after during break and was like 'thanks for working so hard, and striving to be obedient, you're a great missionary and it shows'.  It was so nice!

I've also become really interested in Family History lately, I've used our email and mormon.org time a couple times a month to go on family search it has been so interesting.  I just love it!  When I get home I really want to make it a goal to do indexing and other things like that.  I also want to sit down with grandparents and hear all the stories first hand of them and their ancestors.  I just find it so fascinating and have this drive and desire to learn.  I think I really have caught that spirit of Elijah. 

 

I am learning so much. This week I have really been studying priesthood authority.  I most recently learned that not only was Jesus baptized to be an example but He himself was baptized by proper authority as John was a descendant of Aaron, both parents being of priestly descent.  His father a priest and his mother a "descendant of Aaron's daughters" (Luke 1:5). Every day my testimony is strengthened as I study the scriptures that this IS the exact SAME church that Christ set up while He was on the earth, that God directed Adam to set up, that Moses taught the Israelites.  Its the same.  God designed one church not 1,000, and I keep learning more and more how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that church.

Not too much else is going on here, its been a good week.  Ups and downs and all around, but at the end of the day I know I am doing my best and trying my hardest on the Lord's errand.

 

So this weekend I get to go back to Whidbey for "I"s baptism, and she also asked me to be one of the speakers.  SO EXCITED :)

I also found out I'm slightly lactose intolerant.  hah!  So now I'm on lactose-free milk, but it tastes the same as regular milk.  So funny...I always picked skim because it tasted more watery and didn't make my stomach hurt, but ice cream and milk always makes my stomach hurt so it's good to know the problem. Lol

 

Thanks for all the love and support.

Love 

Sister Wawro

 

PICTURES:

 

We were walking and we saw a house with dead grass I was like "ahh home!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  haha!  It reminded me of Texas.  It was funny!

We went to a ward service project this week and stained some wood cabins, really fun!

Easter Week

Well, we are finally starting to see some miracles and blessings from our diligent efforts to find.

First, we found "R" tracting, we taught her 'The Restoration' this week.  It was awesome because after we did she was like "wait, hold on, I'm sorry you've already said some things I have no idea about...atonement, repentance...I have no religious background, I'm so embarrassed but you are going to have to help me."  It was so sweet!  She is a fresh clean slate, I love it, no religious background at all, we just get to work up from ground zero with her.  We had an amazing first lesson, she said the closing prayer, first time she has ever prayed period, and she accepted the invitation to be baptized.  It was such a miracle lesson.  She is a young mom that wants her two girls to grow up with a religious foundation and "we came at just the right time in her life."  What a blessing and a miracle.  I am so excited to work with her.

Then we met with "R" who has been investigating since October.  We just had a 'Define the Relationship' lesson, asked him what he wants, does he want to baptized, and what steps to help get him there.  The spirit was so strong in our lesson and I felt the spirit so strongly especially as I bore testimony of Joseph Smith, of The Book of Mormon, of the Priesthood power and authority here on earth, and the blessings that await him as he follows Jesus Christ and puts Him first in his life.  Then on Sunday for the first time, he stayed for church, not just Sacrament, he came to class and had great answers to questions.  He is finally reading the book of Mormon, coming to church, and progressing in the gospel.  What a week of miracles.

I am doing so much better.  This is exactly the fire I needed in my missionary efforts.  I love to teach!  My favorite part about missionary work is getting the opportunity to boldly testify of the things I know to be true.  There is no better feeling in the world.

This week I have really been studying prayer.  I am reading so many wonderful stories like Exodus 17, Moses and the people of Israel needing water.  Moses prays and asks "What shall I do?" While the Lord answers him and provides him with the knowledge of the rock and rod to bring forth water. Or 1 Nephi 16 when Nephi breaks his bow, he builds a new one and then asks "Where shall I go?" As the Lord directs him to follow the Liahona where he is lead to food to provide for his family.  I want to apply these into my own prayers instead of asking for all these things that I need.  To pray how I can help others, ask as Nephi did "Where shall I go today Lord, who needs the gospel, how can I find them?" And then to ask as Moses "What shall I do, what shall I testify to them of?"  Just as the primary song says "Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way"  I want to give all I have to Him and allow Him to direct me where I should go.

Easter Sunday was wonderful.  The talks were just spot-on and powerful as each speaker testified of the Savior.  It was a beautiful service, and I got to sing in the choir which brought the spirit to me and many others as well.  And so many sweet people at church gave us Easter baskets and candy and all this really sweet stuff.  This is truly a special place and I really do love Lake Stevens and the people here.

Thank you for all the love and support!

Love
Sister Wawro

PICTURES:

So we had a nail night during our down-time before bed, but since we had no time for them to dry before we went to bed we had to use the blow dryer...so fun!

"Got to see my name!"

Easter pictures before church with all four sisters living in the same house 

(Sis. Adams, Sis. Arave, Sister Yeager, Sister Wawro)

Even some silly ones!  

Yes - missionaries like to have fun.  LOL!  

All pictures taken in their gorgeous backyard.

Mt. Vernon Tulip Festival

Well, today marks the 8-month mark since I have been out.  Sometimes it truly feels so slow, especially when the work is hard, but it's also flown by when I get lost in the work and just focus on everything and everyone else but me.  That is what I have been really focusing on lately.  I am doing a lot better this week.  It has still been stressful, but its definitely getting better. I went on exchanges with Sister Tuttle (our Sister Trainer Leader) and it was exactly what I needed.  She is so hard working and she wants to do what's right, and it just reminded me how joyful missionary work is.  I LOVE to be a missionary and with these past couple weeks, I've kind of forgotten the joy that comes from doing the work.  So this week with Sister Adams, I am really going to focus on working as hard as Sister Tuttle and I did, because that really is what brings happiness. At the end of the day when I know I did all I could, when I know I talked to everyone I could, when I invited people to the gospel and I saw miracles, that is what brings pure joy as talked about in D&C 18.

We tract and contact like...all day.  We meet so many people that tell us when we can come back, but then when we come back they aren't there, or they call/text us before and cancel saying they are not interested.  It's been a little hard finding solid people to teach but I know through diligence, the Lord will surely bless us.  I realllllly love talking to people.  Isn't that interesting?  A weakness that turned into a strength, just as in Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I  give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. "

I could never have just walked up to a random person and talked with them, let alone about religion!  But I love the gospel and I love my Savior, and I have the drive and desire to share that with everyone.  What a blessing.

I love the gospel, I love missionary work.  This is the best thing that I have ever done.

Love
Sister Wawro

PICTURES:

Tulip Festival of Mt. Vernon - it is pretty awesome!!!

 

First Full Week in Lake Stevens!

Well this week was definitely better!  We found a few new possible investigators, which is nice because I'm getting so burnt out tracting. Lol!  It's like door after door after door.  But I have had some funny experiences, ok well - awkward ones.  Like, at this one house Sister Adams was like, "Oh wow, this lady has a cool mural on her wall" and I was like, "Oh I want to see!"  SO I'm looking through the window and just then the lady walks right by the window inside the house, all creeped-out, and needless to say, she never came to the door.  But there were only a few door-slams this week, so that was nice - there wasn't too much anger.  Lol!  You really build tough skin on a mission!

One girl we met is a new mom and her husband was just deported.  So she told us she was open to learning and listening to what we have to say.  Another similar situation with a couple others like that.  We tracted a military housing unit so that was really cool.  Found a few potential people that we will try and go back to.

General Conference was just amazing.  I really needed it.  I had many answers to prayers that were just exactly what I needed.   I was praying so hard the night before and pouring out my hardships and struggles and concerns and was just like, "why am I leaving my family and sacrificing so much and we have no one to teach?  No investigators, we tract all day,  I'm just burnt out, slammed doors and rude people and no one listening, and then in conference the first speaker, Elder Holland, says (I feel like DIRECTLY to me) "To those missionaries out there who are tirelessly and effortlessly working and wondering if this is worth is.  YES IT IS.  The result if not is:  desolate.  Desolate houses, desolate familes, desolate nations. " He was speaking just to me.  The Lord ALWAYS hears and answers our prayers.  He is aware of us.  He knows us and loves us. 

This has been the hardest transfer ever to be away from home.  But I've probably grown the most too, so just like they said over and over in conference, trials are blessings, mishaps bring us closer to God, and it's "the load" as Elder Bednar talks about, that helps us get back home.  I'm trying to find joy in my trials so that has been a good perspective.  I also loved L. Tom Perry, talking about faith and obedience brings blessings!  I JUST kept thinking of dad and his focus in seminary!!!!

I joined the ward choir and I LOVE it.  There are only a few of us, but it reminds me of home.  Also, there is a lady in the ward that looks just like Aunt Wanda!  Same hair and face, same height and she even has the same sweet voice!  So it was kinda like "aww man, I miss home" but then also kinda nice, feeling like I am home!

Not much else has happened.  It was a good week.  Today for p-day we are going to Mt. Vernon for the huge tulip and daffodil festival!  So that will be really fun! 

I know the Lord will continue to help and bless our area.  Thanks for all the love and support!

Love
Sister Wawro

PICTURES:

Here's our house, when you first walk in the door:

 

Another view from the kitchen, and then the kitchen itself:

Stairs going up (and you've already seen my room, but here it is again):

 

(From Mom/Janene:  This is my good friend, Julie, who lives near where Carina is serving.  After she was transferred, I found out she wasn't far and asked if she wouldn't mind dropping off a little 'love from home', to welcome her to her new area.  It was fun seeing two worlds I love 'collide', and two beautiful women!  Thank you, Julie, for your kindess, time, and thoughtful efforts!!!  I just love this picture!)