To Worry is Exhausting!

This week was crazy and rough. We have two areas now - Santa Teresa and Branham. At first I was so excited to be able to expand our service. Then we met with the Bishop and he had so many expectations for us that we immediately began to feel overwhelmed. We quickly realized there are a lot of time conflicts on Sunday's between the two areas. Sister Hosea and I didn't realize that we were stressed at first, but we began to show signs of it. On Tuesday, Elder Jensen and Elder Summerhays came by to drop off their phone and notes for us. I felt the impression that I needed a priesthood blessing which they were glad to be able to give me. It was supposed to be for me feeling tired and stressed, but the blessing was guided by the spirit as I was also promised comfort.

By Wednesday, the stress had caught up to us. We'd been so focused on the work that we forgot about our District meeting. We decided to call Elder Pongyan and Elder Wilcox and ask if we could meet with them. They gave advice about what to do and how to juggle the two wards. We both received Priesthood blessings that day. And because of that wonderful opportunity, we were able to get more work done afterwards. We visited people in Branham and Santa Teresa. Sister Hosea told me that even though I'm going through some trials, I'm a trooper. I'm reminded of a poem that my Dad always recites to his kids (which Great-Grandma Stringham sent to him when he was serving his mission in Nova Scotia)

It was a week of worry to be sure. My teeth and my head have been hurting because I found that I was grinding my teeth with worry (thank goodness our Bishop is a dentist), my stomach was sick, and my package from my mom was missing for three days! It is an awful feeling when a missionary doesn't receive a package that they know is coming! And here's what I learned this week about myself:  

But even with all the worry, we saw a lot of amazing things. We visited some homes, and a man named Eddie still wants to take the discussions. Another man named Joe told us that he wants to get baptized. He's been sick and it's hard for him to get around, but he wants to have a better life. We just need to get him to church. 

By the end of this rough week, both Sister Hosea and I began to feel better. Looking back on this week, it was difficult but it was also good in many ways. I know things will continue to get better. In trials like this, we really need to trust in the Lord. Trust in His timing and His will. He will help us, we just need to be patient.

“For after much tribulation come the blessings” (D&C 58:2–4).

- Always, Sister Brown