Sister Neel 8/23/21

 

What's up everyone??

Crazy how fast P day rolls around again! In the few short days since I last updated y'all, SO much has happened!

On Thursday, we were out doing visits to some of the people who hadn't been taught in years and no one seemed to be home. Sister Stoddard and I had the prompting to look at area book maps and see who lived close by that we could go and visit. Turns out Sam lived right around the corner! It's been three weeks since we've met with him due to how busy work is but he still reads the Book of Mormon and prays every night which is good! We happened to catch him at home which was AMAZING!!! We had a mini lesson on the spot and then the following day we met up again to teach him how to pray. We promised as he prayed in this way, God would help answer his prayers regarding the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. He's so solid and his testimony is one of a kind. 

We found out that Anson moved out of our mission so we can't teach him anymore...but we have missionaries going over tomorrow to keep teaching him lessons which is good! Our teaching pool is thriving!! So many amazing people live in Wake Forest and I feel so blessed to know them. Keep Jeddy, Brenda, Glen, Rose, Matt, Luis, Q, Kelly and James in your prayers as they progress!! 

Ok now for the funny stories that happened this week. On Wednesday we went over to the Hendersons house for dinner. They have the cutest little kids that absolutely adore missionaries! They'll jump on our backs, grab our hands and lead us around the house, show us all their toys and fight over who gets to sit next to us at the dinner table. Just a classic member family am I right? XD. As the night is ending and we're heading out the door, their four year old daughter Grace comes running down the hallway and yells, "Don't forget to bring your kids next time!!!" Everyone busted up laughing and when I told her I didn't have any kids yet she was like, "But you have to, you look like a mom." Well...got that goin for me XD.

And lastly on Thursday Sister Stoddard and I decided to go clean out our car at a car wash in Raleigh. You know those powerful vacuums that suck up all the crumbs? Ya well I was vacuuming the floor when I sneezed and jolted the vacuum which then succtioned up the bottom of my dress. I couldn't get it untangled from the vacuum and I couldn't move either or else I would flash everyone behind me XD. Sister Stoddard was dying but thankfully I got it out before it ate it all up. Man, that was the scariest thing of my life XD. 

We had district council on Friday this week since the schedule was messed up due to the mission tour and it was really fun! Turns out my DL lived in my stake in Nebraska and we ran around with the same crowd. Crazy we're both here now haha! Our training consisted of a discussion of how to strengthen our faith. I was able to share about last Monday when my three comps and I got bashed while on a mini exchange. We felt prompted to approach this lady in Target but she went off about how we were fallen preachers and our "mormon bible" was a disgrace. No matter how many times we tried to testify or help her understand she just bashed harder. We went back to the mission office to get our comps after MLC was over and were pretty defeated. We ran into Sister Snow who is one of the senior missionary couples and when we told her what went down, she said everything we needed to hear. She said, "Sisters, sometimes the Lord will test our faith to see how obedient we will be to his promptings. You following through with what you felt and talking to that lady didn't contradict anything. You just proved that you were willing to obey. Sometimes the Lord tests our faith to make sure that in times of need where He'll need us to be directly obedient and follow through with exactness, we will do so perfectly. And your faith did just that." I love that! No prompting is gone to waste. Obedience is what the Lord asks for us and miracles will come of it. I want to be someone the Lord can always depend on and like Nephi..."I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Our week ended a little rough. Turns out Sister Stoddard and I were exposed to covid while doing member visits. One family had been sick that entire week, didn't bother letting us know and had us come over anyways. The next day they went and got tested only to find out their results came back positive which then had exposed Sister Stoddard and I. That was pretty frustrating...there's way too much to be done than be in another 7 day quarantine after just BARELY coming out of one. President called us at that moment and let us know we needed to go on an emergency exchange with some sisters in our district. I was to go to their area and stay with one of the sisters who was struggling while Sister Stoddard took her comp and went back to our area. He let me know this exchange was going to last until this Friday and we weren't to do any missionary work. We were to sleep in, relax, we could talk to family and friends whenever we wanted and just take it easy for my new comps sake. It's been an interesting week for sure to have it so laid back but it's been amazing as well! It's interesting how the Lord's timing works out. At this moment, when this sister in our district needed some down time, I then got exposed to covid and after already exposing our entire district at district council, President still lets me come here and quarantine with her while she rests. That way both of our comps don't have to stop missionary work and can go kick butt this week. The Lord's timing is too good!! I'm excited to party it up with her this week and help her feel better. Just pray I continue to stay healthy this week haha! 

I love being a missionary. I love serving the Lord. And although these past few weeks have been difficult and challenging, I still feel happy and upbeat. In life, things don't always go our way. But it's our reaction and response that helps us keep moving forward with faith. My mission has taught me this lesson over and over again. So being quarantined for the second week in a row? Easy. Bring it. Sister Porter and I are going to live our best lives and enjoy ourselves because life is still OH SO GOOD.:)) Decisions determine destiny.

I love you all!!

♡♡♡

Sister Neel

P.S. My p day will be moved to Tuesday next week because we are going TO THE TEMPLE!!!!! WAHOO!!!! Just wanted to give y'all a heads up :))