Sister Neel 9/13/21

 

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!!

I came across this quote the other day: "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." 

If any of yall know Wake Forest then you'll know it's one of the hardest areas in the mission. When we first arrived our area book was empty, the elders left us with one guy and they had built no relationship with the ward. We started from scratch. Ground zero. Getting bashed became more regular since the Baptist seminary campus is literally down the street. Us missionaries are a daily target and we were warned by the ward there would be deconverters who would seek us out and try to shake our testimony and relationship as a companionship. 

Was I frustrated? Ya just a little bit XD. I received a difficult companion and knew our great responsibility of white washing would land solely on my shoulders. I wanted to come into an area already popping off rather than doing the nitty gritty work to get it to that point. I just didn't realize that God was rebuilding  and shaping me the entire way. I now look back at these 11 weeks and am amazed at how far we've come. Was it easy? I'll be the first to say HECK NO! Trying to build a companionship while building an area is crazy haha. 

There are things I've had to experience that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. It was rocky and caused me at times to feel utterly helpless and alone. I relied on my Savior more than ever to love her and look past her difficult choices and have the stamina to keep moving forward. Somehow. Some way. We made it here XD. I look back and see that through the refiners fire I went through, I came out with the qualities and traits I lacked. I had a better understanding of charity and a firm reliance on my Savior. Our companionship grew and over time we learned to work in unity. We relied on the Holy Ghost to lead us to those who are ready. And boy did he do that! You would walk into Wake Forest now and never question it was a hard area. We have been blessed with such an amazing teaching pool, souls who crave what the gospel brings. I was shown that God can work the impossible. He can make small and simple things become GREAT. I personally am proof of it. My companionship and I are proof. This area is proof. Though we may walk through hills and valleys in life, we are never alone. Christ helps us climb to the top of that mountain and believe me. The view is beautiful:))

☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆

Now for the funnies of the week: 

• We had a lesson with Felipe over the phone on our way home and finished it out in the parking lot due to a massive thunderstorm that hit. I was trying to recite the first vision but the thunder kept booming every other second and it was so loud out ear drums were ringing. It ended up being hilarious cause Felipe only got bits and parts of it and we couldn't stop laughing over the crazy timing of the thunder XD 

•we were waiting at Fire Stone for our car's oil to be changed and we're talking to this old man in the lobby and he looks at me and goes, "You're from Utah huh. All the pretty women are from there." BAHAHA so cringe 

• Sister Stoddard opened someone's screen door and took off the handle in the process so when the people answered the door there she was holding their door handle XD 

•we went to a relief society brunch hosted at Sister Reese's house and she walks up to us and goes "if you don't leave 10 pounds heavier than you ain't doing nothin right." XD 

•we visited a new family that moved into the ward and apparently their cat is terrified of people but she jumped up next to me and wanted to sit on my lap. Brother Jorgensen goes, "she senses good spirits and you must have one." XD

• We had a lesson with a guy named Steve over the phone at a park. We didn't time this too well and it became pitch black outside...we were in the middle of a forest. I am terrified of the dark and we used our phone flashlights to run the 15 minute walk back to the car. There were so many frogs on the ground it became an obstacle course to jump over them XD we were scared they shut the parks gates but thankfully for some odd reason the park rangers left them open and didn't give us a ticket HAHA

All in all it was a great and busy week! We found 7 new people which was awesome and on Friday we had 8 lessons! Our people are doing great! Slowly but surely progressing and keeping commitments. Lots of good things happened! We're excited to live up this last one :') 

I love you all!! 

♡♡♡

Sister Neel