Tuesday Jan. 28, 2020

We've been going on a lot of exchanges kay it's the end of the transfer and we hadnt done any exchanges yet hahaha. Well the last two we've done were with the Elders in Lawaan and Linao. So I got the chance to work with Elder Swain (my follow-up trainee) again on exchanges in Lawaan and Elder Dutson (My brother on the mission) in Linao. 

Those two days of work were probably my favorite days of work this entire transfer. I don't really know what happened but we just really got to work and saw miracles happen. Elder Swain and I got 5 lessons in on one day which doesnt seem like a ton but that's the most lessons their area has seen in one day for a VERY long time. Elder Dutson and I had 6 lessons on a Monday meaning we only worked a half day (because of district council) and still got in that many lessons plus a whole bunch of testifying contacts. 

There was a bunch of other cool things that happened, but I don't want to go on a long rant about it all. But ya it was just nice to really feel like I was giving it my all with these Elders. I always strive my best to be a good example to the Elders I go on exchanges with and try to help them learn as much as I have to offer, but I always feel like I take more out from the experience than they do. It's kinda hard to explain how I've been feeling this transfer, all the different kinds of trials and blessings that have come and gone, but I don't know it kinda has somehow been good. I've had some really low times this transfer, but I got out of them. I found peace and joy in many different ways. Often times it felt like a day by day battle (sometimes even hour by hour), but I must say it's all just made me realize I'm stronger than I thought I was.

My biggest worry coming to the end of my mission is that I would lose that fire and not give it my all. I've come to recognize in myself that that fire is still burning strong. Though rains by strive to douse it as winds beat upon it, I've come to learn just how much stronger we can become in affliction. I've come to love reading the words of Paul. They seem to really connect with me (probably even more so as a missionary) Something he said in one of his letters to the Corinthians really connected with me...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I think often times we go through hard things in life and we understand that somehow in someway it's suppose to eventually make us stronger and better. That's not really how Paul describes it though. He talks about glorifying god IN his infirmites, or taking pleasure IN his reproaches, persecutions, and distresses. Almost even saying that it's not until that very moment that we're at our weakest, when all seems lost, when there no longer seems to be any strength left in us at all that we are then actually at our strongest.

I've been praying a lot lately that God would give me the strength to give it my all these last few months. It's been a long time coming but at the same time it feels like I dont have enough time left. Well with everything that I've gone through, I think he's given me just that; enough time and more than enough strength to do all that he's sent me here to do.

After all, "...I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in [me]." Romans 8:18

I know I am doing God's work and I don't want to be doing anything else. Nothing could make me change how I feel about that. I love what I do.

Love ya,
Elder Shirley

Tuesday Jan. 21, 2020- Temple Trip

Aight so we have a temple trip today so this email is probably gonna be pretty short.

This last week we were finally able to work in our area more which was such a blessing. One of the cool things that happened in our work was that we got in touch with a guy from the UK that now lives in Australia. It's kind of a long story but in short, he's been struggling and looking for help in his life. Thanks to the efforts of some members telling him how the gospel and the church changed their lives, he had been looking for a chance to meet someone, anyone who could do the same for him. Well through some crazy luck chance or I'd even say by the hand of God, he ended up at an FHE with a bishop, relief society president, elders quorom president, stake high councilor, and 4 missionaries. He opened up to all of us and asked us for the help he so desperately wants and needs. He has already gone back to Australia, but he doesnt have a permenate address there yet. I got his contact information and I'm gonna help him get in contact with the missionaries there as soon as I can. He was one of the humblest people I've ever seen. Someone who felt like they've reached their lowest and had no where to go. I was happy to be able to testify to him of how much the gospel can change lives and how the church provides a community of support. No matter what we go through in life, we can receive the support we need through God and his church. God truly does love us. He watches over us. He knows what we're going through and he knows what these trials, tribulations, and experiences will help shape us into.

I just wanna end by leaving this scripture...

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35,37-39

Love ya!
Elder Shirley