Faith, Farm & Fireflies

Hey hey! A realization I had this week is that even though the pandemic has altered all of our lives and caused so much heartache, an immense amount of good has come out of it as well. For example, a lot more people are turning to Christ to find refuge in their storms of life, which has provided them with peace beyond measure! Also, I wouldn't be here reassigned in Nashville, Tennessee if it weren't for covid. I never would've met all these new best friends of mine and the wonderful people we teach every week :,)) So I'm thankful for trials and how they can lead us to new paths, greater heights, and God's joyful plan for each one of us!

I finished filling up my second journal a few days ago and I'm running out of things to write in haha. Last Wednesday we had dinner with Jordan, Elder Hart, and Elder Gee at Sushi Train again this week since it's our tradition at the start of every transfer! We ended talking about eternal families and answered prayers and trials. Everyone got super emotional haha. Who knew the spirit in a sushi buffet could be so strong.

Had a lesson with Pete on Thursday morning and asked him if he would be baptized! He said he finds so much truth in this church and if he is to learn that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and resolve a few more concerns, he'll be baptized!! We had zone conference later that day and I got to see my beautiful trainer SIS POCOCK! My heart was whole. She's such a light. Elder Aidukaitis, a member of the seventy, came and spoke to us! Had a bunch of lessons later that day then went to Institute!

Friday we had a lesson with Jackson at his house in Franklin with Elder Gee and Elder Hart. He had friends over so we ended up teaching him and 2 of his buddies! He also showed us his dojo upstairs and the elders had a mini 1v1 boxing fight for their "comp inventory." Met with our friend Rodney that night and talked to him some more about the Book of Mormon!

We went to Allegra's house after that :) she's a member of our ward congregation who is literally an angel. She lives on this adorable farm that looks like it's straight out of a movie!! There was a cute little barn, farmhouse, a beautiful field and forests in the distance, and lights strung up between the trees. They have a sign up by the road with its name: By Faith Farm! We had a really great gospel discussion, then went out for a walk when it got dark. She took us to a field that was filled with hundreds of fireflies!! I felt like I was dreaming! They looked like little sparkles and flashes of light appearing and disappearing all around us. It was such a cool experience. I'm so thankful for all of God's beautiful creations.

On Saturday we had another barbecue with Anthony and Amanda and the elders! Their puppy was just as crazy this time. Elder Gee and Anthony did some boxing and the lil doggo was sprinting in circles around them and trying to get involved. She leaped at Anthony and bounced off his boxing glove at one point but it didn't even phase her haha. Did some karaoke with everyone then went back home. Good mems. Had another lesson with Pete that afternoon with our friend Seth from the ward :)

Sunday is always such a joy filled day of the week because we get to go to church and see our people! During second hour, we watched Elder Hart's parents' sacrament meeting talk on zoom from back home!! We love the Hart family. All us missionaries and Allegra made potatoes and fries together and then the ward had a potato party after church!! Had several phone lessons then did a few book of mormon drop-offs the rest of the day!

District council on Monday was fantastic and a bunch of the missionaries in our zone went to a Greek Cafe and all got gyros! Something wack- I was talking about my favorite restaurant back home and Elder Gee randomly said "Oh Gyro House right?? On that weird street name? Nob Hill right?" I was like WHAT. So apparently he's been to my hometown a bunch and his fave restaurant is also my fave. And somehow he knew the exact place and location I was talking about. Small world.

Had a pass off lesson with Elder White and Elder Bryson with a guy named Luke on Monday! Gave him a church tour and we all talked about the Book of Mormon. He said Joseph Smith is probably a liar lol. Nah fam. Later we went with the YSA elders to visit one of the girls we're teaching and they were able to give her a priesthood blessing! Then we had a lesson with Lillikoi from the ward and her sister who just got sealed in the temple! We all met in Centennial Park and taught the Plan of Salvation by the pond there. I think that was one of my favorite lessons so far in my mission! The spirit was so strong and it felt like God's love was being poured out upon each one of us.

For FHE that night we played soccer at the parthenon with the ward! Pete came and was totally in his element. Met lots of new people and invited them to join our game!

On Tuesday we had a lesson with Sim and taught the Restoration and invited her to read the Boom of Mormon! Had dinner at Andrew's that night (Pete came yet again became he loves us so much). Andrew always makes 5 star quality food and his new goal is to make us enjoy all of our least favorite foods. For example, a few of us don't like tomatoes so Andrew made a tomato pie which sounds really weird but it was the most delicious thing I've ever tasted, believe it or not. Had a fire outside and made some smores :)

One of my favorite things I studied this week was a talk called "An High Priest of Good Things to Come" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. It talks about how God promises good things to come, no matter how much we have to endure or how far away they may seem. Elder Holland says, "Don't give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead - a lot of it. Keep your chin up. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." Psalm 78:17-19 - "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

Hold onto your hope! Cling to your faith! There are good days to come. Trust in God's promises and timing. We all can look to the example of the Savior on our darkest days. He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Jesus walked a more difficult path than any of us ever will. But His hope was unfailing. He fixed His eyes on the future and His Father's will. He invites everyone to "be of good cheer." He provides us with peace. John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." I testify that we can be hopeful through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Miracles will come for those who have faith and rely on the strength that comes from the Savior. He is our refuge. He is our friend.

Love yall! Give yourself a huge hug for me!!

<3 hc

- p day last week w/ the zone!

- cardin <3

- fhe @ the Parthenon

- hat gang

- sis pocock :)))

- when you're just not tall enough for the drinking fountain

- bff abbey <3

- bluuuuuuue

- sushi train

- still obsessed with the ceiling camera