And now I have been in the field for 2 weeks. I think. I never sent this email out, but here it is with a continuation of the past 2 weeks:
Sis. Lee is my trainer!! We're in Culver City and we're "white washing" which I'm not entirely sure what that means still, but I think it means that all the missionaries in that area are new. It's a little hard, but definitely spirit led because you know nothing about everything. We're in an English area but it's so funny because this is the most Mandarin I've spoken since I've been on a mission. Sis. Lee is from Taiwan and so all we speak is Mandarin!
Here's what they do tell you about a mission: You'll meet people that are prepared to hear the word.
Here's what I believed: there is no way that's possible that you can have so many experiences like that.
Here's how it is: out of the 20 or so people you talk to that day, there is 1 of those experiences. Sometimes not even one. But it is so worth it.
To my MTC teachers who made me practice finding at parks. That was SO AWKWARD the first time we practiced that. Guess what? I still have sooo many awkward experiences, but so what? You'll never know until you try. And for my MTC district and the ones who rejected me during our "finding activities" thank you. Better to practice being rejected before you are. And then lastly, to all the people who have told me that it's worth it. You're right. It is. Sometimes you can be bored, stressed, awkward (or in my case, SUPER AWKWARD), while you talk to people, but oh man it is so fun and definitely worth all your efforts when you find that one person searching for truth.
Here is just one of many park stories. Okay maybe 2 if I have time.
(Bro. Sy and Sis. Hickman, I thank you. I wouldn't be able to have these experiences without the 2 of you teaching me how to start conversations about the gospel)
1. We met a guy at a park and talked about life and all the good stuff. THEN we start talking about the Plan of Salvation. It was golden. He was so interested and had some things going on in his life that lined up with the Plan of Salvation. We ended up giving him a pamphlet and gah it was so awesome.
2. This girl at the same park was sitting down with 2 dogs. We started a conversation and she said she was waiting for a friend, so we just asked if we could sit and talk with her while she waited. We started talking about the gospel and she said her mom had actually met with missionaries 10 years back. Then life goes on, she went through some really rough times, and she was looking to get her life on track. She said that she had a Book of Mormon before but now she doesn't have it anymore and she's found it in Spanish, but not English. Me and Sis. Lee were like, we have it in English, would you like a copy? And she was so excited and said she would start reading it again!!
I have so many "park stories" or I should really call them "park miracles" that I wish I had time to tell, but last couple of things.
-went in exchanges with our STLs and it was awesome
-me and Sis. Lee have cooked a meal
Last thing, pray for people. And when you say you will, actually do it. And then actual last thing. There are many people in this world that have burdens that you can help lift. I know so many times we are so busy with everything that we need because it's busy! The holidays, with family, school, work, one rarely has time to balance them all. But as I've seen these "park miracles," I realize that some people just need someone, even if just for a second. So talk to everyone. And if you can be that person for someone else, I know that you both you and that person will be lifted up.
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