"I am the resurrection and the life"

What even happened this week?! I honestly have no clue so this might be an interesting email haha. The last week of the transfer always seems to drag because you are anticipating the end but its not the end yet. So this was the slowest week ever. But overall, this transfer flewwww by. I can't believe how fast time goes. On Saturday I hit 5 months, which is wild. I'm starting to feel a little less like a baby missionary, but am at a weird place where I still feel like I'm adjusting. But life is good.

We had tons of rain this week, which was super fun. It cooled everything off for a couple days, but also messed with the humidity. My curls flattened in like one day, so disappointing, especially when it takes you an hour to do it. Wow basically so little happened this week that I've resorted to talking about my hair.

Let's talk food instead. Wednesday night we had the yummiest creation. I can't believe I didn't think to try before. Zucchini boat tacos! So good. We bought some zucchini squash today so we could recreate them for lunches haha. Food this week was interesting because everyone and their mother was out of town. So we didn't have dinners for three nights, which resulted in me getting Panda Express and Applebees... yeah that really displays that I live in a "cow town" as Trinity calls it. But hey, when you get gift cards, you use 'em.

Our friend Noe made us some walking sticks, which was awesome. He's also painting us portraits so stay tuned for that! I'm super pumped. As for other lessons, we had a super sweet and spirit-filled restoration lesson with the cutest little girl. I was so impressed with how attentive and susceptible to the spirit she was. Honestly I think its the first time I've taught the restoration where it felt so natural and guided. It helped that it was in person. Phone call lessons work, but they aren't the same.

We did service this week for Brother Senior, who I LOVE. I think I might have talked about him my first week here, but he rocks. Basically, he's a cowboy, always wearing a hat and jeans, calling himself a "jack mormon." Haha. He makes me happy. According to him, "he trades with the Indians." He has all sorts of Native American jewelry. Every time we go to his house, he gives us so much stuff. We went and pulled weeds with him on Saturday and he was so humble and grateful. He gave us so much as we left and we told him it was too much. But he then told us that nothing in the whole world would get him to do what we do. He said he admired us so much and just wants to give back. It was really sweet. Moments like that make all the rejection and ungratefulness worth it.

This week's title comes from the Lamb of God soundtrack (and of course, the New Testament). I've had it on repeat every single morning this week. It brings such a great spirit and memories of the wonderful experience I had performing this powerful music with the Zion's Youth Symphony and Chorus in Las Vegas in March 2020 right before everything started closing because of covid. The music just really helps me get going on days when I don't think I can do it. Somehow, I always do it though. It's amazing the strength God can give us when we just ask Him for it. But listening to this soundtrack now brings even more meaning to me as I've been studying the New Testament for the past 3 months. I finally just finished Luke today. I love reading the different accounts of Christ's life, and seeing what I can learn from each.

When Christ was being taken away as Judas betrayed him, Peter took a sword to one of the servants of the high priests. Well, because I have never been good at my scripture reading until my mission, I learned from Luke that Christ actually healed the servant after. He healed him! The person who was going to take him to his death, who was among people who would mock, and taunt, and spit upon him. He healed him. Now of course, how could that be surprising to me, because Christ loves everyone. But what surprised me even more was that even after these people watched Christ HEAL, they wouldn't open their minds and know he is the Son of God.

How often are we like these people? It may not be to this extreme, but how often does God show us over and over and over again that he is real and that Christ is real, yet we still don't pay attention. I've really been thinking a lot about how we just can't be casual in spiritual matters or worship, no matter what religion we are. If we are too casual, we miss out on beautiful opportunities to be touched by the spirit. If we aren't careful about the way we approach our most important relationships (with God and Jesus Christ), they are going to diminish. We won't be perfect at it, because it's not possible, but we can at least try. On my mission my testimony that God truly loves effort has grown so much. Because so much of what we do depends on the agency of others, sometimes goals aren't met. Even when you try your hardest, because of the choices of others, goal may not be met, and that's ok! But I encourage each of you, whatever your religious beliefs are, to just study and ponder and grow.

I've also pondered a lot this week on the words Christ spoke, according to Luke, as he bore the sins of the world. "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." As I read this, I realized these words are probably the most powerful the Savior ever uttered. In those few words, we learn that Jesus Christ loves God and loves us enough to feel unbearable pain. To "sweat as it were great drops of blood." He willingly did this. He trusted and loved Heavenly Father enough to accomplish His will, because He loves us. The Savior did this alone so that we wouldn't have to do it alone. He died so we can live again! I'm so grateful for his sacrifice. Knowing He was willing to make that ultimate sacrifice, just for me, inspires me to work even harder. If He could make that sacrifice, I can make this tiny sacrifice on my mission. And the funny thing is, the Lord will bless me (and already has) so much that by the end I don't think I will see it as a sacrifice.

I love my Savior and am excited to get to know him even more each and everyday as I strive to place Him at the center of my life.

I love you all, and hope everyone is having a happy summer!

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister wallace

1. Walking after a raining morning!!

2. Lol more avocados from Trinity and Betty Jo... I'm sure tomorrow I will get another

3. Noe!!!

4. My rad walking stick made by Noe