"If I gotta take a break I will, but I'm gonna run right up this hill"

This is a long one...

I'm not gonna lie, this has probably been one of the longest weeks of my mission. Life in the white wash is STRESSFUL (remember white wash = when 2 missionaries are BOTH brand new to the area). You know me, I like to keep it real. I'm not about just pretending like everything is ok and full of sunshine all the time on the mission. Don't get me wrong, this is 100% the place I need to be right now and there is so much joy in sharing the gospel with others, but as my mom told me the other night, life is always going to be 50/50. It's just the life of a mortal. BUT. Even when it's uncomfortable and overwhelming, God gives you little tender mercies to remind you He is still there!

Leaving the Sage Ward was honestly so sad. It blows my mind how much I came to love that area and the people. They became my family. It felt so weird to have to be leaving them already. On Tuesday I had my last lesson with Kathy, one of my favorite people. Kathy was really the first person we taught that I connected with. It was my first in-person lesson and really the first time I felt like everything just clicked and the spirit was telling me everything to say in the lesson. When I first got to the area, Kathy had missed her baptism date and wouldn't answer the missionaries' calls. Now she has been to church consistently for two months, is on date to be baptized in a month, and signs up to feed the missionaries! She is a superstar. At the end of the lesson, I told her how proud I was of her (of course having to cut it short due to my "leaky tear ducts") and that I wasn't going to be giving up on her, that in 2 years I'm gonna be knocking on her door to make sure she got baptized. Because she is so ready. I told her I felt such a strong connection with her, and she said she felt the same. She also said she liked how I wore pants all the time haha. When I left, she said she would miss my encouragement and inspiration. Well guess what Kathy?!?! I ain't going anywhere! Hopefully I can go back for her baptism!

It was so sweet because before I left, I got to have my last dinner in the Sage Ward with the Williams'. It was the perfect way to end my time there. And of course it included gluten free pizza and one of Sister Williams' famous salads. Which are my FAVORITE. We took such a cute picture together. When we said goodbye, Sister Williams gave me the biggest, sweetest hug, and got a little teary eyed, saying she would miss me. Sister Williams likes to put on a tough exterior, but let me tell you, that woman is a softy in the best way possible. We cried around the dinner table many times together. Those two are angels, and were the best mission grandparents ever.

We didn't get to pick up my new comp, Hermana Babcock, until like 9:30 Wednesday night lol. We were so dead. By the time we got home and were in bed, it was pretty close to midnight. And she had just done the El Paso drive so she was pretty dead too. But she's very cute! We are still getting to know each other and its just a weird transition time, but I'm sure we will become bffs. Hopefully haha. She loves to work out though... I guess Heavenly Father wanted both me and Sister Clayton to work out harder because we both got super active comps. I'm gonna miss my Wendy's runs with Sister Clayton, but my missionary budget probably won't. Hermana Babcock all about the healthy food.

The past few days have been a complete whirlwind and I have no idea what all has happened. We are just trying to keep this area above ground and do our best to get to know people. And trying not to freeze. Lol funny story, we didn't have hot water for our first 3 nights. Which means I spent three nights in the shower hyperventilating/crying from hypothermia. Dramatic? Yes. But good news is we got it all figured out and I got to spend a nice 30 minutes in a hot shower Saturday night.

BUT. On to the tender mercies because being positive is a lot more fun. So weirdest coincidence ever, but last week before I knew I would be transferred here, I found out my cousin-in-law Kevin (def not a thing but I understand it so I think y'all will) has family in the Los Lunas ward. (Kevin is married to my cousin Lexi). Anyway, his grandparents, Brother and Sister Payne; aunt and uncle, Brother and Sister Smith; and another aunt, Sarah, all live here. AND THEY ARE AMAZING. Then I found out I was coming to this ward and I was like, "ok this was meant to be." They have already been taking such great care of us. My first two meals here were with them. Brother Payne was a mission president in Spain and let me tell you, once you become a mission president, you are a mission president for life. After dinner when we shared a message with them, I read a scripture from Alma 9 about being bold missionaries and how we need to be testifying of Jesus Christ always. After I said my piece, he said "that's a great scripture, now turn to Alma 26." Then he went on to teach US for 20 minutes. That is TOTALLY something President Weathersby would do. And what he shared with us was so profound. The Paynes just had such great stories and advice to share with us.

2nd tender mercy of the week. On Friday after zone council, all the sisters went to Panda Express. Well, we walk in and this guy sees us and is like "oh is this your district? Hold on. I'm going to pay for all your food." Well come to find out, he is in the Los Lunas Ward! It was such a great reminder that God knows exactly where I am and what I need. I think I'm really gonna come to love this ward. They are so sweet. It may take time to adjust, but I feel watched over.

And now the 3rd tender mercy. We were literally given a gold person. His name is Clint and he has been SO prepared by the Lord to accept the gospel. He legit started living the word of wisdom by himself before he even knew what it was. He just felt like he needed to give up certain things. The sisters met him a month ago while walking around their apartment complex and he has been to church every week since. He is reading the Book of Mormon (in the book of Jacob right now), and is getting baptized on June 19th. WHAT THE HECK?! It is so amazing to witness someone coming home, and knowing it is home. I can just feel how converted to Christ he is and how ready he is to take this next step to baptism. The spirit has been so strong in the two lessons we have had with him so far. But that means we get to plan a baptism, which I've never done before so that should be an adventure, haha. Our ward mission leader is so cool, so I'm sure he will help us out a ton.

Anyway, this is a hill for sure. It is a completely new challenge and I'm trying my best to just be patient and give myself some grace. But that is easier said than done. But, I know that we can always rely on Christ through our challenges, and it is all in the Lord's hands. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, just remember, He knows what you are going through and he sees your efforts even if you don't think you are doing everything perfectly. He just expects us to try and to love. He can take care of the rest and He will work his miracles in His own time.

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister Wallace

ps - letters can be sent to this address:

450 Los Cerritos apt. 121

Los Lunas, NM 87031

Packages with my full name (there's another Sister Wallace in the mish) can go to:

4400 Presidential Drive NE, Suite E

Albuquerque, NM 87109

This week's pics!

1. Fully vaccinated baby

2. Learned how to make tamales with the Rayas!

3. Lol crying from stress and so of course, Clayton took a pic of my legs

4. I MISS HER

5. My favorite people. Love my Williams' Wednesdays.

6. The Paynes and my new comp, Hermana Babcock!!!