"Jesus, the very thought of thee"

Two weeks in the field. I also hit my one month mark of the mission, so that’s crazy. Only 17 more to go! I think I have asked too many people if there missions have gone by fast… they probably think i’m miserable. But, I’m really not! I’m getting more settled and feeling a lot more joyful moments in the day, which is a true blessing.

I have been praying more than I ever have before, and actually getting answers and finding relief. Before my mission, I would testify that I know God answers prayers, but looking back I honestly don’t think I truly knew that was true until about a week ago. As I have prayed for relief from homesickness, more energy, and motivation, I have seen answers and been given revelation for how to best approach my mission. This week was like 10 times better than last week. Honestly, I can't believe it has only been 2 weeks. It went by so fast but it feels like I have been doing this forever. I realized I have control over my own attitude and feelings. If I just accept this is who I am for the next 18 months, I feel so much more joy and light! I love learning new ways I can improve and be better.

It’s weird because this week was good, but I feel like there were a lot of not good moments. It was a super slow week and we struggled to get in contact with people. So many people canceled and we need to find new people to teach ASAP. But, that honestly made it easier to point out alllllll the tender mercies of the week. Our days would start out so rough and be so hard, but then by the end of the night we would see so many blessings manifested. I was able to go to bed happy and grateful. most of the tender mercies this week had to do with food… but there were also some that had to do with people!!

wednesday was a rough day. we felt like we weren’t accomplishing anything and that nobody wanted to hear us. Then we get a message from this young couple in our ward. They needed help moving and told us they had some kitchen stuff we could take. Well, we get over there and she basically gave us HER WHOLE KITCHEN. We were like giddy. The kitchen stuff here is so old and used. We were able to help ourselves, while doing her a service! So we had a fun time cleaning out our gross kitchen cabinets, getting rid of all the trashed stuff, and really making this place feel like ours. It was so satisfying. I’m shockingly OCD when it comes to cleanliness and when i got here I was so grossed out by the kitchen. But now it is beautiful!

Then that same night we had an amazing lesson with this guy marty. He is on date to be baptized, but really wants to feel completely ready. But he bore such powerful testimony to us about how cool it is we barely know him, but because God knows him, we were able to help him just by saying what God told us to. It was so good to hear after a day feeling like we weren’t fulfilling our purpose. it brought such a smile to my face.

the last tender mercy of wednesday, but really of the whole week, was DINNER! We are able to eat in members homes now, and it is such a blessing. I love going there and just feeling of the special, warm spirit they have. wednesday night was hands down my favorite meal. we ate with the williams! they are so funny. they are an older couple and are the bluntest people ever. They are not afraid to say whatever comes to mind! but we had a really good conversation and some nice laughs. But I know what we really care about is the meal. We had this delicious ham cooked in a sweet honey sauce with pineapple and jalapeno, green beans, baked sweet potatoes with cinnamon (SO GOOD), and a yummy salad. For dessert, we had peaches and ice cream. If you know me, you know I was in heaven. Ice cream is basically the only dessert I can have now and I'm pretty much obsessed with it.

Our other meals were good, one reminded me of a sunday dinner we would have from home, so that was nice. Me and sister Lathrop sat on the floor, eating our brisket (this member we couldn’t eat with and could only pick it up) and organizing tupperware containers. It was pretty funny. Another meal friday night was good, but I had to try shrimp… which I did not love. I tried to get away with only eating the baked potato and salad they gave, but at the end of the meal, the sister was like “do you not like shrimp?” i couldn’t say i was allergic since i already have so many allergies, so i just had to do it. I don’t think I will be eating it again.

On saturday we had exchanges with the sister training leaders (STLS) which was really fun! usually, there are only two of them, but this week they have been “babysitting” a sister that got here when I did (sister hansen) because her trainer has covid. So one of the leaders (sister miller) and sister hansen came over here, and my companions left to go to the other area! I was honestly a bit nervous because that meant I had to lead the area. Turns out, I wasn’t half bad. It was a good learning experience for me because I realized I could actually be capable of being in leadership one day. Sister Miller and Sister Hansen are so awesome! I love them. I learned so much from them and took lots of notes on how I can improve. The spirit was so strong all day. Me and sister hansen did a role play and it just clicked so easy. We worked so well together. Sister Miller is calling it that me and sister hansen will be STL companions one day. Which I honestly hope happens because she is so fun!

That afternoon we had another tender mercy, and I wish Clayton and Lathrop could have been there! We got a call from this lady who was on date to be baptized, but then 3 weeks ago just stopped answering calls. She said she still wants to be baptized and we have a lesson with her on thursday! I was so shocked by the whole call and was just jumping up and down. I was so excited.

Anyway, I think I have talked your ear off enough for the day. Knowing me, I could go on and on about my week for 10 pages. I do that in my own journal and my comps make fun of me. But I’m just really good at talking! Oh also we got a piano! Well, a keyboard that the STLS gave us. It definitely doesn't work super well, but it's better than no piano. I miss my piano from home so bad. I took it for granted.

This week I have really been thinking about how I can rely heavily on Jesus Christ. He is the only way. I know my own strength could never be enough for this and I'm only able to do this through him. It really is humbling. I'm so grateful I can just give him everything. It makes life so much less overwhelming and burdensome. Sharing this knowledge with others is the ultimate joy. I can't help but smile when I talk about him.

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister Wallace

Email me!!

lacey.wallace@missionary.org

Pics

1. Happiness with a car full of kitchen supplies!

2. Taking church bathroom selfies always

3. Me and sister Lathrop with a giant bag of oranges someone gave us after service

4. Hiking last pday with the STLS!!

5. cutie trio