"Oh there's sunshine, blessed sunshine ... "

Lacey Wallace
Mar 8, 2021
6 min read

Hey from Los Lunas, New Mexico! Well, technically I live in Albuquerque, but the zone I am in is called Los Lunas. Anyway… wow what a wild week! I honestly don’t even know where to start! So much happened this week, but I will try to just hit the highlights. Also the weather is amazing here right now. I'm loving it.

First of all, and most importantly, because I know you have all been dying to know… I don’t have to bike! For some reason the info my mission sent me a few months ago said we ride bikes, but this mission is full of cars. We are driving a brand new equinox. Pretty sweet! The church really cares about us missionaries.

Getting here was so unreal! The flight was pretty short but it was fun because there were so many missionaries on it! Including three sisters from my MTC district! Shoutout to sis Greenfield, Crane, and Gleason! You guys were a party to meet in person and have fun with for a couple days!

When we landed, we got all our stuff and they were like, "ok grab two days' worth of stuff from your luggage!" But, most of us only planned for one day. So we all just start going through our suitcases in a mad frenzy. I was sweating up a storm, moving as fast as I could. What a sight to see - a bunch of missionaries in dresses and suits rifling through their luggage at baggage claim. Haha. Once we did that we went back to an apartment to stay the night. There were about 15 of us in one apartment. So that was interesting haha.

The next day we spent the whole day in meetings and hearing from President and Sister Weathersby. Oh my gosh. I already love them so much. They are the sweetest and love their missionaries so much. I could just feel that they are the best people ever. That night all the new missionaries went to watch a pretty sunset at the Sandias and then drive by the temple. It was awesome. I really hope the temple opens soon so I can go during my mission. After that we had this huge dinner. It was the first meal I could fully eat (if you know me, I have about a million and one allergies so I struggle to find food) so I went CRAZY! It was the yummiest Mexican food. Some sort of pork and then this chicken with bacon and peppers. And some good rice. I love me some Mexican rice. Anyway now I want lunch.

The next day was transfers! I was mega anxious. But I am in a trio, so I have two companions! My trainer is sister Clayton, who has been here almost 5 months, and my other comp is sister Lathrop who is only 6 weeks in. So poor sister Clayton is training two newbies at once. But they have been really sweet and patient with me. Since I'm in a trio we have a bunk bed and I'm on the top. It is way sketch. One of these nights I think it's going to fall through haha. And the ladder is disconnected so getting in and out of bed is risky.

It has been a good week, but definitely a hard week. I miss my fam a whole lot. My poor companions may or may not have had to deal with me randomly breaking into tears most days. But the cool thing is the second we teach a lesson or talk with someone, I forget my problems and just feel happy. I already love all these people so much. They are just so good, but they have had such hard lives! I am fully aware I was sheltered and had it easy. So many people need to know how loved they are and that they are never alone because of Jesus Christ. It brings a smile to my face to bring that knowledge to people.

Waking up in the mornings has been an extra challenge. The first 2 days I honestly woke up wanting to die. I know, dramatic. But I had a cool experience because of it. I started praying that I would be able to feel better waking up and the past few days I have been able to slowly wake up right before our alarm goes off. It feels so much better because then I feel less surprised! It's silly, but it was honestly a tender mercy for me. And I will take what I can get!

Speaking of prayer, WE LITERALLY PRAY SO MANY TIMES A DAY. It was so weird at first, but I'm getting used to it. But what's funny is I actually woke up the other day and found myself just talking to God. So I guess it's probably a good thing we pray so much. We definitely need the added strength.

We talk to so many people every day so I'm not gonna try to name them all for you. But I will tell you about one of my favorites. Her name is Sister Fling. She is this little old lady who just LOVES the sisters. She calls us her babies. The other night she said "from the bottom of my shoes to the top of my head I need your love." Then she always says "bear hugs" and growls. It is so cute. She is pretty sick and losing her memory, so that is super sad. But she says the most beautiful prayers. She prayed the other night and the whole time just prayed for us. She prayed for me, "the new carnation in blooming." I think that one made me cry and laugh! She is so faithful and so sweet. It definitely uplifted my day. She loves it when we sing to her and says that we have the most beautiful voices in the whole world. We sing her what we call "her sunshine song," which is the hymn "there is sunshine in my soul today."

You always hear "your mission is going to be really hard." But I don't think we can ever comprehend that phrase until we actually are in the field. I say that, but I'm still only 7 days in. But at the end of the day, I journal and go to bed feeling blessed to be here, with the confirmation this is exactly where I need to be. I know that Christ really is by my side. In all the moments I need Him, He is there.

My goal is to read the Book of Mormon 6 times on my mission, which seems like a lot, but I really think it is possible. So, keep me accountable! I need finish about every 3 months to stay on track with that goal. But for my first time, I'm trying to finish it all in my first transfer. I know that doing this will bring me a lot of comfort as I transition into this big change. When I read the Book of Mormon, I don't miss home. I'm not thinking about how much work this is, or about how tired I am. Reading this book brings such a power that the world can't provide.

I'm sure many of you can already tell from my past emails that I'm pretty much an open book. But that's because I think authenticity is so important. So expect honesty from me haha. Because yes, this work is the most important work I could be doing on the face of the planet and I love it, but that doesn't mean it is going to be all rainbows. But that's why we have Jesus.

This post is kind of all over the place and long, but I love you all so very much. Thank you for all the support and emails. I really appreciate it.

Don't forget that Jesus loves you, Sister Wallace

Oh! And here is my address- I LOVE getting mail and I will for sure write you back.

2300 Diamond Mesa Trail SW #3101

Albuquerque, NM 87121

If you want to send packages, (i promise this isn't me trying to get presents) probably send them to the mission office so they don't get stolen if we aren't home. Even though we are home most of the time. Idk that address, but just email me if you need it.

And now, here are a few pics from this past week ...