"Only Jesus"

Wooohoooo!!! My first pday is finally here. I can tell you right now that I have only been a missionary since Tuesday night, and can already see that pday is going to be a blessing on the mission. Because this is HARD. And that is ok! The hardest part? So far it’s waking up at 6:30. I never thought I would ever have to pray to be able to get out of bed.

My district is awesome! We spend 6 hours together every day, with class from 9:30- 12:30, and then again 2:30- 5:30. The rest of my days are full of personal study, companion study, daily planning, workshops and spending time with my fam. Next week will be even busier because I will actually start teaching real people! Well they are people hired by the MTC but still it's going to feel just as nerve racking. But I'm looking forward to getting the practice. My teachers are Sister Hillam and Brother Flitton. Sister Hillam is so cute and so nice! I already love her so much. Brother Flitton is of course cool too, but Sister Hillam let me cry my eyes out to her in a one on one yesterday, so I feel a tad closer to her haha. And I’m perfectly happy admitting there have been some tears, because of course that would happen! My life completely changed overnight, but I’m learning to get used to it.

My companion’s name is sister Greenfield. She is super nice! I’m still trying to get her to open up more and speak up when we are studying or working together, but I’m sure with time things will feel more comfortable. She is also going to New Mexico. There are two other girls in my district going there as well, so that is super fun. Who knows, I could end up serving with one of them again! Trying to make connections through zoom is soooo awkward sometimes. I’m hoping next week my district will feel closer so that we aren’t grasping for conversation topics at the end of class. There are also so many silences on zoom because people feel awkward answering questions, so one of my goals is to fill those silences. Mainly because the silence makes me crazy.

ANYWAY. I can honestly say I have already experienced so many emotions the past couple days. I can already see that what people say about missions is true. It is the best, hardest, most spiritual, saddest, and happiest time of your life. One moment I go from self doubt and anxiety, to the next crying because the spirit is so strong gathering together with all of these missionaries. My good friend Elder Durant told me a few weeks ago that the sisterhood and brotherhood you feel with other missionaries is so real. I have felt that. In our first workshop, welcome to the work, I felt such a connection with these missionaries. There were about 250 of us all online together, and I couldn’t help but feel so much love for them. It feels so good to know that there are other people going through such similar things as I am, uniting to spread the gospel.

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to give our all to Jesus Christ. At this point in my life, to me this means serving a mission. But what will it mean to me after my mission? What does it mean to you? I know that each of us has a purpose in this life, and that we can do our part in bringing others true happiness and joy. There is so much goodness inside of us and we have to show it! I know that we were all put on this earth at this moment in time because we have a work that God wants us to do. When I was set apart for this calling, given the power and authority to act in God’s name and represent Jesus Christ, I felt so strongly that I am meant to be on this earth, to serve a mission, RIGHT NOW. I knew that even though the next 18 months of my life would be difficult, that God could give me strength and that there is no better thing I could be doing with my time.

I’m so excited to strive each day to give my all to Jesus Christ. I have never felt so fulfilled or at peace going to bed each night then right now as a missionary. I can already see myself growing and changing in the best ways so that I can become a stronger disciple of Jesus Christ. Putting my name tag on for the first time brought me such a sense of pride for Christ's church, but also humility that God would allow me and work in me to do this. I hope I can remember throughout my mission what an honor it is to wear the name “Jesus Christ” every single day.

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister Wallace

First night as a missionary!!!

What I look at 6-8 hours of the day. In the center is the missionary purpose.

My cute nephew. Just because I LOVE him.

Email me if you wanna say hi! lacey.wallace@missionary.org