"Took a hard left, but we're alright"

Itssssss Monday!!! This week was weird because I had so many different emotions and it was a kinda hard week, but then we had SO many tender mercies and ended up having probably one of our best weeks since I've been here when it came to finding and teaching and baptizing people. It really was such a testament to me of how much God wants to bless us and show us why we are here, especially on days when we just feel overwhelmed and stressed and missing our mamas.

I found myself asking God almost everyday "why is this so hard?" It was discouraging because I had a solid month of just feeling good and positive and happy. Then all of a sudden I think Satan wanted to mess with me. But I also think God wanted me to grow. I think throughout life we all have those moments, pleading with God, to know why life is so dang hard. But every time I ask, I'm given or shown an answer. On Friday I bore my testimony to my district about it. This is so hard because if it wasn't, it couldn't be so good and so miracle-filled. We have to experience the bad days to recognize the blessings of God. It also has to be so hard because it has never been easy to follow Jesus Christ. It wasn't easy for Christ's apostles, it wasn't easy for Nephi or Alma (prophets in the Book of Mormon), and it wasn't easy for Joseph Smith, to name just a few examples. It takes work and faith to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. But what an honor it is to be one!! When we watched The Chosen last week, there was a quote that really stuck out to me. Christ said, "I ask a lot of those who follow me, but I ask little of those who do not." Such a powerful statement. He asks a lot from us, but I know it is 100 percent worth it. I don't know what I would do without my Savior, and I'm so ready to continue to learn even more about him and feel even closer to him. Each day I'm here, I'm more and more humbled and shown how I can grow to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

This week, my companion wanted a blessing. Well, the morning she was getting one, I woke up feeling suddenly overwhelmed and homesick. When I prayed, I knew I needed to get a blessing too. I'm so glad I did because it really pushed me through the week, and I was actually able to testify of the power of priesthood blessings because of it to a person we were teaching and encouraging to receive a blessing. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

I wanted to share a few other tender mercies with y'all this week. Sorry, I know I'm so wordy. But we had the coolest thing happen on Tuesday!! We had such a slow day and were just dragging all day. We were planning on walking to our dinner appointment, but at 3:30 we were all feeling so stir crazy. So Sister Clayton suggested we leave early and go to the park to do all our calls and then walk to dinner. I was ALL over that idea. Turns out that is exactly what God needed us to do. On the way to the park, a young boy on a bike sped past us and his phone fell out of his pocket. We tried to call out to him but he had gone too far. I ran to pick up the phone and we proceeded to creepily follow him. When we couldn't see him anymore, we figured he had turned into a neighborhood. We walked in and couldn't see him anywhere. So, what is a missionary to do? Pray in the middle of the sidewalk, of course. After we prayed, I just started walking. I kept being drawn to turn left at a certain point, but kept pushing it aside. We were just standing there waiting when I finally decided to listen. I kid you not ... 10 seconds after we turned that direction, the boy was riding straight for us. I ran to him and I could tell he had been crying and was in a lot of distress. He told me he had been looking for his phone and had just been grounded. I told him I hoped he could reverse that and he thanked me and rode back home.

When we left, I couldn't stop smiling. I just kept thinking about how thankful I was for the Spirit. God knew a little boy would really need our help that day so he could find his phone and hopefully get out of being grounded! Was it a 45-minute detour walking? Yep! But it was exactly what we needed to do.

PAULA WAS BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!! Oh my gosh she was adorable. She is just so sweet and was so excited. I felt really blessed to be a part of such a special day. Her spirit is so unique and beautiful. The joy on her face after she was baptized (which was twice since the elder did something wrong the first time lol) was one of the best things I have ever seen. I got to be one of the witnesses, which I really appreciated. I had never done that before! I also got to pray at the end in sign language, which was pretty cool! My parents got to join in on Zoom, which was also really special to me. I love how involved my family can be in my missionary work. It sure makes being here without them a whole lot easier! Paula's baptism just reminded me of why I'm here. The joy I feel from seeing another person make covenants with God is unlike any other feeling.

Some other tender mercies this week… I finished the Book of Mormon, which was my goal!! I once again took the promise in the last chapter of Moroni to heart and prayed to know if it is true. Let me tell you, IT IS THE TRUEST BOOK EVER. I didn't always know that, but it's a process and something that takes time. I think every time I read it, I grow even more in my love for it. Also, I get to be the driver this transfer! I love to drive and I really missed it. So it is such a blessing for me to be the one driving my companions wherever we go. AND - Sister Raya also asked for hugs this week, and we couldn't say no. I literally ran to her. She just cried as we all hugged. It made my day. Also, I started making my comps make a long gratitude list with me everyday during our companion study. It makes me happy. And, it makes studying less boring for me, lol. I just have a hard time sitting still for that long.

Anyway, God is good and I end this week feeling humbled and happy to be an instrument in God's hand in this work! I am amazed at how much people need to hear they are loved by God. It's sad to find so many people who don't know that. I hope you all know that God loves you and needs you. You are His child and that will never ever change no matter what you do or say.

Have a great week! Stay happy!

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister Wallace

1. PAULA'S BAPTISM!!!

2. Check out this old school dairy queen

3. Chilling at a park after finding the kids phone

4. Got some Hi Chews at an oriental market with the sisters on Monday!

5. Putting our work bench in our garage to good use while calling the fam

6. Some DELISH beef stew in acorn squash. It was so good.