"Treat people with kindness"

This week's title only really has to do with the fact that the Harry Styles concert I was supposed to go to (in 2020) finally happened in Las Vegas this past Saturday. So shout out to a music KING. Anyway. While I'm extremely jealous of my sister and friends who went, don't worry guys, I'm still glad to be here. And luckily, I GOT TO CLEAN THE TEMPLE THAT NIGHT. So even though I didn't get to rock out with my sister, as a missionary, the temple is the best place I could've been Saturday.

I'm way lazy today so this might be kinda short. We met this super cute lady named Millie this week. Over the past couple of years, the elders have been going over to visit Millie to cheer her up and offer service. She started our convo with "now you know I'm pretty elderly. Do you want me to tell you how old I am." Well, I was curious, especially since Trinity and Betty Jo would never give that one up. So I said, yeah! So Millie is ninety-one. Or at least will be this month. I couldn't believe it. She looks at least 10 years younger than that. She still drives and rocks her shorts and drinks her tea. It was such a fun time being with her.

We had zone conference this week and it was SO GOOD. It was all about how important the members are to missionary work, which I loved. Sometimes it feels like there's this culture in missionary life that members are a "waste of time." But oh my gosh no way. It makes me happy that we are having a concentrated effort to build those relationships so the members of our wards can be more involved in what we do as missionaries and who we teach. Their testimonies are so important and sometimes they can be a lot more bold with people than I can. Anyway, it was just such a spiritual pump up and I was grateful for the revelation I received.

Ok so being a missionary can be really scary. I think I mentioned this last week, but I've been trying so hard to just get up the courage to talk to people. It's a process, but it is slowly getting easier, and I'm actually starting to enjoy it. I chatted with a lady in Trader Joes over the best gluten-free stuff there and gave her some good tips (try the gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake muffins- secret ingredient: sour cream). We connected in such a beautiful way in just a few minutes. We talked about my mission and she shared with me how fulfilling it has been working for her church. She celebrates 9 years there this month! I congratulated her and she gave me a loving pat on the arm and we were on our way. No, I didn't try to get her number, because in this moment we were just two Christians bonding over gluten-free bread. And that was enough for me, and that was what God thought was important.

It has been a long week. But to end it at the temple was so special. We even got to be out past curfew which made me feel so rebellious, haha. I haven't driven at 10:30 at night in almost 7 months! As I vacuumed the endowment, sealing, and celestial rooms, I took a moment in each place to just feel all the beauty around me. Just to be in the Lord's house again meant everything to me. As I moved into the women's dressing rooms, I stood in front of the mirror in the brides room, and remembered how I felt standing in a similar room in the Las Vegas temple for the first time last December. 4th That seems like a second ago. Later, I said a little prayer, asking to know if God was there. Now, I've always wished that I could hear an audible voice, but dang it, I never have. Sometimes I've asked for it, but it just probably isn't the way the spirit communicates with me. And I think if it ever did, I probably wouldn't tell anyone because it would feel so special and personal. But anyway, as I continued on with my vacuuming, I had a sweet primary song come to my mind.

"Child, I am here. Can you feel that heaven is near? Sleep, sleep, a love watch I'll keep to protect you through the night." **

That was my answer. No it wasn't a voice, but it was God communicating with me in my language. I thought I would share that with all of you, just in case you needed a reminder. God is very much still here. He loves his children, and I have been humbled to feel just a sliver of that love for the people in Albuquerque. Even the people who are cold to us, or who say no to us, or go silent when we say who we are on the phone. They are all God's children and deserve to know they are loved. So loved, in fact, that God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die for each and everyone of them. I love my Savior and I know He is the only reason it's even possible that I am here. I'm so grateful for Him, and I'm so grateful to be one of His representatives.

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister Wallace

**Here's a link to hear the song I'm referring to (if you click above the pics of the song, you can hear it. It's pretty short and sweet)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/mother-tell-me-the-story?lang=eng

Pictures:

1. Love New Mexico skies aka God's artwork

2 & 3. Temple whoot whoot

4. Mom look I ate salmon again!!! (I'm not really a fish person, but this was actually pretty good)