"Whatever Happens, He Knows, He'll Never Leave Me Alone, I'll Be Okay."

It's gonna be a good day!!!!

My title this week comes from the song "Good Day" by strive to be. My teacher played the music video in class and we had a district "dance party." And I say that in quotes because she was the only one who actually danced (I tried though. My head bobs and sways were real cute). This song has been playing in my head NONSTOP this week. I will link the video below. Go watch it and I dare you not to smile. You won't be able to do it. Seriously, after watching this I felt a million times happier.

Guys, it is so weird to go from listening to Taylor Swift all day everyday to then listening to all the EFY soundtracks and guitar instrumentals. But like it's honestly kind of cool. Everything I listen to makes me think of Jesus. Now that doesn't diminish my love of Taylor Swift at ALL. But it is a change i'm willing to accept if it can help me focus on inviting others to come unto Christ (including myself).

Honestly, this week was so good. I just felt happy to be a missionary. I can't say it enough, I feel so blessed that God is letting me do this. He truly is guiding me everyday and letting the spirit tell me what to say. If you know me, you know I'm a planner through and through. But as missionaries we are encouraged to let the spirit guide us in what to do and say. So that means if you go into a lesson planning to teach about the Restoration of the Gospel, but the spirit tells you to teach the Plan of Salvation, you listen. We have been focusing this week on really teaching the person, not the lesson, and truly listening to their needs so we can know how to best help them. This is hard for me to learn, but it feels really cool doing it.

In the MTC, there are people hired to portray people who aren't members of the church and we get to teach them! Our very first time doing this, we didn't teach the lesson we planned, which was the Restoration. I just felt the spirit tell me that this guy needed to learn about God's love and Jesus Christ, and leave it there. I'm so glad I listened because our lesson went much better than I expected! There were definitely rough spots, but he was so easy to talk to and very interested in what we were saying. When thinking about this lesson, I realize that it went this way because God wanted me to learn that it's ok to stray from the lesson plan and trust that He knows all.

Our other lessons have not gone as well... we had two with one girl and I wouldn't say they were bad, the spirit just wasn't as strong. We definitely could have improved on listening to and inviting the spirit. But this girl also had a much quieter personality, so I think there is something to be learned about teaching different people with different personalities. She was harder to read, but that's ok!

I had hands down the coolest experience of my mission so far at Costco the other night. The check out lady saw my name tag and asked me where I was going. After I told her, she told me that she was tingly all over. She said that she could feel that I was going to be a good missionary and that I wouldn't give up, and that I was righteous and could do it. She said that she has so much respect for missionaries serving right now and that we were saved for this time for a reason. It made me smile so big. I was so touched that I didn't really know what to say. It was so sweet. It really made me be like "wow, I'm a missionary now. People recognize me and I want to represent Jesus Christ in the best way I can."

It's weird but I feel like I'm still me, but I also feel so different. My life feels enriched and fuller. Like when I walk around anywhere I just want to smile at people and ask them if they believe in God and want to know how to come closer to Him. I can tell you right now I didn't have that same desire 2 weeks ago. I know that it is because of Jesus Christ that I have this desire now. How else can he gather His flock if He doesn't have people with the desire to share His message?! I know this isn't some major revelation, but to me it means so much. And you don't have to be a missionary to talk about Jesus. Share your beliefs with others, and tell them how you have learned for yourself that God is real and loves you. I think people are really searching for that answer right now. And if you don't feel like you know this for yourself yet, don't lose hope! God really wants you to know. He cares about you so much. I know that if we pray sincerely, asking God for answers, He will talk to us. This might look different to each of us, and we might have to patiently wait for the answer. Personally, God speaks to me the most through reading my scriptures and through music. I'm still learning how to discern the messages God sends me through the spirit everyday, but I can tell that I'm getting better at it. It definitely takes practice.

Well, I think that's it. I won't bore you with the minor details of my week. Basically I just sat in front of the computer for 6-8 hours a day, talking about Jesus Christ and feeling the spirit. Oh and playing lots of skip bo with Katie and ben while on breaks. It's awesome. I love being a missionary! I already love sharing these messages so much! And even though I've only practiced teaching fake people, I have felt such a strong spirit seeing them learn and grow. Now I'm totally aware that I'm only 10 days in and there will definitely be moments in my mission I don't feel this way, but right this minute that is how I feel. 10 more days until New Mexico! I can't wait to teach real people. It's definitely nerve racking, but so exciting.

He's on your side, let Him in!!!

Sister Wallace <3

Baby Boy was blessed on sunday!!! he looks sooooo funny in this

Little Bro and cousin both passing me up

He obviously enjoyed his blessing

Getting my last hugs in with the nephew before I can't hold babies for 18 months!