June 17, 2013
Wow this week was insane, and
insanely good. I left the area on 3 exchanges (Flushing
and Lynbrook Spanish and English) and we switched pads (a NYC way of saying
apt) with the Elders. Still haven't caught the marijuana source, but the Elders
were kind and let us switch. We also have been working really hard and reached
our highest numbers in terms of proselyting key indicators. I am exhausted but
still feel relatively clear headed and am happy. Miracle of being in the
service of the Lord, we still manage to keep going.
It has been raining SO MUCH! Even the long-time
long-islanders are complaining about it. The heavens open and it is an almost
instant flood on the highway, or an instant soaking as soon as you step out of
the car ha-ha. But we are safe and getting by, and now I understand why it is
so green here. I have also learned what hydroplaning is (to a Colorado
Miracle of the week:
Just before I left flushing, I
got the stomach flu really bad. We actually had a lesson with Juan Carlos (one
of our investigators) and I was so sick that we had to stop the lesson and I
needed to go home. The next morning, my district leader gave me a priesthood
blessing promising me that a reason I was so sick was so that I could exercise
faith and ask for the blessing, be healed, and testify of the experience to
Juan Carlos to help him realize the power and effect him holding the priesthood
could have on his family. I felt better at a miraculous rate and looked forward
for the opportunity to see testify of my experience to Juan Carlos. Sadly, we
couldn't get in contact with him in time and I had to leave without saying goodbye
and wondering how it would all come to pass...until this past week!
As we were praying about our exchange withFlushing ,
we knew that I should go and be with Sister Dean (my 2nd trainee :) ) and my
companion would bring Sister Powell (My first trainee) with Sister Norton (her
new trainee, Sister Powell is now double training too!). When we called the day
before to tell who would be with who and all, they told me Juan Carlos had
moved to New Jersey Flushing
chapel where they were teaching someone after English class......IT WAS JUAN
CARLOS! I guess they still are teaching him after English class while they are
trying to figure it all out with the New Jersey Missionaries. They told him I
was coming and he came! We made the switch I sat down, and after the usual
salutations. He asked about how I have been since the last time I saw him. And
with that, Sister Dean asked me about how I was able to get better (she
remembered the blessing). I shared the experience and testified of the truth of
the priesthood and how God needed him to hold the priesthood so that he can
bless his family and many lives. The spirit was very strong. At first I was
kind of hesitant because I didn't want to "force" the miracle. But as
I prayed in my heart, I knew it was the right time and place. The spirit
also loosed my tongue, it had been a good month since I had been in a lesson in
Spanish, and so I was praying very hard, but the spirit came through (as
always) and I was startled with how fluently I was able to speak and
understand.
As we were praying about our exchange with
God always fulfills his
promises, even His small ones. I think sometimes as missionaries we categorize
our missions by transfers (6-week periods) and areas, but I learned that our
Heavenly Father sees and plans past those things. It is all part of a grander
picture. It is neat to go back to an old area, even for a day, and see how the
work of the Lord is progressing after I left it. This experience also has built
my faith in the promises that God makes through his authorized servants. The
priesthood is real. And I know that it is through the priesthood (my setting
apart) that I have the authority to promise blessings to the people I teach and
come in contact with. And my power as a missionary is all about carrying the
spirit through worthiness.
Fun connection, I went on an
exchange with a Sister Freeze and it turns out that her cousins are the Spears
in the Stake! How fun is that! If you see them, tell them that she is a
fantastic missionary :)
I love you and loved hearing
all about trek!! I am glad you had a fun and spiritual week. Keep being great!
Love,
Hna Chipman
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