Now after you start reading this you are going to be slightly confused why this would be the best week ever, but I'm weird and like trials because I like learning.
I went on an exchange with a Sister in San Benito. We decided to have a healthy bike day. The area in San Benito is literally like you are walking the baron dusty roads around Elk Horn, Iowa. For some reason I was having a really hard time riding the bike (I was borrowing Sister Campbell's companions' bike), but I didn't want to look like a sissy so I kept pushing on. We went and taught our lessons for the day, biking about 7 miles away from the apartment. At 7:45 we left the last house, hoping to be home by 8 so we could grab the car and drive back to the lovely town of Port Isabel.
We walked out of the front door into the dark trailer park. (Keep in mind there are no street lights, it's DARK). My bike had no lights on it. Sister Campbell sped off and I trailed behind. Knowing we had about 6 miles ahead of us and trying to ride as fast as possible was draining. I'm not going to lie, my eyes filled with tears a couple times and I just looked up at the stars asking God to give me strength to get back.
Sister Campbell noticed I was struggling and suggested that I go in front of her so that I could use the light from her bike. As I pedaled, I looked down at the weeds, and they were passing by so slow I felt like I could walk faster. I felt like a fatty; why in the world was I going so slow. All of a sudden, Sister Campbell said, "Sister! We need to stop!" Thank goodness, I thought I was going to die.
She jumped off her bike, "Your bike tire is so flat that you're riding on the rim!"
ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME. I rode about 12 miles on a flat tire?! No wonder I was struggling so much! She conveniently had a pump and filled up my tire. I got back on and sped off. Riding was so much easier.
I thought this related a lot to life; how sometimes people question why life is so hard. They are pushing with all their might and seem to be getting no where, but the problem is that they don't know what they are missing. When someone can apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ and "fill up their empty tires" the stress of life is lifted. We still have to work till the end, but we can do it with the help of our brother, Christ.
Ok. Next learning experience this week.. Go.
Saturday we had the BEST DAY EVER. The Lopez boys passed their interviews and their mom signed the paper!! You have no idea how much of a miracle that is. We have been trying for months. Then we went home and our next door neighbor, Courtney, was outside. She talked to us for a while and then I felt prompted to share Alma 7:11-12 with her and invite her to come to church. She is the greatest, we love seeing our little Courtney. Other things happened that day, but I don't have time to go into details. Sister Nail and I just came into the house and fell on the ground in awe of how many miracles we saw that day.
We got transfer calls Sunday morning. My heart literally fell to my ankles when I heard, "Sister Hemmingsen, you're leaving Port Isabel." No! This can't happen!
There's still people here that I need to help! But then I thought of all the things we had accomplished these last few weeks and realized that I had done what God wanted me to do here. Sister Nail is well prepared, and I feel confident that she will take good care of the people of Port Isabel.
We went to Brownsville and listened to the most beautiful talks ever given by Brother and Sister Paxman. They are moving this week, and I could totally relate to what they were saying about how change is hard.
Sister Paxman shared a scripture that I actually shared with her about a month ago.
D&C123: 17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
I cheerfully did everything I could here and now I will let God's will happen. He wants me in another area (I don't know where I am going yet, but I'll tell you asap). My work here is finished. Love you, Port Isabel. I'll be back soon.
Sister Hemmingsen
SHOUT OUT TO:
Isaac for turning 19-- Feliz Cumpleanos!
Camille for getting murried this weekend. WHAT.
Port Isabel-- I'll see you soon, amor.
I went on an exchange with a Sister in San Benito. We decided to have a healthy bike day. The area in San Benito is literally like you are walking the baron dusty roads around Elk Horn, Iowa. For some reason I was having a really hard time riding the bike (I was borrowing Sister Campbell's companions' bike), but I didn't want to look like a sissy so I kept pushing on. We went and taught our lessons for the day, biking about 7 miles away from the apartment. At 7:45 we left the last house, hoping to be home by 8 so we could grab the car and drive back to the lovely town of Port Isabel.
We walked out of the front door into the dark trailer park. (Keep in mind there are no street lights, it's DARK). My bike had no lights on it. Sister Campbell sped off and I trailed behind. Knowing we had about 6 miles ahead of us and trying to ride as fast as possible was draining. I'm not going to lie, my eyes filled with tears a couple times and I just looked up at the stars asking God to give me strength to get back.
Sister Campbell noticed I was struggling and suggested that I go in front of her so that I could use the light from her bike. As I pedaled, I looked down at the weeds, and they were passing by so slow I felt like I could walk faster. I felt like a fatty; why in the world was I going so slow. All of a sudden, Sister Campbell said, "Sister! We need to stop!" Thank goodness, I thought I was going to die.
She jumped off her bike, "Your bike tire is so flat that you're riding on the rim!"
ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME. I rode about 12 miles on a flat tire?! No wonder I was struggling so much! She conveniently had a pump and filled up my tire. I got back on and sped off. Riding was so much easier.
I thought this related a lot to life; how sometimes people question why life is so hard. They are pushing with all their might and seem to be getting no where, but the problem is that they don't know what they are missing. When someone can apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ and "fill up their empty tires" the stress of life is lifted. We still have to work till the end, but we can do it with the help of our brother, Christ.
Ok. Next learning experience this week.. Go.
Saturday we had the BEST DAY EVER. The Lopez boys passed their interviews and their mom signed the paper!! You have no idea how much of a miracle that is. We have been trying for months. Then we went home and our next door neighbor, Courtney, was outside. She talked to us for a while and then I felt prompted to share Alma 7:11-12 with her and invite her to come to church. She is the greatest, we love seeing our little Courtney. Other things happened that day, but I don't have time to go into details. Sister Nail and I just came into the house and fell on the ground in awe of how many miracles we saw that day.
We got transfer calls Sunday morning. My heart literally fell to my ankles when I heard, "Sister Hemmingsen, you're leaving Port Isabel." No! This can't happen!
There's still people here that I need to help! But then I thought of all the things we had accomplished these last few weeks and realized that I had done what God wanted me to do here. Sister Nail is well prepared, and I feel confident that she will take good care of the people of Port Isabel.
We went to Brownsville and listened to the most beautiful talks ever given by Brother and Sister Paxman. They are moving this week, and I could totally relate to what they were saying about how change is hard.
Sister Paxman shared a scripture that I actually shared with her about a month ago.
D&C123: 17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
I cheerfully did everything I could here and now I will let God's will happen. He wants me in another area (I don't know where I am going yet, but I'll tell you asap). My work here is finished. Love you, Port Isabel. I'll be back soon.
Sister Hemmingsen
SHOUT OUT TO:
Isaac for turning 19-- Feliz Cumpleanos!
Camille for getting murried this weekend. WHAT.
Port Isabel-- I'll see you soon, amor.