Two Decades Later

I'm so sorry that I didn't write an email last week!

Quick recap of last week: I had to say probably the hardest goodbye to the sweetest companion. It was especially hard because I felt like I was losing my best friend and I was genuinely scared about how I well I was going to get along with Sister Blair. When you leave a best friend, it just seems like there's no one else you could possibly get along with as well. But I was proven wrong in the best way possible. The Blair way! Sister Blair is amazing! She is so talented and funny and easygoing and we are just having a blast!  We have even been on dates with the same boy from home/college!!! What are the chances of that?! Haha!!

Last week we had the opportunity to watch the live stream of Elder Bergeson's memorial service. It was such a tender experience to hear how resilient and faithful his family is. 

We had our last interviews with President Pickett last week as well. It was quite sad. But I am also super excited to welcome the Grahams to Tennessee next transfer! 

OKAY. Back to the present. This week was pretty fantastic as well. We are seeing more and more and more success in our Facebook efforts. In fact, we found 6 new people to teach this week! Wow! (We haven't found that many people in a week since before this whole isolation thing started).` We have taught some amazing people who are so excited to be learning more, and we even got to plan a baptismal service! (Which is on hold until the virus goes away. . . . But still! It's all planned and ready to go!) 

We also had our last Pickett Zone conference this week. So sad. And so good! And so suffocating. We had to wear masks for like 5 hours straight. It was terrible. But guess what I learned from it? It is okay for your DESIRE to live and share the gospel to exceed your CAPACITY to do so. Because guess what? That's where the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ comes in: His Grace. He not only makes up for what we cannot do, but actually enables us and EMPOWERS us to do what He needs us to do! As long as we let Him. As long as we step back and hand Him the reigns and say "Okay. I'll go where you want me to go. I'll do what you want me to do. I'll be who you want me to be." (As dad would say it: "Just say OKAY!"). So don't get frustrated with yourself if you feel like you are falling short of your expectations of yourself. If your capacity is just a little lower than you'd like it to be.  LET THE LORD HELP. 

We also got to see the first fireflies of the summer!!! It was Sister Blair's first time seeing them and she just fell in love. I love the South for their fireflies. I could do without the million different kinds of wasps and nasty chiggers and ticks and swarms of mosquitoes and cockroaches. . . . But the fireflies almost make up for all that! 

Lastly, thank you all so much for such wonderful birthday wishes!!! I have never felt so spoiled in my life! I think the funniest part of it all was that my companion and I were fasting on Sunday for one of the people we are teaching, and as I opened presents throughout the day, 90% of them were snacks and treats and food! I love it all!! 

But to be honest, the best gift I got was being able to wear the tag that has my Savior Jesus Christ's name over my heart. To be His representative full-time for these 18 months. I will strive to be His representative full-time for the rest of my life, at all times and in all things and in all places. But there really is something especially powerful when you get to remove yourself from the distractions of the world. Especially during these sad and worrisome times. I had the privilege of talking to the most wonderful ray of sunshine-Sister Pickett yesterday, and she said, "there is nothing more fulfilling than serving a mission for the Lord." I have no words to describe how much love, joy, peace, and growth I have experienced here in Tennessee. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He restored His church to the earth in its fullness and it is under His direction. I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every one of us. We may not understand it yet, or even acknowledge that yet. But He does. He is so very involved in our lives. 

I love my mission. I love this gospel! I love you all, and I love the Lord!

-Sister Shumway