So today was a day forever imprinted in my memory. My love for this work grows more each and everyday with every scripture read, each prayer said, and every tear shed. How could God have given me such wonderful people to influence and change my life? Yes, Change my life! I can't imagine who I would be today without not only the sister missionaries, but my friends and family who encourage and cheer me on each and every day. How could I not serve these people? How could I stand there and think of myself? My purpose here is to serve my fellow men, not be caught up in the worldly things and my own satisfaction. I am here to represent the lord, and me an instrument in his hands.
So as I've mentioned before, Sister Houck is gone (*tears), BUT the new sister, Sister Washburn, is totally awesome! She's completely different from Sister Houck, but every missionary is a new experience, and now I love her too! :) So- on with the story, Sister Tilley, Sister Washburn and I went over to the Johnson's for dinner. It was awesome because they called me Sister Allen! I love the sound of it! It was awesome to experience being the sister for once, because I'm so used to being the one feeding the Sisters. After that we visited the elderly lady Audrey at the hospital. She hasn't been doing too well, she fractured her back and is in a lot of pain. As you might have saw from my last post, I had the privilege to sing to her and the rest of her care home last time I saw her. Yesterday while the Sisters were visiting her, She was complaining to them about how much pain she was in, but then said to them, " Where's that Sister who sang the pretty songs to me? Can she come back?" it just so happened that the next day, (today) I had already asked to come out with them! Definitely not a coincidence. That's a big thing Sister Tilley and I talked about today. It would be wrong for us to believe that these things are coincidences. They are merely the work of the lord and we are instruments in his hands. Its awesome because you hear about these amazing things happening to people on their missions, and I see them happening in my life just going out with them! Not only is this work blessing those around me, but it's blessing me too in ways I would have never imagined. When we walked into Audrey's hospital room she was sleeping so we had to wake her up, but the second she saw me with a guitar in my hand ,she lit up. It brings me such joy to see her love and appreciate my music so much, that she would ask me to play it! The Sisters had me play every song I wrote. yep, every one! But i mean i can't complain, I loved it and I could feel such peace overcome me as I played. In each song I sang, I changed the meaning of it in my mind, to be a song dedicated to and speaking of Christ and Heavenly Father. Doing this not only helped calm me and feel the spirit, but I honestly can say I thought I sang it better because I had that frame of mind. Audrey and the sisters said how much she loved my song and it means so much to me that they want to hear it! Music in general is such a great tool in missionary work and service, I can't imagine life without it. While Sister Tilley was reading a scripture to Audrey and talking about trials, I felt prompted to read two scriptures to Audrey.
7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
These scriptures both stand out to me and have such a powerful meaning. When we go through trials and hardships, like Audrey is right now, we are given them for experience, to help us grown and be strengthened. Heavenly Father woud never give us a trial we couldn't handle. Without these hardships we would never grow and progress to become who we need to be and enjoy the blessing of the greatest blessings. If we stay faithful until the end, it will be worth it, and we will be saved.
Right as we were leaving, Audrey asks me If I could sing " That song from Titanic", " My Heart Will Go On." Normally I probably would have been freaking out a bit on how I sounded and over thinking, but because of the spirit there, my only thought was that I needed to get the message across to her, and I'm hoping I did. had to look up lyrics, but I sang it to her. I assume that song had some personal special meaning to her, I could tell she was at peace when listening to it. When we left, the sisters told me how well they thought I did great and how they had never seen Audrey happier. I'm so happy that my performance brought her peace in a time of trial.
11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.
When i heard this, I was reminded of a neat experience I had at EFY, and I got to share it with them.
I had a question in mind all week and I had been praying about it, but I just wasn't getting an answer. Each morning at EFY, we have a time to just think, read our scriptures, pray, and durning that time I read my scriptures and prayed to find an answer to my question that I had had for quite awhile. I knew that god would answer in his own way and time, but I was a bit doubtful and unsure because I had been praying about it for awhile. I kept thinking " Am I supposed to just go through life and figure it out alone and unaided? Was this a test of my faith?" Right after this we got together with partners to share with them what we had been reading about, or thinking about. I didn't know the girl who asked to be my partner, but oh course I said yes! She talked first and what she said- literally the sentence that came out of her mouth was a direct answer to my question. Although she may never know it, that day, she was an instrument in God's hands.
I could tell jenny was enjoying reading and even felt the spirit. At that time her husband, a non-member calked abd was saying how badly he needs work dine in his yard, and Jenny suggestested the elders to him and gave him their number so they could help! Shes such a great missionary already!! :) Then, still on the phone Jenny said how they were going to the orioles games on friday, which just so HAPPENDED to be mormon night!! so all the missionaries in Maryland will be there! she had no idea! now her husband and her whole family can meet the missionaries in a normal environmebt and get to know them! see! again, not coincidence! After finishing the chapter we went into the other room and visited Penny. Again, the sisters asked me to play my song. I will never forget the sweet moment when, in the middle of my singing, Penny suddenly reached out for Jenny, her daughter, and just hugged her, and embraced her. It was just an amazing feeling to know that I could have prompted that feeling in her. During my next song, Penny kept calling out "Mom...mom...mom..." We are not sure how long Penny has left, but I feel that maybe my song reminded her of her mom, bringing ger comfort. I felt the spirit so strongly, and at that moment I started tearing up. I was do glad I could serve people, even in a way that was just to bring comfort in a time of trial. Of course, going home was sad, but I'm actually going out again tomarrow because Audrey wants me to sing her hymns! :)
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
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