I'm back

I'm back :)

 

Sister Low's computer wasn't working yesterday, as were like half of them in the library, so we had to leave early. I've already written my letter to President, so now I don't have much to do, except email you again :)

 

I can't believe the first transfer of my mission is over.  It is completely unfathomable to me.  It's so weird, because at one point it is like I was home yesterday.  At the other point it is like this is my life.  I remember Josh saying a while back that home was like a fond dream or memory and the mission was reality.  At that point I was still home, and I didn't believe him.  But its kind of true.  But further, it is almost like Cache Valley is a dream land, and Stafford is the cold world. 

 

Not that Stafford is all bad.  There is a university here so I do have some intellectual conversations (although they are not conversations I would have ever had at home... except that one time I told the creepy kid in my class that government should be based on a universal morality... that was legit).  There are some sweet old people, who pretend like they are deaf so they can't hear us. 

 

I've realized that missionaries see the people no one else notices.  We see that person walking down the street with their head down, wondering what they are doing in life.  For this reason we meet a lot of lonely people.  We also meet a lot a lot of crazy people.

 

There are things that are like the 'holy grail' of missionary work.  The first is a family.  You see in church videos missionaries are always teaching well adjusted families that are really receptive to the gospel, and want to know how they can be married forever.  Boom.  Plan of Salvation mind bomb. 

 

That isn't how it really is.  Most people come from broken families, mothers who birthed them when they were 16, fathers who are non existant or showed no love.  There are drugs, alcohol, teen pregnancy and who knows what else going on everywhere.  To find a family as shown in the Mormon ads is somewhat of a miracle.  But I suppose it does happen, it has to happen.

 

Sister Low says that another holy grail is a normal person.  A lot of times normal people are blinded by their busy lives, and perhaps pride, and so we meet with a lot of crazies.  But the gospel is made for everyone, and since they are humble they are more willing to accept it.  I suppose it is true.  But if they recieve the gospel, they will be the normal, happy, content people in the next life, because they will have come unto Christ.

 

For example we taught a man named John today.  The lesson was amazing, he has a great faith in Jesus Christ, and realized that there was something to Priesthood Authority.  He accepted to be baptized, and even accepted a baptismal date! (Guy Fawkes day, btw).  John, however, has to be home every night at 7 pm.  Why?  We don't know, but he is probably on parole.  Which means he can't get baptised.  But we'll help him come unto Christ, just as we have tried to help Lee.

 

Mission life is hard.  It's not physically hard, really, but it is emotionally and spiritually hard.  But I get to tell people every single day that Jesus Christ loves them, and that is amazing.  I know that the Atonement is real, and I'm trying to apply it into my life every single day.  With Jesus, I am nothing.

 

I love you.  I hope you are well,

 

Jasmine