Chapter 34: Paradise? A Vacation for the Lord

June 26, 2023

Chapter 34: Paradise? A Vacation for the Lord

Hi y'all! You're getting two emails from me today! Don't worry about reading both of them. But if you are going to choose just one to read, read this one.

Well, it was our last Monday of the transfer, so we went to the beach one final time and brought our weekly planning board with us. We were hoping to plan on the beach, but it was heeeekkkkkaaa humid so that was a fail. But we still had a good time. Also... I got my hair cut! Around 10 inches! I absolutely love it!

Before:

After:

Tuesday we had our last dcm too. I was in charge of the discussion. The topic Elder Thayne gave me was "trusting in the Lord's will". In preparation I read the talk "Consistent and Resilient Trust" by Elder Todd Budge of the seventy. This talk is amazing. It is so incredibly important to trust in the Lord. Not just as a missionary, but in everything we do. One of my favorite scriptures is in 2 Nephi 2:24- "But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things." This scripture is one of my favorites because it reminds me that even though I may struggle and I may doubt, but if I just trust in God I'll be okay. Because God doesn't want us to be lost or hidden in darkness. Something that really helps me to strengthen my trust is to read the promised blessings I have been given. Whether that's from my patriarchal blessing, a Priesthood blessing, the scriptures, and even the blessing that come from keeping my Covenants with the Lord. I trust in my God. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. -- Therefore, with joy shall [I] draw water out of the wells of salvation" (2 Nephi 22:2-3).

Mother Goose District !!❤❤🦆

Wednesday was exciting. We had lots of lessons in the first half of the day, they all canceled and reschedule for a different day. It's a good thing they did though. Because we got another flat tire! We were on the interstate when we noticed and pulled off to the side. It's honestly kinda humorous, the same thing happened with the last flat we got. I saw the light,(couldn't remember what it was for), felt something was weird with the car, but couldn't think what. Told Sister Noel, we shrugged and kept driving... yeah, I know, not the smartest, but we got places to be. Anyways, back to the side of the interstate. Some amazing guy named John pulled up in his mega fancy sports car and pulled out an air pump to help us fill our tire enough to get off on the next exit, because I wasn't about to change a tire on the side of the interstate. But John is awesome. We literally talked about God the whole time.

That night we had dinner with the Abars! I love them!

Bro & Sis Abar

Thursday we got transfer news. Usually it's just an email and you look for your name, if it's not there you're not getting transferred. But this time we got a call from President Monson. Guess who's finally leaving Charleston?! I got moved to Hilton Head! Still on the coast. Sister Noel is still in Nexton. And! What's more is I'm white washing! So that's where the missionaries in the area both leave and two new ones come in. And! It used to be a Zebra area, so half Spanish and half English. Not anymore. We're doing just English and a whole nother set of missionaries will be doing Spanish. So lots of new, lots of change, lots of mixing around. I was honestly super nervous. That's a lot of trust the Lord has. I didn't want to let Him down. But I tried not to worry about it then and instead focused on the day. We had lots of visits and I said goodbye to lots of people. I'm going to miss the area and the people for sure, but I'm excited for this new adventure. Also, Hilton Head is MEGA rich and boujee! Especially on the island. I have to keep pinching myself because I feel like I'm on a vacation. We literally saw dolphins on our way to church. It's trippy, haha. I love it. I'm hyped for the work we have to do here.

Friday was transfers. Can you believe that was my first time going?? I made it almost half of my mission without going to transfers! That was strange. It was fun seeing so many missionaries. And I got to see the Monsons one last time. My new companion is Sister Ward. She's a total cutie and I'm so so excited to be working with her! We're both happy that neither of us really know what's going on in the area and that we get to learn it all together.

(On Transfer Day, missionaries transferring gather at a church in Irmo - just outside of Columbia, near the Mission Office. They find their new companion, or ride to their area. When Jayden was transferred from Summerville to Nexton, the areas are literally right next to each other and a 5 minute drive. So she didn't need to "go to transfers.")

With Sister Ward

Saturday and Sunday were just filled with visits. Mostly for members, trying to get to know everyone and some of our friends we're teaching too. Also! We had a nice surprise when we got here! We have a friend on date! Her name is Petagay. She's amazing, I'm so excited to work with her more! We did a pass off lesson with her and it went so well. We taught the Restoration, (I'm a bit rusty, we didn't teach any restos last transfer), and she loved it! We were able to answer some concerns she has and help her to recognize the Spirit guiding her.

One fatty miracle from Sunday though! We were going on visits with the YW president because she signed up with the Hermana's before us, and we felt we needed to still go out with her. Near the end, when deciding who to go visit next, we got a prompting that we needed to go visit this one inactive, whom missionaries had tried to contact before, right then. So we went and she was home! We got to meet not just her but her husband and one of her kids. We had such a good time all talking with each other and they were happy to let us come back again!

Trust in the Lord. Trust in what He is guiding you to and telling you. You will never be lost to darkness when you trust in God. I testify that He loves you. He, your Father in Heaven, has a perfect plan in place for you. Trust Him. Follow Christ, and you will have joy.

With love always,

Sister Ray

Saying goodbye to Nexton peeps