Hey family!
So much is happening this week! The last of everything at the CCM is taking
place -- the last gym time, the last class, the last time we will have Tuesday
devotionals. Why does everything have to
change so fast?!?! On Friday we took a
language assessment -- it was awful! I
mostly had to answer questions with only about 15 seconds to think of a
response and then record it on the computer.
I am not the best at impromptu speaking (although I like to think that I
am), so you can imagine that I absolutely failed – or at least it felt that way
while under pressure. Our teachers have
been warning us about this test for a long time. In fact, they like to joke and say that if we
don't pass then we will have to stay another 2 weeks here in the CCM. Part of me wishes it were true, but I’m
anxious to get to Nampa!
Yesterday the whole day was full of
in-field orientation meetings. It
reminded me of our first day here, lots of info being relayed. Even though it was a long day it went by fast.
Since I’ve been here the Lord has
blessed me with increased patience, for which I’m grateful.
Thursday we had TRC (practice
teaching session) with a woman who is a real investigator. It started off really interesting. (SIDE NOTE: normally if we have the opportunity
to talk with real investigators, a CCM teacher usually sits in on the lesson so
they can jump in if need be to explain or smooth things over.) As soon as we sat down and started talking to
this wonderful daughter of God, our teacher opened the door to look at her and
ask her if she was a member of the church.
She said no, of course, and he took a few seconds to think about whether
he should sit in on the lesson or not.
He eventually closed the door and left us alone with her. It was funny because I could see his face
through the little window in the door. I
giggled because he’s a little awkward and his facial expressions are hilarious! But it was also a cool moment because we could
tell that he decided to trust us to teach this non-member woman even though we
are not experienced missionaries. The
lesson turned out great and she asked for official missionaries to come teach
her in her home, which is super-duper-mega-bien!
The other day in my journal, I wrote
down some important realizations. "Well
it's almost time for me to leave the CCM!
I have embarked on a journey that most teenagers wouldn't have the
desire to do. I don't believe any of my
high school peers is doing anything like what I am blessed to be doing now. Perhaps some are engaged in humanitarian
work, but probably not under a specific missionary calling from the Lord. I feel privileged and special to be engaged
in this missionary endeavor. All my life
I've felt average because I don't have any special talent that really makes me
stand out. I wasn't that involved in
taking difficult classes or sports, and didn't hold any prestigious leadership
positions in any clubs. I'm not the
nicest person alive, I'm not the most popular person other people have met. But I’m so grateful now for this opportunity
to be offering sacrifice and service to the Lord. It’s a bit scary to give up the comfort of home
and family, music, movies, and time to complete a college education; to give up
current pursuits to help others and to teach them the restored gospel. Missionaries don't know who they'll meet; they
don't know where they'll go. A lot of
times they don't know the language, they hardly have the capacity to teach
people anything. When you think about it,
why would people listen to a couple of young women or men who lack worldly wisdom
and knowledge -- what can we really do for them? Notwithstanding all of this uncertainty, I
still believe in my purpose and in my calling.
I know I can do this work and I know that I can help others along the
way. I know I'm not perfect, but I know
God knows my heart and is going to help me in all that I do."
Gahh! Tomorrow is my last Sunday. So sad!
Since I recently spoke in Sacrament meeting, I will probably be asked to
share my testimony instead. I hope I
don't look like a blubbering walrus up there.
Turns out one missionary stereotype is somewhat true -- we are ALL crybabies. It's true.
This week me and my comps were asked to teach the class and share our
thoughts about a chapter from the Book of Mormon and I couldn't get through it
without bawling of course! Do y'all
remember my farewell talk? I didn't even
get through the first song before the tears welled up! Plus, I was on the stage in front of the
whole congregation -- so embarrassing!
We are passing down signs tonight. I have given a lot of thought to who I will
give mine to, and it will probably be one of the elders in our zone. We have taken a little heat for spending some
of our study time doing family home evening with our zone, so our meeting will
have to be brief. All the hermanas are
all planning on having a sleepover tonight and tomorrow night. It will be so fun! I love sleepovers! We probably won’t sleep at all.
I have to report to the reception desk
at 4:30 in the morning to take the bus to the airport on Tuesday morning. OHMYGOODNESS -- so early! And then I have a forever long layover in
SanFran airport, so maybe that is when I will try to call y'all.
Welp! I think this is all I have time for. I think from now on my letters won’t be quite
as long since I will have less time to be in front of a computer. Sad :(.
I love and miss y'all so much! Hope everyone had a great week!
Hermana Moss
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