Gratitude goes a long way!!!

This was a busy but great week! Exchanges on Tuesday, Thanksgiving on Thursday, and another exchange of Friday! Mayhem I tell you! Anyway here's the fun of the week! 

​Tuesday Sister Trost and I ran the island in utter chaos! We had an insane wind storm that caused trees to fall and there was no power (minus generators) for 17 hours! It was insane and very cold! It was a great day and fun to knock in the complete dark. People were surprisingly kind when we knocked on their doors and not too many were freaked out. 2 hours of pure service approaches will do that!

​Thanksgiving a group got together in the morning and we played soccer. That was a lot of fun! Cold but fun. We played full field and my muscles sure felt it the next day! Another group got together later and had dinner and games at the church. It was a blast. Lots of delicious food and nobody expecting you to eat 4 plates full. My stomach was grateful for that! The last round of bingo we played we literally had to call every number to guarantee everybody won! Haha

​After dinner at the church we spent some time with one of the greatest families! The Uhls! THey are such a blast. These pictures come as a result of me leaving my camera out and it getting passed around from one Uhl to the next haha! There are countless more treasures like these!

​We went on exchanges to Port Angeles Friday! I spent the day in PA with Sister Choo! She's been out for 11 weeks and is just an outstanding missionary!!! She's so cute! That's about all the excitement for the week!

This week I've been studying one of my favorite Book of Mormon stories! The Brother of Jared! Here's one of my take aways: Ether 6:4-10

 4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should  carry with them and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their  vessels  or barges,  and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.

We can relate to this experience. each morning we get up and prepare for the day. Gather the items we'll need, study the scriptures, pray, etc. In this verse what stood out to me was the part I bolded. We don't know what will occur through out the day so as we walk out the door to start the day we must commend ourselves to the Lord and place full trust in Him.

 5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of  the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

In our lives winds blow and trials come that make us feel as if we're being tossed about.

 6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain  waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them,  their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

If we do as the Jaredites and pray everytime trials/etc come into our lives we never have to fear. We can withstand the craziness of life by fully relying on God and following Him. Always remembering Him.

 8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were  upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.

Even when it feels like the wind is just pushing us around if we are allowing ourselves to be in God's hands we will always be moving towards the promised land (aka home with our Heavenly Father).

 9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he  did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise  the Lord.

 10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.

I love these verses because they come with a lesson and promise to us. As we yield to God and place our trust in Him, He will help us return home. He will not allow anything to actually harm us. This is something I've gained a testimony of on my mission. This thanksgiving one of the things I gave the most thanks for was the trials in my life. As I reflect on them none have ever truly harmed or "marred" me but each in their own way have moved me closer to my Father when I chose to see His loving hand in each moment. I know God loves us and I know that He has a perfect plan that He will guide us through if we choose to follow.

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving because we each have so much to be grateful for! Love you all!

--

Sister Jones