Let Us All Press On

The WORST part of this week: I was told I might have to go home, because of my back. I need to get it fixed before I can come out again.

The BEST part of this week: President told me that he will try to get Mission Medical to allow me to go to the chiropractor once a week (on P-Day).

All is well though. This week hadn't been as hard on my back because, luckily, we had the car back. But it's still pretty rough. Especially in the mornings. I don't know why it's like this. But I guess that's the trial that the Lord has sent me. And I know that as I face it head on, I will be able to conquer my back, and do the Lord's work.

(Sister Carroll, Security Guard - Carroll Smith, Sister Smith)

Sister Carroll and I met a security guard..... Guess what his name was?! Carroll Smith. His first name was Carroll (spelled just as Sister Carroll's is) and his last name was Smith. CRAZY! We had to take a picture to show our name tags, but the picture didn't turn out all too great to see the tags. But that's the purpose of this picture.

Sister Carroll had I got a kick out of that experience. The Lord works in mysterious ways, as we all know. But, He is also funny. We were saying how He probably purposely set that up for us to meet him and the Lord just sat back and watched how it played out when we realized our names were the same. That led into us discussing faith and being protected by the Lord. We're both excited to see our mission play out after we are "eternally transferred" (after we die). Angels literally surround us. We are protected constantly. And it's because of our faith that harm doesn't come. It's amazing. God is good!

I had my first Zone Conference! It was the longest day of my life. We were at the church from 9am until about 4pm. It was crazy. But I got a lot out of it. President and Sister Wakolo spoke, as well as the Assistants, the Zone Leaders, and the Sister Training Leaders. It was all primarily focused on increasing our spiritual capacity. "I will lead, I will live, and I will love like the Savior." That is my goal. As long as I continually pray, read, and obey with exactness, I will be blessed and become more like the Savior each day. I've learned that I cannot do it on my own though. I rely heavily on my Heavenly Father.

It's funny, because when I was home, I was dependent upon my earthly parents. I needed them for everything. Especially when I was away at school. I felt so incompetent. I looked to my mama for help for anything, and everything. But now, as I am doing the Lord's work, the one that I aspire to is my Heavenly Father and His perfect son, Jesus Christ. As I do that, and as I constantly remember Him, I learn patience, kindness, gentleness, charity, love, diligence, and my faith increases.

We had exchanges this past week, as well. Sister Carroll went to a different area, and one of the Sister Training Leaders, Sister Sturdevant, came to Pinnacle Mountain. I was incredibly nervous and not looking forward to it. Why? Because I had to know the area. Sister Sturdevant doesn't, and it was all me.

Anyways, it actually went very well. My focus for that exchange was to be able to talk to everyone, and to get referrals. It was amazing how many opportunities arose for me to do that. I talked with so many people, and the Lord strengthened. He was one truly on my right hand and my left, and His angels were round about me (D&C 84:88).

My faith grows each day as I learn to lead, live, and love like the Savior.

Keep strong and press on. Even when tough times hit you straight in the face, as you turn to the Lord, you can make it through. If anything, that is the number one thing I have learned thus far. "With the Lord, anything is possible".