December 3rd Email

Haha oh Mom you make me laugh. I love that you searched Salons in Clarksville. I have been plucking so I dont have a unibrow but the eyebrows themselves are quite bushy.

So this week was really interesting. I am so grateful for it though because I learned so much. Remember when I was talking to you about well what if I have a rough week and you said just tell us about it. Well this week wasn't rough, I never have bad days or hard days, just hard moments. This week was slow though. My companion is sick so we have had to move a lot slower. Our ward also put on a festival of nativity thing that we sang at and also helped prepare for and because it was the end of the month we were depending on members for rides. They were so helpful but that also took up extra time. So we didn't get much accomplished in terms of numbers. This was making me feel quite crummy. I know it is not all about numbers but still I felt I didn't work very hard. Sister V is always telling me I need to be more patient. But I learned a few things, I learned that even if the work doesn't go as I plan it doesn't mean its wrong. Heavenly Father has called me to be a missionary, a full time Servant of the Lord and that can mean different things each day. In whatever capacity I am called to serve in I need to give it my all.

Remember my farewell talk on God loves and accepts our try. Well I refer to that a lot. He still does, even though I may not understand why. I feel like I made a lot of mistakes and had lots of failures this week but guess what the Lord blessed us with miracle after miracle. I am amazed at the power of the atonement! I am amazed at the Love of our Heavenly Father. He really does love us, He really does look for many ways that He can bless us when we even just try to follow his example and do what is right.

On Saturday a member came up to me at the Nativity and started talking to me. She is one of my favorites I love her so much. We got into talking about the atonement and she started telling me about some of the trials she has gone through. Let me tell you she is a walking, breathing reality of how the atonement can heal ANY pain, hurt, sin or affliction. The things she has had to endure are unreal, but were made possible because of Christ. I want you to know that I know that nothing is to big for Him. I know that He has felt it all. Sometimes it is so frusterating to see the people of Clarksville suffer when they do not have too. He suffered so we would have an escape, so that we would have help, so that we would not have to endure it alone if we would but reach up and ask Him to grab our Hand. I know where to go to get that healing, I know the book that can help every single person in this town! I am grateful that I get to spend the next 17 months teaching people about it and helping them find the source of freedom and Salvation.

Mom, I am still me its almost unreal. Im like Hi I am imperfect look over here. But my companion is helping me see how failures and mistakes can be a hopeful thing if we look at them as oppurtunities to change and grow.

Throughout the week I keep having these moments when I realize that I am actually doing this, that I am actually on my mission. I am just like WOAH I am really a missionary. Wow this is awesome! It makes me think of a talk by Elder Holland that this mission is the most real my life will ever be. That is so true, I am really living each moment of my day. I am so blessed to be a missionary, I know these 18 months will effect who I am for the rest of eternity.

We had 3 referrals from church headquarters this week! How amazing is that! We also were able to witness 2 amish boys, and 2 mormon missionaries lift an old stove into a man who is not of either faith's truck. That was an interesting sight that made me smile.

Sister Vandenberg felt we needed to visit our friend Larry in the nursing home. While we were there a sweet women in the cafeteria came and asked us what church we were from. She then explained that she was a member as well! We had seen her name in our ward list but had not visited her yet! I am not sure why she needed to run into us that day, but I know the Lord had his hand in that.

My favorite part of the week was visiting the Harris family. They are converts of about 2-3 years and haven't been to church since January because she has had health problems and he has been dealing with a lot of post tramautic stress from being in the military. We went over with our ward mission leader. We got to know them a bit and then started teaching them about the restoration. When we asked them a question about their relationship with God, Brother Harris explained his feelings about being unsure which church was true now. He knows God is real but is questioning the best way to worship Him. He has been going through so much pain that he thinks he is now past feeling and he doesn't know what to do. All three of us were able to testify of the power of the atonement. We invited them to church and are going to make sure they get visting and home teachers. They are a wonderful family and accepted the invitation to begin reading and praying together. I know this will bless their family. I know this will be the means of healing their afflictions. I know that the gospel can heal anyone, anytime of anything. This Jesus Christ's church and we do things His way.


Also the Trainers'training meeting was wonderful. I sat there thinking how amazing it was that 2 20 year old boys were teaching a room full of 19-25 years old and haveing an amazing spirt led meeting! We are a peculiar people and I am so happy to be one of them. We are different because of the Lord and I hope people can see that and desire to have what we have.

Mom I love you so much, I am so happy I am here. I know the Lord is going to do great things with me. I know the Lord has done and will continue to do great things for you! We have some really awesome families in the ward and when I see them and how the moms take care of their kids I think about how good you took care of me. I promise you are the best mom in the whole world. I hope everybody feels that way about their mom, but when I say it I mean it the most. I love you and dad so much! Thank you for raising me right. The Lord will continue to bless you. Remember to look for all the blessings.

Love Sister Oldham