Big Changes and Summer Roasting

Welp dear world, it's officially hit. Summer is beginning. I can feel the heat of asphalt through my shoes again. I've started putting on layers of sunscreen and I'm becoming insecure again of hugging people when I feel oh so icky from sweating all day. But with a few bad things, comes a WHOLE lot of good things. From fun summer fairs to go street contacting at, to my hair getting blonder again, to gorgeous sunshine and fun thunder storms all in one day, to there being SOOO many people outside all night long....Life is getting oh so good. Hot summer nights are my favorite out on the mission. So dear Florida Summer-bring on the heat. I'm so ready for ya. 

So all I have time for this lovely Memorial Day is sharing my favorite secret of the mission. Ready? Just this week I started getting used to this new area and my new calling, and it became a tad daunting. As we were driving home the other night so many things were running through my mind. From a 45 minute training we're presenting to all the leaders of the mission this week, to a power trade off the following day with a struggling set of sisters an hour away, to a ward activity we're behind on planning, to our own struggling area, to the three 24 hour exchanges we're going on this coming week, to the many people in the ward who's names I can't keep straight just yet...on and on and on.....And then, as I stepped out of the car, I smelled that perfect honey suckle smell (one of my three favorite smells in the whole world....up there with Lake Tahoe air and Cinnamon pine cones) I was reminded so simply and powerfully, that Heavenly Father loves me and is working through me. It felt like the weight of the world disappeared. 

Look closely at the THERMOSTAT!!!

I alone couldn't be a sister training coordinator. I couldn't talk to complete strangers and invite them to church. I couldn't have scriptures come to mind right in the moment our investigator needs them. I couldn't do any of it. I'm pretty sure my 20 year old self would self combust. But with God, with my Savior, with the guidance of the Spirit....this work is moving forward. It's not failing. It hasn't blown up yet because I'm here. It's actually getting better. All because God's hand is in this work. I simply get to step back and be a tool in God's hand. I'm FINALLY realizing none of this has been me. Not one stitch of it. All of it has been because of Him. So when people compliment me or thank me for my service or act amazed at something we've been apart of...I'm beginning to just shake my head and hold fast to my favorite secret of all time: It's never been me. You're praising God. You're thanking Him. You're amazed by Him. Oh how grateful I am that this work is His and that I have the privilege to be a tool in His hands, no matter how small of a tool I may be. 

Whoa, hope y'all enjoyed my rant session this week =) Love you all and am praying for you like crazy. Happy Memorial Day!!

If I was at your door, wouldn't you want to talk with me? Hahaha.

Combining my Jerusalem world and my mission world - PERFECTION.