WEEK 52: It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times

HEY Y'ALL

We made it another week!

With the new transfer, Sister Sena has come into this area to be my companion! Transfers were funky this time, due to the Rodartes leaving soon, so we had a couple days in between our transfer and when the new missionaries arrived from the MTC. Sister Eastman was called to be a trainer for a new missionary, so she stayed with us for a few days and turned us into a trio. It was so fun to have her around, and to work with her again!

It is indeed a tumultuous time right now--truly the best of times and also the worst of times. I will hit my one year mark of being a missionary on the 27th! Tuesday is also the day that the Rodartes complete their missionary service and return home, and our new Mission President and his family will arrive! (My emotions on that subject are far to great to address at this time). The new edition of Preach My Gospel was also released this week, and there were some major changes and improvements made to how we teach and plan. Our Area Book Planner app was also changed and updated. Then, to top it all off, Sister Sena and I had a problematic housing situation and had to move out. Like I said, it's a tumultuous time. We're just rolling with the punches over here.

We had a miracle this week, and it came in the form of a man named Ben. Ben is the coolest! His good friend is a member, and he called to tell us that Ben was ready to meet with missionaries. He's been reading the Book of Mormon daily for two months! Ben came to church and is so prepared. He even called himself "golden"! Baptism is a goal for him, and he loves the Book of Mormon. He's such a star. I am so excited to keep working with him!!

It's been a weird and stressful week. It was very easy for me to focus on myself and my troubles and my uncertainties. And unsurprisingly, I was kind of miserable for part of the week. It's hard to feel the joy that comes from serving others when you're only focused on yourself... I learned that again this week. When I decided to let go of trying to control my external circumstances and refocused all of my energy and attention on fulfilling my missionary purpose by inviting and helping others to come unto Christ through living the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, my week changed for the better. I started seeing the miracles again. The joy in the work came back. I was filled with love for the people around me.

This week was just a big testimony-builder for me of the Savior's promise in Matthew 16:25: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." That is a true promise! It's a concept that I didn't understand until I lived it, and now I can say with certainty that it's a very real thing. Trust the Savior's promises!

It's certainly a historic time in the NLVM, and I'm just happy to be here. Until next time!

Love,

Sister Malmstrom

NEW ADDRESS: 1290 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy #315 Henderson, NV 89012 United States

Pictures

- On our hike with the district last week.

- At the temple with Ginger!

- Ginger's gang.

- The trio at the temple!

- Trio life!

- Fun activity with the Portuguese branch, which Sister Sena is over!

- Comp picture.