Ok so this week I have wanted to read your letters everyday. I wish everyday was Monday so that we could receive a letter from you ha ha. Yes you are loved and missed. But I wanted to text you that quote from Nacho all week because of Easter, ha ha. What did you guys do for Easter? Did somebody make you dinner or anything? How long do you stay with this companion? It sounds like you guys get along and that will always help further your work along and make people feel very comfortable. That's rad that your ward is awesome. It's always nice when you get gift cards to go eat and stuff. Does the Subway know you yet? Any new investigators? Are you sending mom paper letters? Also, does your mission have any strict rules or is it pretty laid back?
Let me tell you a little story about what has been going on. Maybe mom told you last week but I don't know because I didn't see it in her letter. Anyway, since Norah was born I think Heavenly Father has been trying to refine and polish my character. It has seriously been one of the hardest times physically/emotionally that I have had. Recovering from having a baby is always rough because of the obvious but then I have had a baby that sleeps 1 1/2 hours throughout the night and wants to eat every time so I get about 3 hours of sleep total every night. (I look hideous, Nacho style). Then because my body was so worn down, I got what's called Mastitis( breast infection from nursing) 3 times in three weeks. This infection literally knocks you out flat. You have the flu and you are so sore that you can't hold the baby and you HAVE to nurse through it.... this sends painful shocks through your whole body. Suck. Then finally when I thought that my body was getting a hold of itself, I went to the Doc and had an IUD (birth control) inserted into my uterus. Well something went wrong of course. Either the doc put it in wrong or too hard and it jammed through my uterus or it jammed through on its own. It lodged itself in the fat above my bladder. This is pretty scary only because if it leaves scaring in the uterus, it can cause infertility. So 10 days ago I had to have surgery to get the IUD taken out. This happens to 1 in a 1000 women who get an IUD. The doctor who did my surgery said that in the 15 years that he has been a doctor, he has only seen then 5 times. I am just a lucky girl I guess. I am now happy to say that I am off pills/antibiotics for the first time in 8 weeks. I am still dizzy(they don't know why) but hopefully that goes away.
I tell you this because I have learned something. I don't think that Heavenly Father does things to make us in pain or anything because I can't imagine that he would want to watch his sons/daughters hurt but I do think that life happens and he lets it happen. I know that I needed this. I think I was not grateful for Norah or Vance. I was struggling showing Norah love and even attention because I was so in pain, frustrated that she wasn't sleeping or eating, and sleep deprived. I asked Jordan what I was supposed to be polishing or refining and he said, " Your love and patience for the kids." Sad right? But I took that to heart. I knew I wasn't happy with the way life was going or how I felt about life. So now I have more of a positive outlook on the last 8 weeks. I feel like I really really needed them and I better change. I have been working so hard to remind myself of this 'refiners fire' that I have gone through and am striving to do better.
During one long night, I was struggling spiritually because I was in the 'why me' stage and so I looked up an article on LDS.org about parenthood. All I remember from the article is something that changed parenting and my role as a mother. It said that when we are blessed with children and we are raising them, we are doing God's work. I am lucky to be doing God's work. It makes the expectation higher for me. It makes me want to show compassion and love as God does. I am sorta in place of God, when it comes to teaching and guiding my kids. What an awesome job, right? Anyway, I think that what you are doing is God's work too. You are a servant here and you are bringing in His lost sheep. You are doing the work and bringing people back into the fold. I am so proud of you Dallin. When trials or hard times in the field come, remember that he is polishing you to make you more perfect and that it is necessary to go through so that we can be perfect when we meet Jesus Christ.
I hope Vance will not let himself admit that you are in Iowa. He says, "No, Dal at Bama's house with Chico." He's in denial. ha ha. He also said something this week that I am kicking myself for. I came to a stop at the stop sign and apparently he thought I came to a stop a little too fast and yelled, " Whoa, HOLY CRAP MOM!" HA HA I was busted! Anyway, things are great here, Jordan is animating and doing two small interships and we are still waiting to hear for jobs so keep that in your prayers. I love you and I hope this week is successful. We are always praying for you, your companion and the people you teach. We are proud of you! Keep spreading your sunshine, even if it is stinky!
Love you,
Chelsea
Awe chels, I wish I could help you :(. Yes new investigator, no I havent sent her a paper letter, no subway doesnt know me because my companion is lame and doesnt really like it, and yes it is very strict. Only MOTAB, pday ends at five instead of six, and we cant teach muslims without permission haha(tell that to everyone bytheway, its funny, and we taught one the other day). I stay with my companion for twelve weeks. We had easter dinner at the Dawsons and it was that awesome costco ham and a bunch o crap. so good!
I am so glad that your afflictions haven't gotten the better of you. Alot of people would wreck their lives over these kinds of things, I see it every day. You have always been strong like mom, and optomistic like dad. Im so proud of you. Sorry I can't write more everyone's waiting for me. I love you! Im praying for you.
Elder Tall
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