My heart is just so full right now. It's strange
but amazing how you can feel the spirit even in a little library in New Jersey.
I am so grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy. But most importantly the
freedom we can enjoy with our savior Jesus Christ. Freedom from heartache,
pain, worry, fear, sorrow. All can be whipped away as we put our trust in the
Lord... Man.. doesn't the gospel just make you happy? D
I am very proud to be an American:) it's interesting here in New Jersey that even though most the people are from all over the world. When we ask them what brought them to the states the usual response is the American dream. I've grown such a love for other cultures since I've been out here as well. But I am grateful to be serving in America and speaking English.. although I have learned how to tell people who I am and my testimony of the savior in Spanish. That’s about it..wow I am grateful for freedom:) (Sorry that was all over the place)
Sister Allen and I had a fantastic week here! I
love this area! There is so much work that needs to be done, and that's what I
like to do.. work:) But I think the best part of the week is no matter what
happens sister Allen and I are always laughing and having a good time:).
Monday
Such a fun p-day, we played beach volleyball in
Perth Amboy. It was a lot of fun to be on the beach and to hang out with other
missionaries. So after our adventure to the beach and also to an amazing
farmers market (I love fruit)
Sister Allen and I hit the streets looking for
people to teach. After contacting some people in Spanish we met this man named
Ishan from Pakistan. He wanted to learn more about what we were doing and as we
were talking to him his neighbor was trying to get our attention because he
wanted to talk to us. We told him he could come over to listen.. his response..
well.. I don't have a shirt on... our response.. well go put a shirt on.. so he
did and came over and talked to us. Ha-ha some people in Jersey are just crazy
but you've gatta to love them:)
Then as
we were heading home for the night we got a call from a member who we've been
working with and she told us that she was having some chest pains and she was
worried and alone and asked if we could come over. So we did. We sat down and
talked with her tried to calm her down, we called a doctor from our ward and
also called the bishop and asked him to come over and give her a blessing. As
we waited we read some scriptures with her. It was a neat experience as she was
given a blessing and she called us the next morning telling us that all her
sickness and pain was gone. An amazing testimony builder about the power of the
priesthood.
Thursday
Thursday was the day of the CRAZY rainstorm. I
have never seen a storm like this.. It was classified as a tropical storm
Sister Allen and I literally would be outside for 1 second and would be
completely soaked.
It was also the night we went to go play
volleyball at the church. The bishop asked me if I could coach his
daughter in volleyball.. :) So we went to go play with the Spanish branch and
man.. they are good! And intense. I'm very out of practice but it was fun to
play with them and to coach Abby a little bit.
Friday the Forth of July!
Holidays are so fun on the mission.. I realized
the morning of the 4th that this is one of the last holiday's I will have on my
mission. So weird. Sister Allen and I only had 1 appointment scheduled for the
4th of July so we spent most of the day knocking on doors and trying to find
people. We met this awesome man named Dave. When he moved into his house it was
completely empty but there was a Book of Mormon in the house. He told us that
he doesn't believe in coincidences he has read a little of it and he wants us
to come back and teach him:) MIRACLE!!!!:)
As we continued to try to find people we
received a referral from a 'Liz Clark'.. that was a strange moment. I don't
know if it was really from mom or not but it was a cool experience to think
about the missionary work that is being done at home as well.
Ok now for a funny story. As we drove around we
missed a call from our zone leaders, so we called them back. They didn't answer
our call so as I'm leaving a message. I had been stumbling on my words for most
of the day so the voice mail I left them was "Hi this is Sister Allen and
Sister Clark, we are just calling you BLACK..(note.. one of our zone leaders is
black).. awkward pause and laughter from sister Allen and I then an awkward
hang up.. oh man.. They will not let me live it down.. ha-ha funny moment.
So for our 4th of July Dinner we headed to a
recent converts home who wanted us to cook dinner with her. She is an
80-year-old woman with a bird named Chip. She loves crocheting and loved the
missionaries. We helped her cook a nice big ole pile of meat and also talked
with her about the title of liberty and how Moroni stood for freedom and for
his core beliefs. It was a great lesson and time with 'Grandma'.
As we were heading to leave she told us we
couldn't go because we hadn't seen the slide show yet. And we proceeded to
watch a slide show of pictures of cats and birds on her computer. It was great.
I love her she's such a sweet heart.
Then we met up with the other missionaries and
watched fireworks for the night. It was a great 4th of July a wonderful time to
reflect on the freedom we enjoy.
Oh we
also met a lady from the Philippines. She was struggling to open her garage
with full hands so we ran over and helped her and talked to us. She told us
that she is a Mormon at heart, but her husband won’t allow her to join the
church. She is going back to the Philippines next month and promised us she
would find a way to meet with the missionaries. As we drove away she raised the
pass along card we gave her in the air and kissed it and waved goodbye to us..
wow.. there are truly prepared people out there. We just got to find
them.
Saturday
Frisbee again and meeting more people, we are
also working with a woman named Mary; she is 58 but such a child at heart. We
brought her some cupcakes (the way to people's hearts) because she had been having
a hard week. Then we helped her pick out an outfit for church and then talked
about the plan of salvation. It was probably one of the funniest lessons I've
had with someone. She is a great soul. I'm excited to see her continue to
progress and change.
The ward here is great. All very tall like me. I
live among the giants. :) I was so impressed this fast and testimony meeting
how when the time was turned over to the congration immediately 15 people stood
up and sat in the choir seats waiting to bare there testimonies. They all were
so proud of the testimonies they have and they wanted to share them. So neat.
There was a comment given that I loved.
"The church is not a church of convenience. The Lord told us to put on the
Armor of God.. not the Sweat pants of spirituality." I loved that quote.
IT's true. We learn and grow through our trials. The lord see's our potential
and is not satisfied in just letting us coast through a comfortable easy life.
What would be the point in that? Life on earth was not set aside as vacation
time but "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God and preform
there labors" Alma 34:32.
But also
something I've really been learning these past weeks with sister Allen. It’s
about doing your best, enjoying the Work. And not raising our expectations for
ourselves past what the Lord has set for us. But doing our best to live up to
the potential and status where he wants us to be:)
Ok enough of my missionary soapbox, but I love you all! Hope you all have a fantastic week! :) The Church is true:)
Love,
Sister Clark
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