Monday, October 20, 2014

In Which Nora is Off the List and I Get Kicked in the Teeth (Figuratively)



Oh, heavens. It's been quite the week. I have this issue in my life where I really want to tell all of you all the things that happened this week, but I do not want to type it all out and make it all coherent and nonsense. I shall press forward, though, because I wouldn't be very happy with myself if I didn't. 

Remember our song? Yeah, it's pretty cool. Remember how we were going to sing it for the Mortensens? Yeah, we did that on Tuesday. It was quite the party. They have basically the cutest dang family in the whole world. We sang our song, everyone freaked out, and then out of nowhere they decided to go to Chill (The Milkshake Bar) to see their oldest daughter, Sophie. So, we went to Chill, and we played our song for everyone there. Our high councilman walked in right as we started to rap. #awesome

Thursday - yes. We went in for interviews with the mission president, which I always really like. I was all excited to talk to him, but when we sat down, I was basically chewed out. Now, I've never really been chewed out in my life - I kind of avoid that sort of thing. It was honestly one of the hardest things I've ever had to sit through. The basic idea of the whole thing was that I wasn't living up to my potential, and that I was sitting in this sort of comfortable mediocrity. I spent the rest of the training beating myself up for being the worst missionary of all time and very much wanting to just go home. After the training was done, President pulled me aside again and asked what was wrong. I cried (again) and told him that I didn't know what to do, seeing as I had no idea how to go from being the worst missionary in the world to a good one. He explained that there was nothing wrong with me, he just wanted more of me, that he needed me and that I could do so much more than I've been doing.  

I've spent quite a while soul searching these past few days. I think I've just been so sick for so long that I got used to not doing too much, and that put me into what President Mortensen referred to as my "comfortable mediocrity." Was I doing anything wrong? Not really. Was I doing good things? Yes. Was I doing all I could? Definitely not. He really was just frustrated with me because he knew I could do so much more. It was hard to swallow, and I've been doing a lot of repenting since then, but oh, man, has it made a HUGE difference. We've been working so much harder, and I've been happier - even though I'm freaking tired. 

Whilst on our adventures this week, we had dinner with the Ashbys'. I LOVE the Ashbys. After dinner, Hunter, their 14 year old, showed us a Vine of Nora, a small child. Nora's sister walks up and says, "Nora, you're off the list." Nora then yells, very loudly, "THAT'S NOT VERY NICE!" It's hilarious. We've been quoting it all week. 

I was also able to sing at the mission president's fireside last night. It was an incredible experience - I'd been struggling with this song all week, and once I decided to let the Lord help with the performance, it went so well. All of the things I struggled with worked out perfectly, and it was just great. So many people thanked me for it, and I was so happy to be able to help them feel the Spirit. Ah - so cool. 

I was also able to find out - from a most reliable source - that I am being transferred, so I already knew when they called. I have no idea where I'm going, but I'm pretty stoked. I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I can. 

I sure love and appreciate y'all!

Love, Sister Lil-jen

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