So this day has been bitter sweet. Today it has been 5 years since my dad has passed away. I am so grateful and happy that I have this amazing gospel and the knowledge of The Plan of Salvation and the knowledge of each of our individual plans. But it's also hard being away from those that I love most to share this day with. My dad was the greatest example to me. He taught me to work hard, never give up, and always trust completly in our Heavenly Father. He never once complained about his life. He taught me that this gospel and our family are the most important things and we should alway cherish the good times in life. He was always smiling and could make anyone laugh. I never doubted that he had a firm testimony. I can feel him helping me every single day on the mission. I don't know what I would do without him and my father in Heaven helping me every second of the way.
This week reality hit me. As I got mountains of mail from my sisters and mom on Monday I felt homesick for the first time in my life. I cried as I read the letters and realized everything that I was missing. It was one of the hardest times that I have probably had in my whole life. I felt like I was being ripped in half. All I wanted to do was get on a plane to come home so I didn't miss anything else that has been happening in my sisters lives. But I wanted to stay here becuase I love my mission with all my heart and I love the people here. I prayed to have the comfort to fight and make it through. After I balled for a while I felt this immediate comfort and peace that I knew I was supposed to be here, and I could never deny that. Heavenly Father will take care of my family. If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be such a sacrifice and I would never grow. He let me have a little bit of home for a while and then brought me right back to where I know I am supposed to be.
Sorry. Whew. Sometimes we need to share of hardships with others so they can learn and grow :)
Let's get happy...
This week was FUN! On Thursday morning at about 3:00am our weather radio went off. YES! We had been waiting to hear what it sounded like, but it was pretty scary too... it was a flood watch. We were like ok. Went back to bed, 10minutes later it went off AGAIN! This time is was a legit tornado watch. We freaked out for a sec (like happy freaking out) and then went back to bed. In the morning we got a text from our mission presdient telling us to stay inside ALL DAY. We were not to leave our apartments. It was stormy and windy all day long!!!!!! Sometimes we freaked out, and sometimes we laughed and coudln't stop talking about how this really was happening. We made a whole video sequnce of the events :) I will send that soon haha. We also built a fort and watched some movies. It was a party. :)
Friday DAWN committed to BAPTISM! She is getting baptized on June 22nd AT THE BEACH! We invited her to a beach baptism some Elders in our zone were having and she didn't make it for the ceremony, but she was like oh well, I'll just have to wait for mine! We are SO excited! I seriously cannot explain my JOY!!!! She was the one who just walked into our church off the street. So we started teaching her and will get to end teaching her as well! Oh man. Seriously guys. This is the best!!!!!!
Then we vistited a referal that we got from HQ. Her name is Mikelle. She is AMAZING! So sweet. She actually got a gymnatics scholarship to SUU so that's where she's been going for the past 4 years. Her parents live here, but she was introducted to the church by an RM at SUU. She's so interested and even came to church with her mom on Sunday! :)
Mom- I had my first FRESH Mango off a tree. Nothing compares. They are SO GOOOD!!!!
R.I.P. Pip Steve Williamson. A squirrel that Elder Rowan ran over, who is still living. He was in the middle of the road, we went to touch him so we could bury him.... but he moved. It's really sad.....
Every single day I have convincing evidence that THIS is EXACTLY where I am supposed to be. I love my mission and I love all of you so much!!!!
Love, Sister Calder
