This week was indescribable. I cannot explain the joy that
comes from missionary work! I was able to go back to my first area to be
with my first companion this last week. The De Anza ward is amazing. It
was a beautiful experience to be able to go back and work again with
those same people who had changed my life so many months ago. The Soler
family, Maritsa, The Cuiniche family, Josue, Maria Galvez, Maria Guzman,
Maria Arellano, Dagoberto. I was reminded again and again of the love
of our Heavenly Father and I was able to feel that love magnified in
myself! I remembered this week why I love the work so much. Every day we
worked hard and we loved every second of it. I've never been companions
with someone as they've gone home so that was another new experience
for me. Hermana Castrillon was a great example of someone who allows the
fire of the gospel to burn inside of her and allows it to drive every
decision she makes. It was so hard to say goodbye to my best friend, but
I am so blessed to have been able to be with her for so long and be so
touched by her service. I know that she will continue to bless many
lives in New York!
These last couple of weeks
our mission has really talked a lot about FIRE. We need to let the fire
of the gospel roar and lead us along. We must work with passion and love
and desire. We need to remember the eternal perspective and what we are
working for. I see that fire in all the missionaries I serve around,
sometimes more brightly, and it strengthens my drive and determination
to let that fire burn my soul and refine me into the person who the Lord
wants me to be. Something that a friend shared with me this week is
that one of the attributes of fire is that it leaves a mark on
everything that it touches. That's why I'm here. That's what I'm working
for.
In Jeremiah 20:7-9 we read:
7
O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger
than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh
me.
8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and
spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a
derision, daily.
9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Even
Jeremiah felt at times that he could not go any further. He thought
that no one listened to him, everyone mocked him and what he was doing
wasn't making a difference. He determined to not mention the Lord any
more. He decided to give up. But he could not. The work was in his
heart. It was a burning fire in his bones. He could not stay. I cannot
stay! At times on my mission, I have felt discouraged, sometimes I have
thought that what I'm doing is not affecting anyone, but I cannot stop.
This is forged within my soul. I know that this is the gospel of Jesus
Christ, that we belong to His great church and that He is at it's head
leading and guiding us today. When I went back to La Sierra this week, I
truly saw how this fire touches people's lives. When I was tempted to
think that no one there remembered me or the things I had shared with
them, and at times that my time there was ill spent, the Lord gave me a
wake up call. People truly can feel this. It works! The gospel blesses
lives!!! The adversary wants us to think we are not making a difference,
but I know that we are. I have never loved being a missionary more than
now! What a great work we are a part of. I will never let this fire
die.
On Saturday
we had transfer calls. Guess what? I'm staying in Hemet! A lot of crazy
things going on in the mission, but I know I'm supposed to stay here.
I'm still going to be in a trio! With Hermana Babb and Hermana Horne,
and I will still be serving as a STL. I'm really looking forward to this
transfer and sharing the gospel with everyone! What a better time of
year to do so? We also had a training on a new video coming out for
Christmas called "A Savior is Born". You'll love it! Make sure that you
share it with everyone and keep that fire burning strong.
Los quiero a todos.
Con Amor,
Hermana Rutherford
Hermana Rutherford