I'll admit I'm a little speechless today. I'm just at peace and contemplative. I'm so glad to hear how you all are doing. I love you so much and want you to know you are constantly in my prayers.
I love checking my email and hearing from you, Mom and Dad especially. Your letters mean the world to me. You encouragement, love, support, and hearing how you are doing makes my day. I think one of the greatest lessons I've learned on my mission is my love for you, my family. How much you truly mean to me. How much I admire love and respect each of you.
The more I'm in Santa Fe the more I can't get over how beautiful it is, especially the plaza. I'm not sure on much of it's history and we have limited resources, but Dad I would LOVE to learn more about it if you find stuff on it! The whole city just feels like it has a story to tell.
Santa Fe is very different from El Paso, and so our approach has been very different. It's got kind of a bad repore, but we're hoping to change that. To be honest, we've spent this week showing love. Heart attacking member's, less-active's and investigators doors, writing thank you cards, and giving service. Our branch is very small, and struggling. But I am honored to be here. We've been more pulling weeds from the vineyard rather than harvesting, but it feels good. It's good to be preparing good ground so we can plant good seeds. I've learned much about my Savior here, about loving those that don't love you, and not giving up. Santa Fe is different, but I love it.
Our Spanish branch is very small, in Relief Society it was us, the Presidency, and one woman. We teach Sunday School and I am now the Primary Pianist. Thank you for helping me develop the talent! I'm far from good, but they need the help badly. It's strange to have just met the people and to already be so depended on. I'm honored to be here and grateful for the opportunity to strenghten these people.
We have a few investigators, and they're moving slowly. They've been investigating the church for years. But already I've become close friends with them. One of them is a family from Guatemala, Ligia and Juan Carlos (& their 3 daughters and son, just like us). Sister Knight did hair before her mission so this week we did Ligia's for free. It's been so fun to talk to them and do service for them, leaving them wondering why we did what we did. I love their family. It's amazing to be able to relate to them so well too, They grew up in Antigua, which I've been to multiple times, and even been to the market their family owns. It's a crazy connection. I love them so much. I'm praying so hard for them.
One of our other investigators is Nery, Amariris, and their grown daughters, he's from Honduras and she's from El Salvador. He owns a sushi restaurant in downtown Santa Fe, it's NICE. They are VERY nice people! They signed up to feed us, and to our surprise, they took us to the restaurant, we sat at the sushi bar and he made us whatever we wanted to try. VERY nice people. I love them already! They are so different from people in El Paso, people here are so well off. And less willing to change. No one is married, and they take their time in their decisions. But I love them already as my close friends, and feel like we are leaving them better than we found them. And hoping for the best! I know Heavenly Father put us in Santa Fe for a reason.
Let me know if you have any finding ideas! :) Knocking doors isn't making much progress, but we're pressing forward and continuing! :)
Tonight we're visiting an old widowed member in the nursing home. He's such a sweet man and I love him so much! He reminds me of a cute hispanic version of Grandpa Gardner, mis-matching flannel and all. :) It's been so good just to put a smile on his face. We decided we're going to visit anyone who never gets visited there as well. We'll continue loving and serving all those around us.
I'm honored for this time to be here serving in the Lord's vineyard, I know with all my heart without a doubt Heavenly Father called me here at this time in my life to serve Santa Fe. I know I'm doing what he wants me to. I love my Savior with all my heart and will follow Him anywhere. He has led me through so much. I am such a different person than I feel I was before. So much has changed, refined. I feel stronger, more pure, cleaner, and have more love in my heart for the world than I could ever have imagined. I know this gospel is true with my whole heart and soul, nothing doubting. I know I will forever be changed for the better because of my mission.
A scripture that gave me much peace this week is D&C 24:8. He loves you. He is with you. There is a purpose for absolutely every trial in your life. Continue to find it. Seek to understand it.
TAY have a BLAST in D.C. you will love it!!! You better send me pictures!!!! Take it in!!! You are such a beautiful strong girl, you keep chasing your dreams and becoming whoever you want to be. :) I love you and want you to know I am always here, I consider you one of my best friends and am so grateful you are my sister!
Ren I am so happy you are loving college and your roomies! How is everything? Any good dates? I can't believe how much you've grown up! Amaris says hi. Everyone here envies your blonde hair! :) I love you so much. :) Keep having fun and keep showing that beautiful smile. Life is to be enjoyed, not endured! You're doing great!
Dill, I want you to know I love you so much big guy. You would love it here. I promise someday after I'm home we'll come back, ride the train, find some cool animals and check out the indian stores, deal? :)
Mom, thank you so much for all you do for me. You are truly selfless and one person I can always count on. I love you so much and pray for you often. You are so strong. Thank you for all the selfless sacrifice you give to me and those around you.
It's strange to think a year ago I was about to graduate from college, I never could have imagined what 2010 could bring. I remember finishing school and feeling so lost. I remember praying with all my heart for my Heavenly Father's direction for what to do with my life. To find a good husband, a good job, and whatever else He wants me to do, be and accomplish. I remember reading Proverbs 3:5-6 and feeling that was my answer. I kept trying to do what made sense in my head, to my understanding, but I knew I needed to follow him. I wanted to follow him. January to June was a trying testing point trying to seek His guidance. Now looking back, I KNOW it all happened for a reason. Heavenly Father guided me. I feel so close to Him. I love Him so much. I know He will continue to guide me and all who seek Him.
If the solutions to our problems were simple, we would not be able to stretch our souls.
Keep stretching. Keep growing. Follow Him.
I know if you put Him first, everything will fall into place.
I wouldn't change a thing.
I love you and pray for you daily.
Your baby girl,
Sister Lindsay Jardine
P.S. Give Tate and Boston a hello from me! WELCOME to the best family on earth!!!! :)
Love you all and have a great week!!!
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