Welcome to Yakima, land of the fruit, home of the goats.
We love Yakima. Once again, I've been doubled-in to an area
that's had Elders for a considerable amount of time. This are hasn't had
Sisters for 15 years. The ward is so excited to have us here! And, we are so
excited to be here.The weather is just starting to have a tinge of that
beautiful crispness that tells us Autumn is on its way. With Autumn will come
Apples, Halloween, Colorful leaves, and shorter days. I love Autumn so
much.
The people here have been exceptionally kind to us. The
members here have been really good about sharing the restored gospel with their
friends, and they are excited to invite us to meet their loved ones. We are so
grateful for the effort and courage on their part. There are few things that
can make me as happy as a person anxious to share the gospel with his/her
friends and family.
People here have also been kind enough to give us pears,
plums, apples, and peaches. Blessings have been poured out upon us here. We get
to eat with members every night, which brings joy to my soul, because we get to
come into their homes, meet them and feel of their spirits and encourage them
as they participate in this great work of salvation.
We have probably received more mail this transfer than any other
apartment in the mission- all thanks to you wonderful people who are so kind to
us. It helps that Sister Allred and I both had birthdays. I promise to try to
write to the people who wrote to me, be patient with me, please!
Speaking of Birthdays, I would
be highly remiss if I did not mention that my oldest Nephew Carter had a
birthday very recently, and that I hope that it was full of greatness.
One of the packages we received this week contained DVDs of
Mormon Messages- which makes me so glad because I rediscovered this video that
made me cry tears of joy. (And if you know me, you know that I don't cry too
often... I'm a tough girl)
My message this week is that there are indeed good things to
come. I know that. If we keep pressing forward and refuse to give up, then
there is help and kindness waiting around the bend.
Sometimes our Heavenly Father asks us to wait and be patient
for a little while until we are humble enough or the circumstances are right
for the blessing. Sometimes we didn't know it, but the trial was a blessing. I
have seen that so much being doubled in. When we have no idea what we are
doing, and we feel so inadequate, we learn to rely on Christ. We learn that we
don't have to be good enough because He is good enough. Sometimes we get so
frustrated with ourselves because repentance and learning and healing take time
and we want them to be immediate, or we become depressed because we wonder
"If help hasn't come yet, who's to say that things will ever get any
better" I testify that help and healing and confidence and answers come in
time. Ether 12:6 tells us that a witness comes only after the trial of our
faith.
That is the way it HAS to work. We can't have all of the
answers now, or it wouldn't be a real test. It's kind of like when I knock on
somebody's door and they refuse the Book of Mormon because they don't want to
add to the Bible. We could talk scriptures and logic and history forever but
the real answer that has to come first is the one that the spirit gives when
you read for yourself. Conversion comes first, then answers. Not the other way
around. You have to have faith first, then things work out. If you try to
switch up the order you will not find yourself becoming what God wants you to
be.
I promise that there are good things to come. Until then I
remain your devoted friend,
Sister Caroline Faulkner
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