Happy New Years Eve!!!
If you haven't taken a moment to sit down
and write out your blessings from 2012 do it! Make some goals to improve
your life 2013! As a missionary I am becoming to love goals more and
more each day, they are so useful as long as we make a plan and follow
through with them! Thank you Leasa for sharing Bro. Freedman's talk
about refocusing our lives on what matters most. I think it's so true,
that as we sit down and really see whats important life seems to be more
enjoyable, you see Christs influence in our lives and remember the
importance of family and friends.
Sometimes the only stories we hear from Missionaries
are either the ones where they were doing everything perfectly and saw a
miracle; or where they were not following any of the rules and
something bad happened. You don't here too many missionary's tell the
stories of everyday experiences, today I want to share one that taught
me an unexpected lesson.
I learnt that God loves us. Before he asks anything of us he loves
us. We all have a "mission" right now whatever it is. Some days we
accomplish above any beyond what we are called to do, and some days we
allow our inadequacies get in the way. Today I realized that no matter
what the day is - God will always be there to pick us up when we fall
short. He will give us a second chance and show us our strengths when
all we can see is our weaknesses.
This week God showed me his love for me and by doing
so instilled in me a greater desire to overcome my weaknesses, to push
harder the next time. I could easily have looked back on this experience
with negative thoughts, I could get down on myself for not doing
exactly what a perfect missionary would do… but I don't think that's
what God wanted. He knows what I am struggling with each day, he knows
we are not perfect and that we fall short sometimes and everything I do,
he's there waiting to pick me up again and show me his love. He picks
me up and motivates me to work harder because of the love he gives.
( I'm copying it straight out of my journal so the first part is
just from previous that morning, but I think it shows kind of what frame
of mind I was in prior to the experience.)
" December 27th 2012,
Stil sick. I think the hardest part of not being able to speak the
language is how much it limits me to fulfill my calling. I have seen the
spirit in lessons- but not being able to find out peoples needs, or
help my companion with phone calls, or paper work and having her
constantly translate for me is discouraging. Today for out 12 week
training program we watched the PMG videos and I feel like it's so hard
to apply most of it until I learn the language.
(Later that day )
I think it's amazing how even on days
like today where I am sick and feel like I can't speak the language
Heavenly Father lifts me and reminds me that there are still people I
can serve. Today on our way to the Ward Mission Leaders house I felt
like I needed to talk to this one girl on the train, but I was really
far away from her, I wouldn't really be able to say anything to her, and
I'm super sick. So, sad to say I didn't talk to her and she got off on
the next stop. I was feeling kind of bad for not listening to
the prompting and thoughts of my many inadequacy's as a missionary were
about to creep in when we got to our stop and without thinking I started
helping this little old lady carry her bag up the stairs while I held
her arm steady. We couldn't say anything to each other - I didn't share a
message or give her a card, but the smile and thank you she gave me
once we reached the stop of the stairs was one I will never forget. For
that moment I felt her spirit and I could see in her eyes that a simple
act of service had touched her heart, I felt like a missionary. For the
first time since I got here I felt like I was acting as a Representative
of Christ. I only spent many 2 minutes with that little old lady - but
she taught me how to love despite this language barrier. She reminded me
that God called me to serve these people right now. Not just once I can
speak the language, he needs me to be a missionary today and it that
means simply showing his love through a smile of a helping hand- then
thats what I will do. It may not be much, but for now it's all I can
give."
Of coarse there are so many things I can do as a
missionary, even with what little language I know I can teach and talk
to people. But in that moment of discouragement God reminded me that he
loves me. He reminded me that I may not be the best missionary out
there, but that I have the ability to love others. By simply sending me
that little old lady to serve I was re motivated to work harder in all
aspects of my missionary efforts. Sometimes it's easy to be hard on
ourselves because of our areas of weaknesses, but this week I realized
that as we recognize our strenghts, they can help us over come our
weaknesses.
God always works through love, he doesn't want us to be
discouraged. The more I look for His hand in my life there more and more
I realize that He really is with me each and every day.
With all my love,
Sister Sulz
Korea from a Giraffes eye view!
1)
I got your package this week!!!!!!! You are seriously the best! I love
the story you sent me!! I'm going to type it out on here so everyone can
appreciate it! I'm going to send you a letter today right after I
e-mail, so expect one in the mail soon!
2) The little cafe we e-mail in is the best… haha Spice girls just came on. You would love it here!
3)
My advice for this week, is get to know the members!! THEY ARE
AWESOME!!! You won't be able to understand what they say most of the
time, but seriously the members here in my area are like my family.
'My Precious Child,
I
remember well the day you left my side, wandered through the veil, and
ventured forth to fulfill your earthly mission. I had a tear in my eye
as I clothed your spirit in a cloak of love and sent you off to school.
Be assured that my thoughts are with you
now, as always. I love you with all my heart, I know you individually. I
know the good and the bad, your grief, your disappointments, your
unrewarded efforts, your frustrations and temptations; but always
remember… All that I have is yours, if you will only come home again.
Please realize that my children are worth
more to me than anything else. In you I have placed a bit of heaven.
There were no exceptions. I love al my children. You have a special
gift, some talent, some part of my in you. Search for it, develop it,
use it, and most importantly share it with others. Show your love for me
by serving your brothers and sisters and leading them to me.
Continually listen to others who are
trying to teach you my gospel and incorporate it into your life. Try to
humble yourself and repent of your mistakes. Your older brother and
friend, Jesus Christ, came down to earth and lived a perfect life. All
that he did was for you. He suffered and died so that you could repent
and come back home. We love you more than words can express.
I gave you weaknesses so that you can be
humble; don't be angry with me for that. I did it because I love you.
Always be full of hope; don't let discouragement overwhelm you. I am
here and will come when you need me. Try to bring peace into your homes
and friendships. It breaks my heart to see my children fighting. You,
my faithful child, are my hope. You have been saved for this special
time in history for a reason. I trust you to be valiant and strive to
accomplish the special mission that I gave you before you left me. I
will help you in anyway that I can. I am always nearer to you than you
realize. There is so much that I long to share with you.
Come to me in prayer often. I love to talk
to my beloved children. Be diligent in my work and my kingdom shall be
yours. I would love to take you in my arms and embrace you with my
love, but I too much wait patiently. Until that day, when I will see you
again, I leave with you my peace, my blessing and my love. Never forget
that I am here if you need me.
My love for you is unconditional and endless. I miss you very much and long for you to return to our eternal happiness.
All my love,
Your Heavenly Father'
The street she walks on every day.
In the Metro.
Apartments
Typical Street View
View from Apartment window.
