Volume 4: Springfield, Missouri - HOME

 

For those who might want a little more.

Being away from home has always been super not my favorite. I have been a homebody since I was a baby. I take my trinkets and my books everywhere we go in an attempt to take a little home with me. As we set out on this journey I packed 5 very overstuffed suitcases to bring with me. Not full of makeup, or shoes, but full of my art supplies and special little things. My dear husband had me scale down every time we made a stop before entering the MTC. I scaled it down to 3 bags. Making a home consists of more than just bricks and mortar. It is Welcome mats and flowers, table cloths and bedspreads. I have truly enjoyed adding bits of happiness to our apartment. I cannot lie, I am in heaven having a Hobby Lobby only 3 miles away.

Something I didn't count on or even think of was the peskies. Now I am grateful every day for God's green earth. Heck, my favorite song in the hymn book is "All Creatures of our God and King." The rain the sunshine, and even the bugs because everything has its purpose and place. In Hawaii, I had to adjust to the Christmas geckos. I was shocked once when I was cooking there, a gecko fell right onto the cutting board when I was chopping. As if to say, "Welcome Wahine." Here as I have been making beds, folding laundry, and even cooking in the kitchen I have found these darling NOT-SO-LITTLE friends. They are common house spiders out here. They are cobweb builders. So, I should not be scared of them. I should be grateful they are here and eating other bugs. But, the truth is, I am not. They are not fun. I don't like them. They are big and scare me every time I find one. I am sure it won't be the last of many 'little' friends. All part of adjusting. Hoping they spray for bugs here at our complex.

We went to our ward for the first time this Sunday. We are in the Ingram Mills Ward. We met a building full of kind folks. We met the two sister missionaries that are over our ward, went to a meeting for a convert who was just receiving the office of a priest for the first time, and attended a meeting with the missionaries to find out who they are teaching, serving, and where we can help. Our priority is the Library Center and the book scanning. However, it is nice to have a homeward we can serve in also. It's a relatively small ward. They didn't have to open the curtains in the back. It was well attended and we enjoyed it very much. I was so excited to go to church. We are really lucky to feel immediately at home in any of our churches for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ are the same no matter where we go. The comfort that comes from being in His dedicated houses and feeling the spirit is priceless. 

It was fast and testimony meeting today. I usually like to jump up and introduce ourselves on the first fast Sunday. But, there wasn't a spare moment. Everyone was quick to get up and share their love of Christ and their testimony of various gospel aspects. It was really refreshing. I think it is so easy to get comfortable and complacent in our lives that we forget to share. We don't realize how vital it is for people to hear what we know and how we came to know it. Christ is and should be the center of our lives. However, the world catches us up in the business of doing. Since being on this mission I have often wondered why we cannot feel and see things from an eternal perspective at all times. I know that it is because it is part of God's plan to test us. But, I have never felt more joy in my life than I have these past two weeks. It feels like a lifetime not just 14 days. I have got to figure out how to bottle this up and keep it with me. I am hoping you are feeling the love of the Lord in your life. Keep the spirit close and share your heart often. People need it. People need you. Your love and what you have to offer. Have a wonderful week.