Missionary Chronicles: Experiences That Change You

Hola a todos!

 

How was everyone's week? First off, I just want to say thank you for all of the birthday love I received! It was a great day spent with my Georgia family! On that note, two of my cousins also had birthday this week! Happy Birthday to Erin and Aidan!!

So as you can tell from my email title, I had an experience this week that changed me. My whole mission has been full of these experiences at varying levels of intensity. I don't normally mention them in my weekly emails because often times they're super personal to me, but I felt like I wanted to share this experience and explain a powerful lesson the Lord has been teaching me. 

So on Tuesday night, my friend Angie was hit by a car while walking home. Sister Christman and I didn't find out about it until Wednesday and when we did find out I was absolutely terrified because we had no idea of how bad the accident had been. We immediately tried getting ahold of Angie and when we finally did, she told us that she was on her way to the urgent care to get checked out and she told us to come and visit her later that night. All day Wednesday I was so worried about Angie because I've truly grown to love her and see a portion of the love that Heavenly Father has for her. On Wednesday night when we went and visited her we found out about the miracle that took place. Even though Angie was hit by a car, she had no broken bones, she was still able to walk, and she walked away with only some bumps and bruises. If that's not evidence of the Lord's hand I don't know what is!

Recently the Lord has been teaching me a powerful lesson about empathy and love. Most of you know that I tend to have a very tough skin and I don't normally let things get to me. On my mission I've seen and heard of some very tough things that people have had to go through. Recently I feel like the Lord has been allowing me to experience and understand the pain of those who I interact with. This has been a super vulnerable and at times scary lesson for me. I'm not used to emotions affecting me in this way and so it's been a process in learning to understand it. As a missionary, the Lord has allowed me to see people through his eyes which causes me to love them in a way that I've never loved before. It's hard to see people you love so much go through such hard trials, but once again, my mission is helping me become more like my Savior. I know it pains Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to see us going through such trials here on Earth, but they have the eternal perspective and can see the end result. As the Lord has been teaching how to love and empathize with people, I've been able to gain a greater appreciation for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My testimony of it has grown and my understanding of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ has broadened. Christ truly suffered for all of our pains and trials. In times of trouble, there is no better place to be then on our knees in prayer. As we give all of our burdens over to the Savior he promises that he will make them light and he will guide us through whatever he is walking us through! I know this to be true! The Savior is the prime example of empathy because he has literally experienced the exact thing we are going through! Turn to him in times of need and he will meet you there!

I hope that this email has helped at least one person reading it. The lessons and experiences I am going through on my mission are truly changing me. At times growth and change are uncomfortable, but I'm reminded of a quote shared by an Elder who I really respect. He said, "The strongest stones are forged in the hottest fires". This concept of the refiners fire has become more and more evident to me during my mission. I'm grateful for the things the Lord is walking me through bevause I know that they are in fact changing me.

Alright y'all, that's all I've got for this week. I hope y'all have an amazing upcoming week! Take the time to review the messages from General Conference! They were all so amazing, and there is something to be learned from each of them. Thanks again for all of the Birthday love! I have the best support system back home!! I love y'all so much!!

P.S. Please keep Angie in your prayers!!

Hermana Adams 

1. Civil War Battlefield Hike last Pday 

2. I saw Hermana Crow and Elder Kortsen at Tranfers this past Tuesday