Work

 

Hey y'all!

[Summary at the very bottom cuz I know not everyone has the time or attention span to read this.]

I've survived my first transfer! Yay! 

In other news I’m giving a talk this Sunday about preparing for the temple after baptism. So if you have any resources or cool ways you prepared to go to the temple send them in in. I'll report next p-day.🫡

It snowy here. There's like two inches of snow but they only have one snow plow in the entire state of North Carolina (I made up that statistic, it might be true it might not) so it's a big safety hazard & such. Mostly because no one knows how to drive in snow, or salt the roads and sidewalks. Bless their hearts (respectfully). Everyone here freaks out with winter weather and it's a little funny but also everyone thinks I must be from Florida or something because I shiver more than the locals. Humidity goes crazy I guess.

The few times people are meanish to us helps me really realize how much people are nice to us. I haven’t been bashed yet, I know it'll happen thus the yet, but sometimes people think we are trying to sell them something and they point at their sign that says no soliciting and want argue with us and we don't want to argue so we just leave. But y'all I looked up (via meta AI on messenger) the difference between missionaries and solicitors and we are in fact not the same thing, unfortunately the main difference is our intentions and people can't immediately see such a difference. Super unfortunate. But really and truly everyone here is pretty willing to talk to us. People love Jesus, although I sometimes have doubts about how much they really know the Savior. I especially struggle with the idea of only Heaven and H-e- double barbie legs. Like, what? I knew people believed that but it's so hard to see their perspective when everyone except the 28 people that are a part of their congregation are doomed. I know Heaven is going to be crowded. I know after this life we get to look forward to many, many, happy reunions. How can anyone talk of charity and also be okay with only 28 people you know going to heaven. And if that was your perspective wouldn't you tell everyone about the church you attend? Wouldn't you want to save everyone? It's fine though. Kind of. I just really like the plan of Salvation. It's good stuff. Actually the best stuff. God really, really loves us. And Jesus took care of EVERYONE, Christ's Atonement is actually infinite. I can't comprehend that but I know it feels good in my heart and it makes sense in my head. 

The other dealio with people, I don’t think this is South specific or a North Carolina thing but people sometimes say, “That church just isn't right for me,” or “I prefer blahblahblah type of worship” like, okay? But what does God prefer? It's just such a silly mortal perspective. The whole religion thing isn't quite about what we want or what we prefer, it's about what is true and what God, like the real God, what He has in store for us. Y'all I don't even like church all the time. You think I (or anyone for that matter) want(s) to give a talk on Sunday?! No! That's scary and stressful. But it's not about me! 

You think all of the missionaries here really just love getting bashed and having their hearts broken because people are enthusiastic and interested one day and the next day that same person says they'll call the cops if missionaries ever come back? No. It's not fun. But it's also not about us. (Shout out to Elder Bush & Elder Johansen. I almost cried when I heard them tell that story.)  

My dad told me to talk more about the work. So there's some more about the work. Turns out it is work. And it's supposed to be. President Holland has a quote something like, “Salvation isn't cheap.” Discipleship takes work. And it should. It's not supposed to be easy to become like Christ. Christ never had it easy. 

No one likes a story without a little bit (usually a lot) of character development.

I love you all. Please, please, please, keep doing the work. Cling to the rod. Look for missionary opportunities. Christ never had it easy, following Him will not be easy but it will always, always be worth it.

Still holding to the rod, 

Sister Owens 

Summary: This email consists of me saying yup following Christ's footsteps is hard sometimes because Christ didn’t walk an easy path.

Here's the link to my mission pictures album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMqcVg4i6kAMWJVH9