More Than Tree Sap: We made it through the wilderness

Me at church yesterday

Yep, we indeed did make it through. Our week was...weird. We are hoping that this upcoming one will be normal. I got sick Monday night with a fever that lasted until Tuesday night. I think it might have been a sinus-related infection. I am still slightly feeling the effects, but it is a million times better than it was earlier this week. We didn't leave the apartment really at all on Tuesday, except to go to the church for training (the Zone Leaders would come from Roi Et when I was sick...). I felt really bad because I still had a fever, and I was not happy to be there at all. I'm sure they thought I was the biggest brat because I didn't participate at all. At the end they said "Okay, now let's get out and work!" - almost immediately after which, Sister Crockett says "Okay, let's get you home." I did not feel bad for not working, since moving at all in my bed took all my strength and will-power. But I am better now, so don't worry!

Thankfully I have a great supply of medicine from the States! :)

This week seemed to be really empty and weird. Not a good thing when it comes to missionary work. But this week we are determined to find the prepared people God has waiting for us! Mahasarakham has been a relatively slow area, but yesterday the Elders had 7 investigators at church! SCORE! Next week, we hope to have even more! :)

Have you ever felt like when you resolve to be better, some obstacle always seems to be put in your way? Or the better you try to be, the harder it gets? The closer we get to God, the more stretched we become as God raises the bar more and more each time. We use everything we have to get to the bar, only to find that it is a little higher than we thought it was each time. I know it is all part of the mortal test. I know what I agreed to, when I decided to come to earth, but I don't think any of us really knew what it would take.

Our journey into the wilderness. Gotta love Thailand!

The good news is that there is always something better to look forward to. With recent news relayed through my mission president about Granny's passing, I can't help but to reflect on how thankful I am for the knowledge of God's plan for His children that I have. I searched the scriptures and the words of prophets and apostles for a little more inspiration on the matter. I have prayed and I feel comfort in the fact that I know I am exactly where God wants me to be. Going on a mission was not only my decision, it was God's plan. I feel confident that He knew that this would happen when He made it known to me that I needed to serve. He always knows. He gives us no trial that we are unable to conquer. He knows that it is going to be hard and testing, but He also knows what good comes out of them.

I am not sad to hear about her passing, because I know that she has moved on to the next step in God's plan for His children. Life on this earth is hard, and sometimes it seems like it will never end. Sometimes we don't understand all that happens here, and we are often faced with choices and decisions that are hard to make. That is the purpose of this life. We aren't meant to be here to make money or have worldly possessions. This world is merely a stepping stone to the greater things God has prepared for us. It is not His design for us to remain here forever - there are greater things that we have to prepare for and look forward to.

Even though I will not see her again in this mortal life, I know I will see her again. Where that other worldly sphere is, I do not know. But I don't have to know to have faith. That's the point. I don't have to see it to believe that it is there. We agreed to come here knowing full well what would be required of us. We knew at some point we would be left behind by loved ones, and that at the end we would also leave people behind. But that is not the end. I am sure that if only we knew what kind of joy and rest she was experiencing, we would hope to be there with her too. But remember that we still have a work to accomplish here on earth. A legacy to build and leave behind.

My favorite scriptures right now: Doctrine and Covenants 58:2-5

2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.

And: 2 Nephi 9:18
18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

And then a quote by Elder Nelson from this past General Conference ("Decisions for Eternity")
"The aging process is also a gift from God, as is death. The eventual death of your mortal body is essential to God's plan of happiness. Why? Because death will allow your spirit to return to Him. From an eternal perspective, death is only premature for those who are not prepared to meet God."

I know that this life is not the end. I know we have the grand destiny of living with God again with the eternal family unit, if only we life worthy to receive it in this life.

I love you all!

Sister Norrell

Here are some pictures from our last p-day "feast". Of course, the food....