So ya, this week went by quickly. I can't even remember what happened..
I got to talk to President Porter on the phone this week! That was great! (: He is amazing. And super helpful. And full of inspiration and revelation. So I called him and had some things to tell him about, and then we started talking about my visa. I had mentioned to him a couple weeks ago in my email to him that I had been struggling with being out here. I was trying to figure out what I needed to do and where I needed to be. So I mentioned it to him to see what he said. And he responded that he loves me and that he needs me here. And that I am supposed to be serving a mission, that I'm doing what is right and I'm where I'm supposed to be. It was super comforting. I didn't mention much back after that, I just took his words and went on with my mission! And so on this phone call he said he was dying to know what I was thinking after he said that. Ha! So I told him he was right. And that I had been talking about it with my dad and that I should be here (Dad, I am so unbelievable grateful for all you do for me and help me with. Thank you. I love you). President then said that what I'm going through, with waiting for my visa, is very important and painful, and that he knows that, but he also knows that it will bring me much joy in my life. That I am learning so much here that will bless me in my life. He says that it's hard to see now, and he's not even sure why or how this will help me, but he knows that it's for a reason, that I will need the knowledge I'm gaining (and also the virtue of PATIENCE!) later on in my life. He said that it's tough, but that I am a gifted, brilliant and capable woman. He said that he's impressed and proud of how I've been handling it, and that if he was going through what I was that he couldn't handle it as well as I am (I think he's just saying that). (; He says that I obviously have much to do here in Ohio. So I'm gonna just keep working and trust in the Lord and know that he knows what he's doing. He knows better than I.. I guess (; I'm grateful for President Porter. And I'm also grateful for Dad. Because everything that President said, is exactly what Dad has told me. I'm surrounded by amazing Priesthood leaders! It's great! (:
Guess what?! Do you know what Thursday is?! ........ 9 months! AH! Can you believe it?! I'm halfway through my mission. Mind blown! I can't even believe that I have made it this far. All I have to do is do what I've already done and then I'm done! If that made any sense... I keep thinking about how Sydney is home for the summer. Then she goes to fall semester. Then I'm home! That's like no time at all! It's starting to scare me... I can't believe this! I'm freaking out a bit. I don't want it to come! Darn time. Haha. But it's exciting.
Here's a fun story! Kind of. Ha! Sister Lee bought some mouth numbing stuff because she bit her cheek real hard and it was hurting, so she bought something to help it. She gave me some just to try it out, so I numbed my tongue. Haha! Then we had the brilliant idea to see if when we put it on like chapstick if it numbed our lips. So we tried it! Oh gosh, it was hilarious. And it worked! It was a weird feeling! It reminded me of when I got my wisdom teeth out and thought I was fat. It felt like that. I thought my lips were huge! I couldn't feel them. So we had numb lips and went and knocked on someones door and I felt ridiculous. We couldn't talk very well. It was silly (: And fun!
It's spring time in Ohio! It's beautiful! The weather is great and trees are pretty! You know the trees that line our fence back in Oregon? I think they're pear trees.. Or something. I don't know. And they don't really smell super delicious? Well, I like them, it smells like childhood and playing in the backyard. But to others, it's kinda stinky. Sister Lee calls them "fish stick trees" cause that's what she thinks they smell like. Ha! Well, they're EVERYwhere here in Ohio! I cannot believe it! And this last week they all just exploded in blossoms! It was gorgeous! Although, they went quickly. They're already turning into leaves.. But they smelled like childhood and looked beautiful! Things are turning green here! Thank goodness. Everything looked dead before. Now it's living! Woohoo!
We got to check out YouTube yesterday, and on the home page, at the very top, the biggest ad, was the video "Because of Him!" WHAAAA?! COOL! Way to go church! It looked great! How exciting is that?! You guys. The work is hastening. It's begun! If you haven't seen that video yet, go watch. It's my favorite! I love it. I just think it's so cool (:
Well.... That's about it! Not much else happened. Just preaching the word and having fun (: The gospel is true, Christ lives, Joseph Smith is a prophet, the Book of Mormon is true, how blessed we are to know and have that in our lives. I loved being able to celebrate Easter! How blessed we are that Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave His Son. And that Jesus Christ was so willing to lay down His life, for His friends, for us! And that we are able to repent and receive forgiveness and become better every day! Because of Him! It's a miracle. I love my Savior. He is always beside us, we are never alone.
I love you all SO much!
Send me mail! (:
Love,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn
P.S.
I guess the Easter Bunny doesn't like Ohio, cause I got nothin! (; But the members here in Milford are amazing! They gave us lots of candy. And now I feel sick. And fat. But it was delicious! We had dinner over at the Newberry's. It was fun. And the potatoes were delicious. She had family over, so it was fun to be with a bunch of family (: I hope your Easters all went well! I was thinking about you lots! I love you all so much! What a great and happy thought to know that we will be together forever! Yay! You're all stuck with me! (:
Amo vocĂȘs!
1.Pretty little place! So I got a picture in it! (:
2. Companionship! We asked a really nice old man to take our picture. He was cute. He was super shaky while trying to get it, and he took quite a few on accident. Then he told us that he and his wife took photos at that very spot with their family about 60 years ago! CUTE!
3. Pretty. Spring.
4. So Sister Lee and I are trying to plan a trip to the ZOO! YES! And I told her that I would love to ride an elephant. Or a giraffe! And she thought that was the funniest thing! To ride a giraffe. So she drew a picture of it. Hahah! Hopefully this will become real life when we go! (;
5.Saw this street sign and I made Sister Lee pull over so I could take a picture with it! Cool! Clarawill serve the Lord! (:
Well that's it. I love you (: All. Lots. And lots.
Thinking of you! And praying for you all too!