The Week of Highs and Lows

September 22, 2014

The highest of highs and then the lowest of lows. Day after day. No one day was all good and no one day was all bad. But I think Sunday was the culminating summary of this week. Lets start the adventure!

Michele and Jo are amazing. The wall in their backyard has taken a pause while life for the both of us has gotten crazy. Michele doesn't care though. She had us over for dinner last night and all she seems focused on is us teaching her the lessons. She told us that she never got an answer about the Book of Mormon before, but now she thinks us coming to her was a sign. And she desperately wants to know if there is more for her to learn. She is so wonderful and I hope I get to see her baptized. Jo is crazy as ever. He believes in God. And that's all we can ask. He does like learning more and loves seeing Michele grow. They're such a cute couple. COMPLETELY different. Yet they still love each other. I know we're going to see miracles with them. She's coming to the Women's Broadcast on Saturday.

Our sweet Laura I'm worried about. We have no way to contact her because her Mom hates us and we're not even allowed to talk to Laura at the door. I know she's ready for this. I just wonder if it's the wrong time right now. We're still hoping to see her, but it's been a week.

Scott hasn't been seen in 3 weeks, but came to church 2 weeks ago. He works night and day. Brother Morgan has been able to make contact with him and be there for him. Again, timing is everything.

We've been working a LOT with a huge Hispanic family in our ward. Many family members are less-active because of work schedules but there are many who are not baptized. Abuela has 8 kids living within 5 miles of her. And they all have lots of their own kids. It's crazy to keep track of who belongs to who but it's been fun. It seems like they've been kinda ignored because of the language barrier so I was determined to be their friends. I'm learning more Spanish from it. And they love me because I'm the crazy white girl who thinks she knows Spanish :) Their attitude towards church has changed a lot from what I can see though so I'm excited about that. Who knows, maybe I'll return a Spanish speaking missionary ;)

Sandra is cute as ever. We realized though that the person we need to be focusing on is actually her boyfriend who's the member. He told us he's never had a testimony and hates going to church, but goes because his mom made him promise before she died........AWESOME! No wonder he doesn't care that they're not living the Law of Chastity. So we've switched our focus because we know she has a testimony and for her to move forward his issues need to be addressed. But the poor dear, she has lots of medical conditions. Saturday we rushed to the Emergency Room to be with her while they set her up for a complete blood transfusion. She stayed the night at the hospital and we were there til about 8:30 that night. BLESSINGS THOUGH! I saw the end of the BYU, Virginia game :) It was weird. I had this moment where life got kind of put in perspective. Here I am sitting in an Emergency Room in Pulaski, VA. Not at a BYU football game screaming my head off and having fun. I was happy and I'm happy being here. But then I realized how much better it will be 14 1/2 months from now and I'm at the football games..... I don't know. Life's just got a funny way of working out.

We've started teaching Kathy. Her husband, Ray, hasn't gone to church since he was 15 and really doesn't know anything about the church. Their son, Dylan, is the cutest 7 year old. They've started going to different activities with Ward members and are loving it. So we started teaching them and can't wait to see what happens. They came to church and seemed really happy. 

We have the really cool opportunity to be teaching an ex-communicated member in preparation to be baptized. It's interesting because we don't decide ANY of her commitments or how she moves forward. Everything goes through Bishop. But it's awesome because her son and daughter are joining the lessons, and her son is preparing to turn in Mission papers soon.

The whole week I had been feeling funky and gross. And I've also been getting these crazy terrible headaches. Turns out! I have a dry sinus infection!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How fun is that! No runny nose and cold-like symptoms, but still. No wonder my head hurt and pain meds didn't work. But I've gotten some stuff that works and that's been a wonderful relief. And then! Friday hit hard with being "violently sick" and other fun stuff. We spent the whole day at the apartment and I just laid on the floor with my bowl close by. It was lots of fun! But luckily around 6 I was feeling great and it only lasted one day.

Lets talk about Sunday. Who came to church on Sunday? Juniper's entire family came again and her father even said the closing prayer for Sacrament meeting. I swear a hush went over the whole crowd because they were so amazed. No one ever thought he would come back to church again. All he wants is for the girls to get their lessons and he LOVES coming to church now! It was the 5th week in a row they've all come together :) 

Kathy, Ray, and Dylan came and soaked it all up! I think Ray hears lots about what the church believes and he loves learning what it's really about. I think he was touched. 

Our good friend Jim came to church all by himself. His wife is a member and he has never been interested in ANYTHING to do with the church. And he came by himself. He said it was national "Come back to church day". We didn't push anything. But if someone could check if that's real and let me know. That'd be great.

Our favorite less-active E.H. came to church and brought his girlfriend with him!!! He's got a new job and should be coming from now on! 

Also, there was someone I've never met before. His name is Rashawn. I didn't get to talk to him but Bishop said he's interested in having missionaries come over!!!!! 

Can I just say, the Spirit that was in that Sacrament meeting was something I will never forget and have NEVER felt before. That room was FULL. And not just with the people who are on this Earth at this time. I don't even know how to explain it. "My cup runneth over". Only it wasn't my cup. It was like I could feel all the joy of past and future family members looking over their families making steps towards the temple. Almost the joy of Heavenly Father at the choices these people are making. Kinda like, "Good job Sister Packard. You're being faithful and obedient and this is the result." I don't know! I bawled all day at church! The Sunday School lesson was on Heavenly Families and then Relief Society was family history and temple work. It was a theme. And those family members were present. It was awesome. 

I won't talk about how it also ended up being one of my hardest days ever because it makes me sad. But this area is frustrating. And drugs are everywhere and tearing families apart. It's amazing the contrast you can see in one day of families so strong and uplifting to each other, and those so involved in drugs and other issues that it's tearing them apart. Sometimes I wish I could really help these people. But all I can do is teach and pray! 

Love you all!

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. Sister Wahlin farted while talking to the District Leader.

2. So many people at church and miracles are happening.

3. Sister Wahlin and I are the same size.

4. Sister Wahlin shares her clothes.

5. I finally made caramel popcorn. (why was I waiting so long?)

6. I ate at the East Coast Carl's Jr., Hardees! They have fried Bologna and Velveeta biscuits for breakfast........

Worst:

1. People's agency.

2. We're out of miles and will be walking a lot the rest of the month. (11 miles a day)