Week 22 Come Forth as Gold

FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, CHILDREN OF GOD,

I will not lie, it has probably been the hardest week of my mission. I won't go into every gory detail but here are some of the highlights of our rough week:

1. Our sweet friend Denise texted us yesterday and asked that we no longer contact her. She said she decided that it was all too much for her right now and asked us to respect her decision and not stop by or contact her anymore. It was utterly heartbreaking. Tears were shed. But nonetheless God is good. 

2. Jeremy hasn't been responding to any of our texts and is completely avoiding us. 

3. We met a 12 year old girl named Leasa who we got to teach and who loved everything that we taught her and even asked if she could come to church, we were so excited. We then called her on Saturday and she let us know that we can't come back (AKA her mom won't let us come back) 

A few other things happened that were tough. But honestly I learned so much. 
I learned a lot about trials and obedience. Sometimes when things get really tough God is trying to see if He can trust us. Can He trust us to be obedient even when everything around us seems hopeless? Can we honestly say that we are his disciples in the highest of highs AND the lowest of lows? God know us each, individually and perfectly. We all mess up, we all make mistakes. We just cannot allow those hardships to separate us from the love of God and the infinite sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. 

After Denise had texted us I was feeling really low. I said a very confused and sorrowful prayer and just simply asked for Gods help. I was completely directed by the spirit in my personal study and was led to Alma 8. In this chapter Alma travels to the city of Ammonihah and the people reject and cast him out. His heart is heavy and he sorrows for the hardness of the peoples hearts. As he is leaving the city an Angel appears to him and tells him to lift up his head and rejoice, for he is faithful. The angel tells him to return to the city and try again. How incredible it was for me to read that story. It reminded me that as a disciple of Jesus Christ I must lift up my head, be grateful for what I have and press on. Me and Sister Schmutzs saying this whole week was onward and upward. We press forward, for we are disciples of Jesus Christ who has a great work for us to do. I know that God answers our prayers, that He knows us and cares about what we are going through, but we have to turn to Him and earnestly seek our answers. 

God gives us little tender mercies too, and boy did he give us those this week. We were able to reach our goals both for finding and for church attendance. Which was truly a miracle. We were also able to go on exchanges with the West Sac B sisters and they were able to find a new person that came to church! Zone conference was on Thursday and as always it was incredible and I learned so much. 

My older sister wrote me a letter a long time ago and in it she included Job 23:10
"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come
 forth as gold." 
God truly is refining me, crafting me into a masterpiece. I am grateful for my trials, I am grateful for this week, and most of all I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. He truly does know that way that I take and he is with me every step. 

Hope y'all have a great Thanksgiving, eat lots of pie. 

Mucho Love,
Sister Tams 

Other/Funny Stuff:
-We had a lesson at a members home last night and they have bunnies that are 10 days old. One of the bunnies started opening its eyes and the cutest 5 yr old boy James burst into tears. He turned to his mom and said "Im crying cause I'm just so happy." It was the most precious thing in the world. 
-We did a service project at Woodland community center and served Thanksgiving dinner to like 350+ people, that was cool. 
-I went on exchanges with Sister Gallew and this is her last transfer of her mission, so to say the least I learned a lot. 
-We are teaching this basher guy named Mario and he is pretty cool honestly. 
-The Riplies fed us on Saturday and legit made us a FEAST! We are going to their home for Thanksgiving and if it tastes anything like Saturday did I have a feeling I am gonna have to get rolled outta there. 
-We had to teach in Zone Conference and President AND the APs decided to sit in, I was SO nervous. 
-Pumpkin is the best flavor and I am thriving. 







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