God is at the Helm

Waste and Wear Out Our Lives

High council speakers often get a bad rap for being boring. But sometimes they say some truly profound things. Like yesterday, Brother Mantzke said "the Pioneers truly wore out their shoes and wore out their lives to gather the saints." I thought it was appropriate to pioneer with "missionary." "the Missionaries wore out their shoes and wore out their lives to gather then saints."

Yes that is what we do, it reminds me of this verse:

D&C 123:13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

And that is what missionaries truly do. I have worn through two pairs of rainboots and have totally trashed all my shoes, clothes and purses because I love seeing people's lives change. Every day I come home feeling like I've just been snowskiing, my body is so tired. And it is worth it.

What an amazing blessing to be a missionary!

Monday evening we were knocking doors in an apartment complex and we came to door 205, a young woman answered and just said, "no, we're good." so we turned around in the narrow hallway and knocked on the door exactly opposite. A Hispanic woman answered, and I used my meager Spanish skills to tell her, "we have missionaries who speak Spanish, would you be interested?" She answered yes and I scrounged up more Spanish to tell her how to get a hold of them. Just as I was finishing the conversation, the young woman at the other door opened it again. She told us she kept having this feeling to invite us in. She introduced herself as Abby and her sister Ashley came in as well. Abby is single and Ashley is married, but her husband is on deployment so they're living together until he comes home. Sister Pluim and I thought we would teach the Restoration, but when a question about Heaven and Hell came up we switched to the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit truly guided our words and Abby and Ashley felt the Spirit strongly. It was one of those experiences when you know you are doing your job. The gospel is so true!

Sometimes Heavenly Father does this thing where He puts you in a place and just when you love it so much that you could stay there forever and never leave, He grabs you out and sends you away! That's right, I'm getting transferred! After two wonderful transfers in this amazing area, I'll be going to Silverdale 6th ward with Sister Stallings, who is from one of my favorite places in the world, Logan, Utah! Neither of us have ever served in Silverdale 6th before so it will be nothing short of an adventure! This will be my third time "doubling in" and my second time "doubling out" because Sister Pluim is going all the way up to Port Angeles to train a new missionary! So crazy things are happening.

I have learned so much in Manette Ward and it is so sad to be leaving so soon, but it is time to say good-bye. Luckily Abby and Ashley won't be left behind because new Sister missionaries will be coming in!

God truly is at the helm of this great work, He decides where each person needs to be at what time for a very specific and divine reason. And I can not wait to find out what He has in store for me!

All my love,

Sister Megan Monson

Saying Good-bye to Bremerton Manette Ward