JESUS WALKED ALONE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO

May 25, 2016

hey y'all! 

sorry to be MIA last week, had some technical difficulties with the ancient computers that we use at the library and didn't have too much time to write! 

to fill ya in on all of life's happenings here in thomaston: 

1. still being eaten alive by the mosquitoes 

2. rockin' the bast tan lines ever from my watch and shoes 

3. i am really finding my inner animal loving self, we have met so many people who have huge farms. this weeks favorite was the kittens we found while tracting. we are still working on convincing our landlord/neighbor to let us get one for her. 

4. i finally tried zaxby's (this southern fast food place, it's kinda like chic-fil-a, but not) 

5. officially a self proclaimed contractor due to the renovation that is happening on the other side of our duplex. i definitely ripped up a floor and put in a new one. 

6. THE COCKROACHES ARE COMING OUT OF HIDING 

7. i found what was eating the ripe strawberries, these nasty slug creatures. the cure for it is to put a can of beer next to all the plants. it attracts them more than the strawberries, and then they get stuck inside! kind of sounds like a lot of the people here in thomaston.. ;-) no worries, we'll teach them the word of wisdom and they will be cured! 

8. the oink joint. this awesome bbq place with fried chicken tacos, betcha didn't know that was a thing huh? it is. and it is delicious. 

i am LOVING being here in thomaston. i think i was destined for the small town life, i wonder what will be next...? :) it's funny how many people we already know here! not just members, but normal people in the community. they just wave to us and call us their "jesus people", it makes me smile. my favorite is when we drive down this neighborhood that is an entirely black community & everyone has to do a double-take at the two white girls driving by.. it is a hoot! 

this week i had one of those "don't you believe me?" moments from God. our mission president has been encouraging us to talk to at least 15 people a day.. EEK NERVOUS WRECK, but i have been trying to do it and get out of my comfort zone! one of my biggest weaknesses as a missionary is approaching people randomly, it is just so awkward sometimes. but i was reminded of the talk given by Elder Holland, "None Were with Him". He says so eloquently: 

"Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought greatcompany for our little version of that path-the merciful care of ourFather in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, familymembers on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers,leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companionsfor our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ andthe Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even ifsometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: 'I will not leave you 

comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].'"

what great hope and encouragement was i given when i thought of our savior. the one and only who knows exactly what it feels like to be alone, scared, worried, anxious, nervous, and human! thankfully, because he knows that it is like, he can help. as i exercised my faith in him, i saw a miracle. 

we were out looking for someone who had stopped coming to church and pulled into their driveway to see two houses sitting on the property. we thought about it for a minute, and then decided we would try the house in the front. we knocked and met michael, the man's grandson. we asked him about his grandpa, and learned that he was in the back house. typically, i would have just left it at that and moved on, but i remembered the challenge extended to me and i would not fail! so we started talking to him & it turned into one of the most spiritual moments of my mission. we read in the book of mormon with him in 3 nephi 11 when Christ comes to the Americas and the people's eyes and ears were opened to hearing what God would have them know. he immediately knew that there was a reason we knocked on his door first. he explained that he needed to know where he could raise his little girl and how he wants to be closer to God and feel him in his life. it was so powerful! i am grateful that i had strength and courage from the Lord to open my mouth and know that he was leading me to the people who needed Him. 

i am grateful for all the moments i am given to see God's love so clearly and to see His hand in all i am doing because of what He has done for me. i am grateful to serve Him, even in moments that seem scary! i know He is there for me. & He is most definitely there for each of you too! 

thank you for the love and prayers. i love each of you! write me back! 

love, 

sister bell

(I might have fallen into that hole.)