FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND PEOPLE THAT I LOVE SOOOOO MUCH,
First of all, I know what Hell is like. It's like riding my bike in 107 degree weather, hot wind stinging my eyes, heat radiating off the black pavement as cars rush by emitting even more heat. Soaked with sweat. No one's home. Ok so I'm exaggerating and I can think of a thousand worse circumstances. But for me in my limited experience, that's probably the most physically taxing thing I've ever experienced. And it was rather spiritually taxing this last week as well. We taught... like 5 lessons this week. The numbers are sad, but we were working hard! Just no luck with finding people to teach. No one's home. Too many hippies! Never thought I'd ever say that... lol. But for some reason, the area was split for us to come get down and dirty and do some work! I'm trusting that Heavenly Father needs us to start difficult in order for us to be more grateful for the very few investigators we do have and for when we will have full schedules. Opposition in all things. I'm excited for when the work does pick up in our area, whether or not I'm there to watch it. I just want people to have the Gospel! People, it's all true! BE MORMON! lol. but really. Everyone needs this.
So since we had a slow week there's not much to report in that area. However, we had this giant missionary meeting with 2 members of the 70 on Saturday. Elder Echohawk and Elder Villareal came to speak to us. It was... THE BEST THING EVER! So many things made it so great. First of all, I got to be reunited with my quadpanionship! I could have had a panic attack in anticipation of seeing them. When we got to the parking lot, my companion and I started talking to some more missionaries that just got there. As we're talking, I hear "SISTER SCHIEVING!!!!" I turn around and Sister Graves is running at lighting speed with arms wide open to give me a hug. I run to hear and it was a joyous reunion! I was humbled because as you may or may not know, I struggled that transfer. I loved her like a sister and best friend, it was just so hard to share missionary responsibility with her. I just realized then, even more, that I should have loved her more and been more patient with her. Anyway, best hug. She just started sobbing. She was so happy to see me, I was so happy to see her, and then she started telling me how hard of a time she was having and just wished I could be there with her. I was heart broken and flattered all at the same time! I felt sooo bad that she's struggling so much. She's got very high expectations for herself and I know she's probably been stressing and working too hard. Cause there is such a thing as working too heard, especially when your body doesn't function properly like hers. I just... I cried with her. It was so joyous and so sad. But a wonderful way to start my day, reunited with her! We worked our way into the chapel to sit down. I just lit up when I saw Elder Satterlee and Elder Armstrong! It was so hard to be reverent! So all the missionaries gathered, it seemed like 200 of us. We had a short 'choir practice" and then we all went into the gym to take a huge group picture with the members of the 70 and President and Sister Miller. By some miracle Elder Satterlee and Elder Armstrong were placed right behind me and I got to catch up with them a little as things were getting organized. I've never been so happy to see people in my whole life! Of course when I come home it will be like that times a million, but you get the idea. And I had warm fuzzies cause I know they missed me too. :)
So then the actual meeting started. We started by standing in silence and went row by row up to the front to shake all of their hands. It brought the spirit so strongly, and it was President and Sister Miller's last missionary event like that. It was hard to keep it together as I watched them struggle to keep it together! Such a tender moment. The meeting started and here's some quick thoughts from the speakers. (from notes I took in the gorgeous leather journal my mommy sent me!)
Elder Villareal:
-Nobody is a waste of time. Disobedience is a waste of time.
-He had us come up with adjectives that describe President and Sister Miller. We came up with: selfless, obedient, inspired, diligent, loving, humble, long suffering, consecrated, master teachers, patient, kind, dependable, forgiving, prayerful, funny, happy, boble, christlike, genuine, empwering, thoughtful, charitable, honorable. He wanted us to know why we see those characteristics in them. Because those are all things they want for us, and to be even better. I thought that was powerful.
-Fruits of our labors: we're not just changing lives and people, we're changing their eternities.
-Christ already suffered for us. He doesn't suffer anymore. But the Holy Ghost does when he wants to be our constant companion and we're not worthy of him. And there are billions of people on the eart that don't have that privledge of the gift of the Holy Ghost. That's why we need missionaries! One of many reasons.
-When Christ said "come follow me," he didn't mean walk behind me and let me do everything. He meant walk beside me and learn from my example and emulate it.
Elder Echohawk:
-The adversary is the only one that wants us to feel inadequate. The Lord qualifies who He calls. We are literally set apart to do the work. We are His voice and His hands.
-Usually when we get callings we get some sort of manual. We did as missionaries too, but we have even more resources. We have the Lord. We are never alone in this work, it is HIS work.
-He told a longwinded story that I wrote in my journal that I'll share when I get home. Not enough time to type it all out!
Of course I could go on, but those are the most powerful and meaningful to me. The Spirit of God like a fire is burning! I just need to remember that on days when I'M burning. lol. Anyway, we sang "Faith in Every Footstep" (that's the song we practiced earlier that morning) and boy oh boy. I could not keep it together. I'm not sure I even sang! I was just watching President and Sister Miller standing in front of all these missionaries they've come to know and love. They were crying, couldn't sing, made me cry and I couldn't sing, it was a powerful moment and I was filled with so much love for them. Even though I had had limited contact with them over the last 4 (almost!) months. What amazing people.
After the meeting, I got to talk to my quadpanionship a little more. I was so happy to be able to talk to them and see how things were going over there in good old Cibola ward. Sister Graves and her new companion have a baptism for this Saturday! I was so happy for them! And the elders made an oath to be more consecrated. They are struggling but are seeing the blessings of obedience. I can't wait for after the mission when Sister Graves and Elder Armstrong will both be going to BYU and Elder Satterlee and I live pretty much next door to each other (he lives in Kearns) and our quadpanionship will be reunited once again! I just love them. I'll stop now. Lol....
So here's the part where I tell you my struggles. For some reason I am suddenly like... super shy! Maybe it's because I'm around peers. Maybe it's because I'm just comparing myself to a companion who is not shy in the least so in contrast I'm shy. But it's hard, I feel kinda lame sometimes. I'm not struggling as much as my last area, but still struggling. I'm sure I'll always be struggling as a missionary. But I am continuing to learn many things also. I loooove my companion. She's the greatest thing since sliced bread! And she LOVES bread. hahaha.
Well I just want you all to know how much I love you and how grateful I am for all your support! Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Keep on keepin on!
and...
OLIVE YA!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE,
Sister Hannah Schieving
ps I forgot my camera cord today, so I'll send some pictures next week! :)
Read Mosiah 5. BE CONVERTED!!!
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