Wow. It has been wonderful to be here in Cherokee. On Monday night we
went to go visit this less active who is handicapped, but we drove up
to his house and it just didn't feel right. We felt very uneasy about
the whole thing. So we looked at our map to see what other less
actives we could visit nearby. We decided to go visit the Gonzalez
family. They weren't exactly close, but had been a referral from the
elders and our branch president so we decided to head up to there home.
The Hermana welcomed us with open arms and was so happy to receive us.
She just opened up and told us everything that had been going on for
the past few months and her concerns about her teenage daughters. It
was very tender to recognize the need for sisters here in this area.
This woman is so sweet. I just love her. Her yard is covered with all
different kinds of flowers and she has been through so much. She came
to church yesterday and fasted for the first time in her life! Her
first task for us was referring her sister to us. Since then she has
also referred her neighbor and another friend. Her testimony is
amazing. We just wish her missionaries could have been there to hear
her listen to her testify of God's love and mercy for us. We are
excited to continue to work with her and see what the Lord has in
store for her.
On Tuesday we ate dinner with "Mama Loca". She had us make our own
tortillas and told us about her missionaries. She expressed
disappointment as she told us about how they have gone less active and
one of them is divorced. Again, we wished her missionaries could have
listened to her testimony and hear how she had once had so many high
hopes for them.
We had district meeting on Wednesday. And we accidentally went to the
wrong district. :/ we were so proud of ourselves! We arrived right on
time and had settled in and started studying when the district leader
walked in. Our district was at the stake center 20 min away! So we
quickly grabbed all our stuff and raced over there. We literally
walked in just as everyone was standing to recite D&C 4 and for me to
share the missionary handbook thought I was assigned. Sometimes I
think the Lord just wanted a good laugh.
Our district! For the first time in my Spanish speaking mission I am
part of the only Spanish speaking companionship! We feel like we were
dropped out of Mexico City and into the campos with all the English
people. Haha it's definitely an adjustment. (My last district was 3
Spanish speaking companionships. We spoke in Spanish a lot because one
elder was from Oxaca and the other was from chile.)
On Thursday I surprised Donna from the Shiloh food pantry! It was so
much fun. We went early to volunteer and were just sitting there in
front of the pantry when she showed up. She was so excited. I love her
so much and am so grateful for the wonderful friends like her I've
made on my mission. It feels like I was a brand new missionary in this
area just yesterday, but the truth is that the time is flying!
I was able to play the piano for the primary yesterday- they have a
good sized primary! It was fun- there's a good missionary focus in
this branch. We feel really loved here. It's been a big tender mercy
for me. The Lord always blesses us in 10fold. And if we can't see the
blessings now- keep going! They will come!
I love this work and I love the Lord. I know that we are His children
and that He loves us.
Love always,
Hermana Wallis
This is at Hermana Gonzalez' house. She calls us her "medianaranjas".
went to go visit this less active who is handicapped, but we drove up
to his house and it just didn't feel right. We felt very uneasy about
the whole thing. So we looked at our map to see what other less
actives we could visit nearby. We decided to go visit the Gonzalez
family. They weren't exactly close, but had been a referral from the
elders and our branch president so we decided to head up to there home.
The Hermana welcomed us with open arms and was so happy to receive us.
She just opened up and told us everything that had been going on for
the past few months and her concerns about her teenage daughters. It
was very tender to recognize the need for sisters here in this area.
This woman is so sweet. I just love her. Her yard is covered with all
different kinds of flowers and she has been through so much. She came
to church yesterday and fasted for the first time in her life! Her
first task for us was referring her sister to us. Since then she has
also referred her neighbor and another friend. Her testimony is
amazing. We just wish her missionaries could have been there to hear
her listen to her testify of God's love and mercy for us. We are
excited to continue to work with her and see what the Lord has in
store for her.
On Tuesday we ate dinner with "Mama Loca". She had us make our own
tortillas and told us about her missionaries. She expressed
disappointment as she told us about how they have gone less active and
one of them is divorced. Again, we wished her missionaries could have
listened to her testimony and hear how she had once had so many high
hopes for them.
We had district meeting on Wednesday. And we accidentally went to the
wrong district. :/ we were so proud of ourselves! We arrived right on
time and had settled in and started studying when the district leader
walked in. Our district was at the stake center 20 min away! So we
quickly grabbed all our stuff and raced over there. We literally
walked in just as everyone was standing to recite D&C 4 and for me to
share the missionary handbook thought I was assigned. Sometimes I
think the Lord just wanted a good laugh.
Our district! For the first time in my Spanish speaking mission I am
part of the only Spanish speaking companionship! We feel like we were
dropped out of Mexico City and into the campos with all the English
people. Haha it's definitely an adjustment. (My last district was 3
Spanish speaking companionships. We spoke in Spanish a lot because one
elder was from Oxaca and the other was from chile.)
On Thursday I surprised Donna from the Shiloh food pantry! It was so
much fun. We went early to volunteer and were just sitting there in
front of the pantry when she showed up. She was so excited. I love her
so much and am so grateful for the wonderful friends like her I've
made on my mission. It feels like I was a brand new missionary in this
area just yesterday, but the truth is that the time is flying!
I was able to play the piano for the primary yesterday- they have a
good sized primary! It was fun- there's a good missionary focus in
this branch. We feel really loved here. It's been a big tender mercy
for me. The Lord always blesses us in 10fold. And if we can't see the
blessings now- keep going! They will come!
I love this work and I love the Lord. I know that we are His children
and that He loves us.
Love always,
Hermana Wallis
This is at Hermana Gonzalez' house. She calls us her "medianaranjas".
If you would like to write to Madeleine please use madeleine.wallis@myldsmail.net
For more information on what she is teaching please see www.mormon.org
