Stolen Headlights (Week 49)

Aurora on top of the causeway.

Week 49

Monday, August 17, 2015

Hi fellow human beings,

Yes, someone stole our headlights.  Sad day, but it actually wasn't.  When we unlocked our bikes I noticed that my headlight wasn't there.  Everything else was on my bike, that is because we locked it good including the tires.  It bugged me a little that my headlight wasn't there.  It meant I had to go get a new one.  I was already thinking about getting a new one, since the one I had was really dim.  I shrugged it off, I wasn't going to get it ruin my day.  We had some really good lessons and the day was great.  Before one of the lessons we were able to swing by a Walmart near by and get a new headlight.

What is really funny about this story is that in the morning when I was installing my headlight, I noticed that Sister Skousen's bike was also missing a headlight.  Someone stole hers as well.  That bugged me more, since hers was really nice, but mostly I thought it was funny that the day before we noticed mine was gone, but not hers.

Some sad news about this week was that on Tuesday we dropped Sister Woolley off at the mission home.  She flew home on Wednesday.  It is weird to think she is home.  It was also weird getting used to there just being two of us again.  We are going good though.  Sister Skousen is a really awesome missionary.  Of course she still has a lot to learn, but she has only been out for 5 weeks.  I mean everyone, including me, has a lot we can improve on.  She really is going to be an amazing missionary.  Brother Klietus in the ward has told her that she will be better than both Sister Woolley and I.  I think he is right.  She doesn't think so though.  I love her.

Another word on Brother Klietus.  First off, he is an amazing cook.  Yum.... The thing I really wanted to tell you is that he is Sherlock Homes!  Yep, I found him.  He has just done some major plastic surgeries and voice changes, but his brain is still there.  When I watch the TV show Sherlock, I think that there couldn't be anyone like Sherlock, but I met someone (Brother Klietus) that reminds me a lot of Sherlock (from the TV show.)  Brother Klietus defiantly has the gift of discernment.  He uses it to bless other people, but he also creeps people out.  He told us of stories when we sees a waitress, and he tells her sorry for the hard divorce or death or whatever it is.  He doesn't just take guesses, he knows because he is always right.  It is a spiritual gift he has and a lot of times he uses it to help lead people to the gospel.  He also has discerned Sister Skousen's thoughts a few times.  Again, he is always right.  This last time it was in Sunday School.  At the end of class he told her he heard her thoughts and that she had good comments and why didn't she share them.  She told me later that throughout class she kept having thoughts of things to share.  I think it is good.  I think it will help her come out of her greenie shell a bit more.  Although, she already some awesome at that.

Life here is awesome.  I'm a missionary, I bike along the beach and can occasionally see it, but can always smell it, the sea breeze helps to cool us down, I have Sherlock Homes in my ward, the spirit guides me, the atonement helps strengthens me, and my Heavenly Father loves me.  What more do I need?

One night I was a little down.  A few things had fallen through that day, but overall it was a good day.  I tried telling myself that, but it didn't change the way I felt.  We got back to the apartment early since we needed to finish weekly planning.  I didn't feel like weekly planning, nor did a feel capable.  After we eat dinner I turned on music softly.  I was hoping that would lift my spirits.  While Sister Skousen finished eating, I put away my clothes.  My heart was still heavy, so I prayed.  I asked for Christ to take it away.  He did.  The heaviness in my heart lifted a little and then I weekly planned.  By the time we went to sleep, I was very, very happy.  It is so amazing what the atonement really can do for us.  Before my mission, I knew in my head what the atonement was, but not in my heart.  I had experienced it a little, but not fully.  I still don't think I fully comprehend it.  One of my personal goals is to more fully use the atonement in my life.  I never have had a personal relationship with my savior.  I feel super close with Heavenly Father, but not with Jesus Christ.  I know they are perfectly united, but I felt closer to Heavenly Father, since that is who we pray to.  For a long time I wanted to have the same close relationship with Jesus that I do with my Heavenly Father, but I didn't know about how to go about doing it.

The spirit helped teach me that night.  The more I use the atonement, the closer I will feel to Christ.  It is so true, since that night I feel closer to Christ than I did before.  I hope this helps someone who reads this.  You will need your own spiritual experience to more fully understand, but if this is a start then me writing this was worth it.  Always know Christ is there for you, no matter what you have done.

Miracle: The day our bike headlights were stolen one of our appointments fell through.  We were sad, but we went to go visit a media referral from a while ago (the ones who moved here from Colorado).  They still weren't ready to meet with us, so we decided to track the street.  We actually didn't knock on any doors.  We just talked to a man outside.  Luke is pretty cool.  He goes to a church, but at the end he told us he doesn't quite like it and is looking for another church.  When we saw him the next day he told his girlfriend/wife that he liked what he heard and it joyed him.  Cool, huh?  I know God lead us to Luke and I am so thankful for that.

~Sister Aurora Pack