Week 21

Dear Family,
 
I pre-wrote this email at home today so that I would have more time to think about it. I hope that I can say things to uplift all of you, but I have to admit we hadn't cleaned yet, so no promises. :)
 
My heart is breaking for so many of you. I really just can't believe how many of you are struggling in so many different ways! I really wanted to uplift you in some way, so if this email sounds dumb, maybe read it out loud... I'm not the most terrific "in writing." :)
 
As I reflect on this week, I'm really noticing something that stands out to me. We had some really tough moments. But everything ended up being okay in the end. Jamie dropped us, but we ran into her at Wal-Mart today and she wants to see me again before I get transferred (if I ever do...), Naomi got anti-ed, even though she received a spiritual witness that it is true, and a woman last night knew just exactly how to mock me in ways no one has ever done before, nor had I imagined they would. I don't think that I've ever really cried after leaving a doorstep, but I did then. I had to immediately go to the next door, but after that I just had to go back to our car and cry. I really felt like angels were with us then. And as we were sitting in the car and praying, I heard something inside of me whisper, "you don't know, but I was standing with you the whole time."
 
When we share the first point of the first discussion, we tell people that our Heavenly Father weeps with us when we weep. Last night, I realized He was crying with me as I cried. I know for myself now the truth that He really does cry for each of you and the Savior is really standing beside each of you.
 
In his talk, "The Character of Christ," Elder Bednar talks about the difference between what Christ does when people hurt Him and what others do. Christ always turns outward  while our natural instinct is to turn inward. My advice to each of you is to do the same. As President Monson says, "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." In time of crisis, always turn outward.
 
This week we decided to go see one of our investigators that we haven't seen in a couple of weeks. She's having a really hard time. She has been sexually abused since the age of six and had a daughter from a rape. It took her years to tell anyone, especially her daughter. She also is the survivor of a Residential school and has spent a lot of her life trying to recover from that. She has overcome many addictions and almost died from some of them. She recently walked in on her boyfriend of one year with another woman. Many of the family members in her home are still addicts and live in darkness. Yet she still believes in God and His love for her. Seeing her and lifting her up really gave me the strength to go forward. She needs to be baptized so badly! The only thing I can think of when I see her is Christ saying to the Nephites, "Come and let me heal you."
 
I know He will heal you. Reach outward; we really do live in a fallen world and I know so many people out there are silently suffering. I know this week was hard for so many of you, but when I look back, I can't help but feel grateful! I got to clean the chandelier in the celestial room! Naomi hasn't dropped us just yet! After everything yesterday, we still found a new investigator! One woman who I didn't think would be interested really wants to read the Book of Mormon! A temple is being built in Pittsburg!!! We get to see President tomorrow. :) I could go on. God really has been there for me this whole time. He can't stop the adversity in our lives because it needs to be there. But He can make the best moments that much better and He does want to bless us in any and every way He can. He wants to eventually give us His fulness! And He is so pleased with each of you. I know if you look for the signs of His love, you really will find them.
 
"And now behold. if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.
 
"And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin  (2 Nephi 2:22-23)."
 
I know this is true. I see it in my own life. There really are hands that hang down and people that are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it--therefore we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing hidden to light all the hidden things of darkness  (D&C 123:12-13)."
 
I love you all! "Let us cheerfully do all things which lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for His arm to be revealed (D&C 123:17)."
 
Sister Thomson
 
PS. Mady ignore this email--you don't need it. :) :) Mady is going to Europe and the Amazon.
PPS. It took me as long to type this out as it did to write it.....