Week 11: Week of the Hualapai's September 14-20, 2021

 

Hey Everyone                                                                                                    September 20, 2021

 

After pday last Monday we went to the downtown area. Its kinda sketch but I've never felt unsafe street contacting or with any of our lessons. That night was different. I just felt uncomfortable right from the moment I stepped out of the car. As we walked to our lesson, we saw a guy on a bike. I love to street contact and thought "he's going slow enough I can strike up a conversation with him." I stepped forward and waved and then just felt like I shouldn't start a conversation. Weird. But I didn't. Which is also weird. I don't normally follow those types of feelings because usually they come from a place of insecurity. This was different. We continued on to our lesson which was so weird in itself but that's a story for another day. As we were talking she told us to be careful of a man riding on a bike. She said he is dangerous and if we see him to not approach because bad things will probably happen. I guess he's a heroin addict and yeah, not great stuff. Me and Sis Smyth looked and each other and freaked a bit. Because that was totally the guy we had seen earlier. That feeling I got was totally a prompting from the Holy Ghost! Which I didn't recognize in the moment. It made me feel like Heavenly Father really is looking out for me even when I'm not aware that He is. The Holy Ghost is so cool and it is so amazing that we have the ability to have Him as our constant companion. As we strive to live righteous lives we can have Him as an influence in all our decision making and isn't that wonderful? I really think it is. 

 

And the H is silent. The Hualapai's are a mountain range near Kingman, only like a 20 minute drive. We were able to venture up there a few times this week (which killed our miles sad day). It is so beautiful there. I've found after a month of being here that it is actually beautiful here! It sometimes takes time to see that something is beautiful but when I really look, AZ isn't so bad after all. And that is especially true up in the Hualapai's. Its so green! Well for AZ its so green! We got to meet some amazing people. One family we met are actually converts and they're story was so powerful and inspiring. It came at a much needed time for us too. Sadly we still aren't seeing much progress here. No one wants to talk to us and most of our lessons cancel on us. But this family really inspired us and helped me feel God's love for all of us. 

 

I've been struggling with feeling like a good missionary partly because it doesn't feel like we are succeeding in any visible way. And I just still feel uncomfortable with teaching and everything really. Except street contacting, thats my favorite haha. Anyway, It was just getting to the point where I knew something needed to change. I prayed for guidance and I felt really inspired to study humility. It felt odd because I didn't feel like I was struggling with pride... the opposite actually. And then I studied humility. I guess I just never understood what that truly meant. Humility means to understand your constant dependence on Him, that through Him we do all things. It honestly made me feel so much better. I learned so much in that study, which is still ongoing haha.  

 

Sister Smyth taught me how to play chess this week. I'm obsessed! Its actually really fun! We try to play during lunch or after 9. 

 

We also had the opportunity to help with a youth fireside for our ward. Boulder Springs is where its at! The youth were amazing. I was working with one group and then the bishop had Elder Jacobson (one of the Golden Valley Elders haha) join my group. It was weird teaching with someone that isn't Sister Smyth and even weirder that it was with an Elder. But it went so great and some of the questions the youth asked were holy cow so insane. One of them asked where God gets his power and then another one asked why God chose Joseph Smith to be the prophet and why Jesus was born when He was. Me and Elder J. just kept saying "oh why don't you take this one" haha. 

 

I love being in Kingman. It has been a wonderful place to learn how to be a missionary. I will be so sad when my time to move on comes. I'm hoping it's not thus transfer. I love sharing the Gospel with people. I'm not too great at it yet but with the help of Christ one day I'll make it haha. 

I love you all so much! (Also sorry if this email makes zero sense i wrote it over the span of the whole day in like five minute increments. Pdays are so so busy)

 

Anyways a chapter from personal study I loved this week was 3 Nephi 22. I got some great insights and if any of you read it some time (you should) share your thoughts and impressions :)

 

Love you all! 

Con amor

Hermana/Sister Snow