What a week

Hello my loved ones!

Okay I seriously don't even want to talk about how I hit my half way

mark this week....I got emails from both Josh and Dad. Haha. I was

talking to some of the sisters in our ward who I've gotten very close

to and they have served missions too and they asked me if ive taken a

nine month picture...so you can guess what that is...and yes! I took

one, but when I send it goes nowhere but to mom haha. But it's funny.

Anyway,  this week was pretty hard I'm not going to lie. Again. But we

had some comical moments that helped to lighten everything up. We did

however still see many miracles! Definitely tender mercies from the

Lord. So earlier in the week you know we went to Susquehanna which I

am still dreaming of going back to by the way. And we'll the next day

we went on exchanges. Which was very fun! But then on the way back to

end our exchange we had a sad experience. So a few weeks ago if you

remember I told you of a total miracle investigator. And well right

after transfers she started telling us that she couldn't commit to

coming to three hours of church every week for whatever reason. And

then she didn't show up for our lesson we had scheduled with her which

really worried me. Then we couldn't get a hold of her for an entire

week. Then only to have her text us this week with some terrible

things to say to us, which I won't repeat because they were that bad.

Simply put she went from very very interested and almost getting

baptized to anti. All within a matter of three weeks. It was all very

upsetting for me, because I had come to care for my sister in such a

short amount of time. I knew satan would work on her as he does with

everyone who is seeking light and truth but I honestly did not think

he would be able to dissuade her so quickly. And we don't know how why

or what happened to make her that way. But it breaks my heart that she

chose to believe whatever lies were told to her. I just pray the Lord

will soften her heart. Amidst all of this happened I found myself

becoming discouraged. Wondering if I had done all that I could to

teach her, to help her, and to allow her to feel the spirit. And for a

short little while, I didn't know if I did. But then as Sister Abana

and I thought about it, she came to three sessions of conference. She

had a miraculous experience with the Book of Mormon. She defended

Joseph Smith in hostile situations. She clearly felt the spirt and

understood the scriptures when we taught her. And she even bore to us

her testimony of these things that we had taught her. I finally

realized after praying long and hard that yes, I did do all that I

could. I fulfilled my purpose but she still has her agency. But it

still hurt. To watch someone resist what they know is true and what

they note their testimony about. It was devastating for me at least.

But I found comfort when reading Jacob 5:49 where even the Lord of the

vineyard says "...for I have done all. What could I have done more for

my vineyard?" I'm not the only one who has ever asked that question. I

know that I did all I could but maybe it just wasn't time for her yet.

In a day to come she will know, I know that.

Then a funny experience which was not so funny when it happened. First

of all so a few weeks ago after transfers we were on our way back from

the Mission home but we didn't have a GPS and we got lost in

Philly...😳...most terrifying thing ever. It's a fun city but not when

you are in traffic. So we got lost and the assistants had to come and

save us. And so then on Friday, after we woke up and we're getting

ready to leave the apartment to go out and exercise...we prayed, and

then walked out the door and it took me about 2 minutes to realize

that I left the keys in the apartment! After we locked the door behind

us...😱 I was mortified that I made such a mistake. So then we tried

to contact someone at the front office but no one was there at 6:30am!

So the. Eventually the assistants had to come and save us...again.

With a spare key but by this time it was 10:00am. So it's safe to say

that I had a little bit of a melt down because I mean seriously who

locks themselves out of their apartment?!? I was more worried about

wasting time. But as the assistants came up they were just laughing

because they thought it was funny to see sisters in sweatshirts and

sweats. But along with the spare key they also brought comfort cookies

because they knew I was so embarrassed and frustrated that they had to

come and save me again. So it's kind of a joke that the Assistants

always have to come and save sister Callaway now...☹️ but anyway, we

eventually got in and then all was well after that!

We are still having a lot of success here even though I feel like I'm

messing it all up😕 haha. And especially since our ward has so many

babies that just makes everything better! I love this ward so much!

Well that's about all for this week! Sorry it's not all as spiritual

as last weeks but I hope this one makes you laugh

But in all seriousness, I know this gospel is true. And I know that

the Lord is mindful of each of us and our needs and struggles. I felt

that more in this week than I have on a long time. I love this gospel

and I know it is true with all that I am.

I love you all so so much!! Until next week!

~Sister Amy Callaway~