July 13, 2015

Last night my companion was really sick, and we got back from doing divisions with the Hermanas from Beltran.  We went out to work, and then came back feeling more tired than usual.  Planning took a while, and when it was just about time to go to bed, we put our pens down and stopped calling people and I went to change into my jammies. I was really happy because we had 4 set appointments that I was sure were not going to fall through the next day. At 10:30, right as we were triumphantly about to get into bed, my companion called me from the other room.  A hint of urgency in her voice.  And I went out and looked at what she held in her hand-- an afro pick.  "Is it moving?" she asked me.  And I looked and saw the slightest movement of a little brownish-black body with a bunch of legs.  LICE.  ROUND 3.  I felt frustration set in, but as I looked at the worried face of Hermana Knapp, I fought to change my character. "I think I am going to throw up," she said.

Long story short, we ended up doing the lice treatment and going to bed at 12:30 with grocery bags on our heads.  But before sliding into my covers, I went out into the kitchen and prayed.  And I pleaded to be able to accomplish all the things that we needed to do the next day, knowing that we would have to walk with all of our things again to the little lady who we pay to wash our clothes.  Surely she would think we are crazy for washing our giant wool blankets so many times!  And I told Him how frustrated I was because I just wanted to be able to work, and how we hadn`t been able to recently.  And then I felt it hit me... it has nothing to do with what I want.  This is not my work, it`s His.  This is not my work, it`s His.  I felt it echo inside of me, and I knew it was not from my own tired mind.  And as I knelt on our really dirty floor with a million papers around me and a plastic bag on my head, I felt a calm set in. That we make plans and set goals and do all we can to achieve them, but He shows us His will along the way.  And as we learn to accept it and be humble and know that HE is the creator of all things, even the little bugs on my head (as said by my companion), then we will find true happiness in the journey.  I may want to go to the four lessons the next day, and look for new people... but that wasn`t His plan.

I am grateful for all of the lice that gave me this new perspective!  And I pray that I never get them again.  But, always according to His will.

"God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take.
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head."

He does work in a mysterious ways... even through lice.

Division with Hermana Bushman

oh how I love these people!