Ups and Downs

 Kaitlin had a challenging week and I don't think she will mind my sharing this first paragraph, because to me it is such a great example of who she is---a young woman of great faith and charity and desire to be obedient.


"It's also been a little bit of a tough week because our companionship is not perfect.  Let's just say that much.  It's hard having spiritual experiences with Hna. Paipa, and when I try to remedy that situation as lovingly as I know how, she gets really defensive.  She tells me I'm a fanatic because I try to be 100% obedient.  She talks about home all the time.  Bah.  Really, it's not my ego I'm worried about at all; it's the fact that we need to work in unity, with the same goals and the same vision and the same vitality and the same enthusiasm, and that is not happening.  I felt drained this week and I felt like I couldn't be myself and enjoy life and the mission like I want to.  But as I was reflecting on the situation again this morning during my personal study, I read 2 Nephi 2:11 and it took on a sweet, personal meaning for me.  Opposition is required if we are to grow.  It is necessary if we are to be sanctified.  So I'm very grateful, in that sense, that the Lord is allowing me to experience opposition's refining fire.  I just hope and pray that I'm never an impediment in the Lord's work.  He knows how badly I want to serve Him and serve Him well, and He is supportive of that and quick to forgive.  I trust HIm and I repent when I sin, so I am at peace. I know He has a plan for me, and I know He has a plan for Eli and a plan for Clara.  We just need to trust Him a little more and trust that in His own due time, miracles will happen and trials will be overcome.

José and Miguel are also progressing.  I just love them.  They are so great.  Saturday we did a service project at their house.  We headed over in the morning in work clothes, accompanied by our ward mission leader and two young men from the ward, to help them work on the house they're building.  José was laying brick on the second floor as we approached, and his smile could be seen from a block away.  It was so much fun.  I feel so fulfilled and so at home when I'm working outside.  We didn't do much--just mixed cement and hauled brick--but I loved every minute of it.  I tried to take pictures, but my camera is dying and they didn't work out, which pretty much broke my heart.  But it reminded me of the days gone by when we were working on the shed (I don't pretend to have contributed greatly to that project, but I still have a few memories of it), and of working in the garden with you all.  By the way, Dad, trust me, I know what you mean when you say that you feel close to the Lord when you are close to the soil.  I feel the same way.  I'm so excited to work with you in the garden again.  I miss it more than you probably know."

Well, I should reread that last part about how joyful it is to work in the garden with Kaitlin's siblings who get to experience that joy during Spring Break next week!