170 years ago on May 11th a boat docked in Denmark, Copenhagen and a missionary greeted his new home. Peter Hansen set feet on Danish soil at 4am where he began his journey that would impact the lives of thousands of individuals, create the history of the Lords church, and change my life forever.
Flash forward.
To commemorate the arrival of Elder Hansen, on Tuesday May 11th, 2020 each set of companionship committed themselves to complete 6.5 hours of facebook finding. (The sum total of our hours spent finding would total 170).
So that is what we did.
Flash a little less backwards
I haven't been very happy, at least I wasn't very happy for a while. Probably for about a month or so, I'm not totally sure. I felt joy, when we taught and did missionary work. I felt the peace and comfort of my Savior. But in those little in between moments? When I didn't have something to keep me busy, I was just, down. And to be honest? I didn't understand why. All these missionaries around me talk about how they are the happiest they have ever been and this is the best time of their lives. And I just wanted that too.
I worked my hardest, I know that. I did my best to be exactly obedient, that was not an issue. And I truly did love the work and the people here as I do now. I prayed so much over this. I studied so much. But the sadness and pain and loneliness just wasn't going away for what felt like a really long time. It was really confusing.
With time, I did start getting some answers. I recognized God confirming to me through the spirit as I prayed and studied that this trial was not a punishment or a consequence of any misbehavior- it was just that- a trial. He told me that everything was gonna be okay and I just need to be patient. He just told me this is something that I need to go through right now. This gave me some comfort, but I was still hurting. And I didn't know why.
On the evening of May 10th 2020 I had had enough. I prayed to God and I told him that I want to be happy again, and I want to be his servant.
When I woke up smiling on May 11th I knew the Lord had work for me to do.
As sister Webb and I began our six and a half hours of work we quickly found a facebook group for people struggling with anxiety and depression. A place for them to be vulnerable.
Then, miracles came.
I just felt so much sorrow and empathy for these people as I read their stories and felt their pain for them. I could read them and think, "Yes! I get that!" And I knew what kind of help they were looking for-- because I had been searching for the same kind of help for over a month. I talked to all of these people and listened and validated their struggles for 7 hours. And shared with them what I knew could help them. We saw miracles.
I have gained a new understanding of the scripture:
"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."
-Mosiah 24:14
Sister Webb and I just finished our first Skype lesson with Laura, a girl our age who says, "I will try anything to find peace at this time in my life, I have been praying so much to God to help me," We invited her to pray, and in her prayer she cried and thanked God for sending us to her. She was so open and asked if we could call twice a week. This is a miracle.
The Lord has helped me to gain the charity that I have prayed for in a way that I never would have expected. He has prepared me to be his tool in a way I would never have asked for, but am now so grateful for.
I know God's ways are different than our ways. Hold on to him, trust him, and one day it will all make sense.
Elsker jer! Ha en dejlig uge:)
Mkh,
Søster Felt
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