I'll Go Where??

The beautiful Redwood trees in Eureka!

Well the time has come for me to leave Eureka. I've been anticipating this change for a couple of weeks so I've done a lot of reflecting on my time here. I have loved serving here! I've learned a lot and I honestly wish I could stay. But I didn't expect to feel that way when I came up here in November. When I found out I was coming here I had only been in Santa Rosa for 3 months and I loved it there! We were seeing so many miracles and was sure that I would be there for another 6 weeks. When we got transfer information Sister Luscher and I found out that both of us were getting transferred. To put it simply, I was really upset. I really wanted to "forget" about transfers and just not show up but instead I tried to have a good attitude (emphasis on the word "tried"). I pretended to be excited to come to Eureka. Don't get me wrong I was excited because I had heard wonderful things about the area but I just wasn't ready to leave Santa Rosa. Needless to say, my first couple of weeks up here were really hard. I spent a lot of time praying to love the area and to be happy and content with where I am instead wishing that I was somewhere else. Gradually, as I got know the people in Eureka I started to like it more here so that by the time Sister Hernandez came up here I loved it! And the past 12 weeks with her have been amazing!! We have seen many miracles and continue to see them every day! I don't really want to leave Eureka but I'm at peace with it because I learned my lesson. I've learned that the Lord's way is much better than my way. He always knows better.

Me and my new companions, Sister Uehara and Sister Aoyama 

However, even though I had been expecting to leave Eureka this transfer I still had a test of that new found testimony. Transfer calls came and I was told I would be going to Middletown to serve in a trio. I was really excited because I had been there for a day and I loved it! Then the next morning I got a phone call from our mission president and he told me that he had a change in my assignment. He told me that I would still be in a trio but that I would be going to the Lake Herman ward in Benicia. I really know nothing about Benicia and I didn't really know my companions either. But instead of getting upset or resenting the change I embraced it. And the thing that amazed me is that I didn't have to pretend to be excited! Sure, I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be going to Middletown but I was/am excited for this new adventure/challenge in my life and in my mission. Sometimes it's hard to accept change in our lives, I'm not a fan of it myself, especially unexpected change. But I have learned that the Lord always knows what is best for me. He knows where I need to be to help the people that need me and also to meet people that will help me. In the words of Elder Clark "I'll go where the Lord wants me to go with a smile on my face" because I know that His way is always better than mine. So the next time you wonder if what you are being asked to do is from the Lord I invite you to get down on your knees and ask. Then when you get up, go to work, and do what the Lord has asked of you. That is where true happiness comes from, doing the will of the Lord.