Editor’s note: Many are familiar with my daughter, Sara Arkell, also known as The Piano Gal. Sara has been called to serve in the New York Syracuse Mission. This is a series on her weekly letters that we will be posting on the site for those who wish to follow along with her mission. You can read her previous emails here.
This week was probably one of the best of my mission. I seriously can’t believe I ever thought about not coming on a mission. There are so many things I would’ve missed out on. Wow.
Where do I even begin?! This was the best week for me but it started off like a rollercoaster for Sister Thompson. Poor thing. Tuesday night things escalated really fast. My companion got super sick of all a sudden and we had to call someone from the ward to come over and give her a priesthood blessing of healing. My testimony grew even more of the priesthood. So thankful for worthy men who can drop everything and come over to give a blessing. Something I will never take for granted.
Sister Thompson was sick in bed curled up in a ball until 7pm on Wednesday. I had my first “sick day” where we were able to call the mission nurse and get permission to take a nap.
Sister Training Leaders
On Thursday, I got to go to the mission home for a special training for the mission leadership. I felt so honored to be there & so grateful for that opportunity. I learned so much! And I got to see my trainer again!!! And Elders from my district in Auburn! It’s always the best when you are reunited!!
My old District in Auburn!
Sunday was full of so many amazing things!! First off, we had 2 FRIENDS at church! David came for the very first time. We last minute invited him on Saturday night and he came!! He dressed up so nicely too & loved church. We gave him a church tour & everything. The future looks promising with him!! God’s working on him!
Then my all time favorite people, the Padrons, surprised me & came to visit me! All the way from Auburn!!! I missed them so much & it made me so happy to see them again. I’m so grateful for the people God is putting in my life.
I love the Padrons!
THEN we had the most amazing lesson with our friend, Cathy. I walked out of her house so happy and feeling so much joy. She’s been struggling to recognize the Spirit for a while now. We’ve been praying and trying to figure out what to do to make that spark happen. We had planned to teach about the Word of Wisdom last night but on our own, we both felt like we should teach about God’s love instead (#companionshipunity).
Well, that was inspired because it was exactly what she needed!! We read some of a talk from General Conference called “God’s Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul.” We had read a couple paragraphs and she stopped us and started telling us how she was feeling. She was smiling the biggest smile I’d ever seen from her! She was telling us her heart was beating so fast, she felt so much joy, and wanted to run outside and shout to the world. She was in awe, it was so cool to see. We helped her recognize that was the Spirit!! Then we sat in quiet for a minute or so and she was closing her eyes and just taking it all in. She kept telling us how thankful she was that we were there to explain what that feeling was.
We testified of God’s love for her and she was seriously so happy. GOD SOFTENS HEARTS AND HE LOVES US ALL SO MUCH. One of the most amazing experiences of my mission so far!!! The Spirit was so strong in that room! It was exactly what she needed to continue on this path & work towards baptism. God works miracles! Just got to have faith and put in the effort and trust in Him!
Just us being crafty
Another highlight of this week is that it was 50⁰F one day!! I had my coat unzipped and everything. Never thought I’d say 50⁰ was warm but…it was WARM! Then it dropped back down to -2⁰F this morning but you can’t have it all, right?
Sorry this was so long but oh my goodness, what an amazing Spirit-filled week. And I didn’t even tell you all of it. This is God’s work! I am so happy I get to be a part of it. I’m all giddy as I’m typing this! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. WOW. Please keep these friends of ours in your prayers!! Naji – Brandon – Cathy – David