Mom here: For those who may read this who may be involved with sister McBride on her mission. I contemplated for a while whether I should post this letter she wrote. (this is why I'm a few weeks behind) I'm mainly posting this because one, Sister McBride and her companion sister Petch are good friends. Two, I am getting her blog printed in book form so she has a copy of all of her letters and missionary memories in one place. Three, her extended family as an opportunity to stay connected with her and know how to pray for her. Sometimes she doesn't have the time to send out a mass email to everyone and sends one to us and has us put it on her blog. So a lot of this is for her and her family. It's not ment to stir up any issues or contention of any kind. Sister McBride and sister Petch are doing great and respect each others friendship but had a spotty patch for a bit. It happens in every good relationship. So please don't mention anything to her it's something she doesn't need to worry about, worrying about other people's feelings about the situation. It will stress her out and she needs to focus on missionary work and not feeling like she has caused a problem. Being a missionary is not only about missionary work but also about learning how to get along with others and develop Christ's attributes. I have learned we grow most when we need God's help the most. These are good growing moments and normal. With that said I wish you all good blessings and have a fantastic day!
Sister Petch and I are staying! Woot I am excited for the work that will get done... and comforted about how hard it will be. Sorry for the late e-mail Sister Petch has been very ill today so we are a bit behind. There's a lot that went on this week and I feel I need a little input, or an encouraging word on.
During the transfer I have felt very questioned in my desires, in my actions, and in my testimony. I do not desire to blame Sister Petch for anything I really am trying hard to separate my hurt feelings for the truth We had many disputes this week. In them I felt my confidence reach rock bottom. The things that Sister Petch has said to me has made me question my desires and my work over the past year or so. I really felt like a terrible missionary, and that's not right. I know that I try my best but I keep having to remind myself that I did come out for the right reasons, I did do good work and have baptized people... Our opinions about what we should do are so utterly different that she doesn't understand why I want to do certain things and the problem is, when that happens she then makes a judgment upon my Character as a person and my desire as a missionary. She says it like I'm lying to her, like I know in my heart I'm doing something wrong or that I'm not putting investigators first etc... when in reality its simply a different way of handling a situation.
I love sister Petch but this companionship is teaching a lot about myself. There's a lot that went on this week. This week has been hard. I knew as well that we would be staying together. On Sunday I received a lot of peace and comfort from Heavenly Father about this next transfer and I know I have a lot to learn from Sister Petch and she from me. We are learning that there are many different ways to handle situations. One way is not better than another its simply a different way of handling a situation.
We chapped a door, the man was busy and asked us to return the next day, in a rush we asked when we could come back. He said 10am the next day and we agreed, but forgot that our ward coordination just changed to that same time and we didn't remember until after we had gone to chap the next house. She mentioned it and I said 'oh maybe we can come by at 11:30 tomorrow instead' In hopes that since we had just left his door step less then 20seconds ago perhaps we could chap again quickly or leave a note. We had already had a few mix ups with W.C. and had to reschedule due to us. I knew it was either try to change the app or go to Ward Coordination and miss it so we didn't ruin our relationship with W.M.L (ward mission leader) by not going. Before I was able to explain she cut me off and then went on to re-account another situation very similar in which she was very upset by my opinion. Now I don't mind if she didn't want to do that. She could have said it in a way where she didn't start making judgements and assuming things and questioning my desires as a missionary. I am going to talk to her about it but I guess I just want you to know that I'm not sure why Sister Petch finds it so difficult to work with me, but I really am trying and I hope that what I say doesn't come across as judgmental to her or prideful I'm just so torn. and very confused about what I should do I feel I'm trying to handle those disagreements as best I can and stay calm and talk it out but it doesn't seem to be working.
anyway.... other then that this week has been pretty good the lord really has helped me feel that I can do it and that I am up for the challenge haha.
I know that it is through Christ that I can do all things. I have all the help in the world and prayer is amazing. It's just one of those things as a missionary it helps you grow as a person too. I love what I'm doing. I love sister Petch and I know God loves me and I'm doing the very best I can.
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