A couple days left . . .

This letter was sent to Emily (Harris) Brashear on 02/22/10.
(I'm a little behind!)

Dear Emily,
So, looks like I'm getting flight plans on Friday from what I hear! I'm SO excited to get out to the field. However, I'm grateful for the preparation time I have left here. This week has been great! We got two new sisters in our room also serving in the Philippines. I got to be a host sister and also because I'm the Coordinating Sister I got to give the two new Districts in our branch the low-down on everything and give them a tour of the MTC!

This weekend we had a fireside with some missionaries that served a humanitarian mission in the Philippines. They showed pictures from the poor devastated areas that were damaged from the typhoons. They also showed pictures from all around the world. I can't believe all of the humbling, poor circumstances that people have to live in. We are all so blessed, both temporally and spiritually.

This morning I sang with an Elder going to the Philippines as well, different mission (Elder Villareai from Florida). We sang "Consider the Lilies of the Field". I think it went pretty well. It was fun to sing in front of a crowd again.

In regards to your last letter, I know exactly how you feel. Comparing yourself to others. I do that way too often. I was reading a talk by Elder David A. Bednar about learning. It's in the February Ensign. He basically says to learn all we can and yes, school is important, but most importantly we need to learn the doctrines, principles and instructions of God. These are more important than getting a Doctorate Degree or a Law Degree. You are learning the best information available on this earth. It's the Book of Mormon and it's searching the Prophets teachings. That's what matters.

I watched a short clip on a lady on mormon.org who talked about how she couldn't have anymore children after her twins, she ended up adopting but didn't understand why God didn't let her have more children when it is a righteous desire. Sometimes we have those righteous desires but for some reason it's not the right time or we don't understand what's best for us. But the Lord does. I am a perfect example of this. Whoever thought I'd be 27 and on a mission? For sure NOT me! But, I am so so so grateful for this experience and wouldn't have it any other way.

I know you are totally happy with Jake and your life, so this isn't any type of "helping you realize your blessings kind of thing". So, hopefully you won't take it that way. I know you won't. You are doing a fabulous job. So just keep at it. And look for other things that you could be engaged in that you never thought you would be. (good things, obviously) haha. I know that when I had the most questions about what the heck was going on in my life that I couldn't control, I prayed more and I studied my scriptures more. And, I wouldn't change where that's gotten me for anything.

I hope all is well. Love you tons! I'll keep you updated on my flight plans!

Love,
Sister Hales

P.S. And my kasama (Sister Horne) played the piano when I sang.