The London Fog

I am learning what it means to be humble and to trust in the lord and have an eternal perspective. The past few weeks I have been trying to wrap my head around how it is not fair that I was born with so many opportunities, to a wonderful family, with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve seen many things that are painful; kids are homeless, families that don’t have food to eat, and many people that don’t have hope and something to live for. There are Haitians enslaved in the cane fields and many families are separated- half in Haiti and half here. We were told in the MTC that the D.R. is the third poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti, being number one. At times, seeing these things has made me feel very insignificant and discouraged. I was expressing my frustration to my companion and she reminded me this isn’t my work, it’s the Lord's. It seems obvious but I absolutely needed to hear that. It isn’t my work and it isn’t my world. There is a lot of pain, sickness and poverty in this big world that I can’t fix. I can’t give everyone a home, food, and a family that loves them. But everyone can have the gospel. It’s neat to be a part of something bigger and better than I am. I have leaned on the story of President Hinckley when he received the advice from his father to forget himself and go to work. He recalled how he felt the London fog was lifted then. I have experienced a similar feeling. There's a lot I don’t know but there are also things I know with certainty. God is just and fair and things will work out. 

Some positive news is that we have a family that is progressing. They have two cute little girls and have been going to church and ward activities. They want to get baptized but need to get married first. Most couples aren’t married here because the process is a little difficult. This couple isn’t married but they have a marriage date for July. It’s a little far but she wants to get married on her birthday.

To answer your questions about food; we aren’t allowed to eat with members or out of any houses for sanitation and financial reasons. However, the people are very generous and sometimes make us take their baked goods, which we re-gift to other houses we visit. There are four of us living together and we all cook for ourselves. And yes, I am still vegetarian! The apartment we live in is cute. We have to unlock four locks to get inside. We have fans to keep us cool but the power goes out often. Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers!  You guys are my source of strength. I think about you so much. And dad, I am so excited to help you garden, and I mean that. Tell uncle Steve muchisimas gracias for the family history package he sent. I love all your insights and everything. I dont have any photos because 1) most people who plug their cameras into the computers here lose all their pictures and they get a virus in the camera 2) because there are thieves looking for electronics. LOVE YOU!!!

"Just as doubt despair and desensitization go together, so do faith, hope and charity. The latter however must be carefully and constantly nurtured; whereas despair, like dandelions, needs so little encouragement to sprout and spread. Despair comes so naturally to the natural man." - Neal A Maxwell

"You cant do everything for everybody everywhere, but you can do something for somebody somewhere."

Con amor, 

Hermana Meg