6 Minutes to Post

I have six minutes to post something on here.  Are you ready?

Happy New Year everyone!  Just a quick face update--my face is back to normal.  100%!  It was such a funny day.  My hives have disappeared, and the only thing I have left to show for it are a couple of mug shot photos. 

Here are a few other updates on life...

I received an MRI and discovered what has been bothering my back.  I've been experiencing back and leg pain since last August.  I have Degenerative Disc Disease and Piriformus Syndrome.  After a few physical therapy sessions, I should be good as new!  As long as I continue to work out every day, I should not have too many painful days.  That is a great relief to me.  There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

I am so grateful to all who have fasted and prayed for my back to heal.  Thank you for your prayers and your love in supporting me on this great mission adventure. 

Day #20: Zone Conference

Today we had Zone Conference in Nashville Tennessee.  It was one of my favorite days.  Ever. 

Like one of the best days of my life!

I feel in a daze... I'm so happy.  I feel the spirit.  I know this Church is True.  I love the Bible.  I loved learning about our Savior Jesus Christ today.  I love the Book of Mormon.  I love that it testifies of the Messiah.

I learned so many wonderful things, but today I only want to share one of them.

(A special thanks to an amazing Mission President-President McKee for teaching us such great ways to cope with trial and pain)

This box has a bandaid in it.  This bandaid represents the pain, heartache, frustrations, and all the unfair things in life.  Some days, when we get out of bed in the morning, this is all we see...

the pain!

When we focus on the pain, that's all we see.

But if we take a broader view and look at the things we can accomplish and the blessings we have, then our perspective is changed.

We see a bigger picture.  Once we look for things we CAN change and we begin to look at the blessings we have, then it's easier for us to find even more blessings.

The trials we have are not diminished.  The pain is still there.  But we are focused on the good things in life.  We are focused on our blessings. 

We have the gift of choice.  Each day, we can choose whether to act to situations, or react.

This Christmas is a time to ACT!  Choose to act.  Avoid the tendencies we all have to look at the "down-side" of things.

"Just because you are in pain doesn't mean you need to be a pain." 

-President and Sister McKee

Day #7: Counting On Me

So, life is rough.  Right? 

Especially when you've got this bizarre leg pain.  In the process of trying to fix my leg, I also have to work. 

All day. 

Sometimes that can get hard.  We'll use yesterday as an example. 

Yesterday, all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and go to sleep.  The pain in my leg was intense, and I could not find any form of relief.  My eyes wanted to close, and I became exhausted.  We had no success contacting the houses we had previously planned to visit.  I began to count down the hours until I could go home and sleep. 

8 more hours........7........6........5........ and by 4:00 in the afternoon I was done. 

Completely fed up and done. 

As we sat in the car, trying to rummage up some plans for the day, I prayed silently.  I began by pleading with Heavenly Father to just let me go home and lay down.  My body ached to walk.  I couldn't handle sitting anymore...  But as I prayed, I received the confirmation that I could not go home.  I needed to stay and work through the remainder of the day.  In my head, I thought, "Father, please.  I never take a sick day from my leg.  Please let me go home today." 

He answered me..."Joy, go and finish what I have asked you to do.  Instead of praying to go home, pray for My help." 

I sat up in the car, looked at my companion, and asked her if we could pray.  I opened my mouth and asked Heavenly Father to take away some of the pain I was feeling so we could work.  Then I asked for His guidance so we could know where to go.  We found a young man on a piece of paper in the car who we thought we should try to visit.  The closer we got to his home, the more improved my leg felt. 

Then, I remembered a text message from some of the other missionaries.  They told us of a home that housed a lot of college kids in the area.  Coincidentally, it was on our way.  We stopped by the house.  At this point, I had hardly any leg pain.  We walked up to the door, and were warmly received by a young woman. 

We introduced ourselves as the local missionaries, and she invited us to come back and visit with her and some of her friends!  When we left, Sister Jensen and I got in the car and uttered a prayer of gratitude. 

I know that when we feel we are going to fail, that with the Lord's help we succeed.  Sometimes He tries us, to make us humble.  When we are humble, we see miracles in our lives.  We feel the blessings of the Gospel.  We feel the strength of the Savior's grace. 

What is a miracle that you have seen this week?  Because of that miracle, has it changed you?  Has it made you want to be and do more for the Father?

I counted the hours until I could return home.

But Heavenly Father counted on me.