He knows better than I :) Wetumpka, Alabama Feb-Apr 2012 :)

Because His thoughts are not my thoughts neither are His ways mine...He saw so far ahead of me, and I could barely catch up. There was a twist in events, but I wouldn't dare call in a set back. Days before preparing to leave for New Zealand, I received news that my VISA had not been approved. I was reassigned to labor in the Alabama, Birmingham Mission- where my life was changed forever.

And BEAUTIFUL, it proved to be in countless ways. 

I don't know where to begin, Alabama proved to be the refiners fire in so many ways. Having been born and bread in the Bay Area, California of all places- Diversity come in a plenteous population. So as one could probably imagine, Moving down to the Heart of Dixie was quite a culture shock for me, and probably all of them as well ;)

My trainer was Sister Cynthia Rakotomalala from Madagascar :) She kicked my butt! Ha ha. Our first day in the mission field, we rode 21 miles on our bikes. I thought I would die! But she is truly an amazing girl. At the time, I didn't understand why she was so hard on me. But I have no doubt that Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed. Sister R was one on the hardest working missionaries I have ever seen. She was punctual and dedicated. She was motivated by love. Trial after trial- being two brown girls living in the south, and being Mormon Missionaries on top of that- we saw many hardships together- but we also saw many miracles. 

We loved Sister Brown. 

We were on tornado watch sometimes. Safety First!  :)

Sister R and I had our faith strengthened by the people around us. Missionaries, investigators, and members alike. Once, we were walking down a highway one behind the other because it was pretty narrow. Some teenagers were being very boisterous and while riding in a truck started yelling really mean things at us, and throwing food at us, and swearing, and spitting at us. I was so new in the field, and I looked at my companion but to my surprise she kept her head held high as if she was not at all bothered. As they sped away, My heart sunk. I had never felt so sick and so worthless. Tears filled my eyes, and my glasses began to fog.  Without thinking, I touched my chest with my right hand, as I looked down all I could see was the outline of my black name tag and the bold words: "IESU KERISO" I paused my raging thoughts as my heart and spirit were reminded of Him. I was no longer upset or angry at the people who had intentionally tried to hurt us. I loved them. I felt for them, I knew that they didn't fully understand who we represent and what joy this message would bring their lives. That was a major turning point not only in my mission but in my life. 

I was finally beginning to understand the WHY. It was Him.

Jesus Christ.