Come what may, and Love it!

This week has been rather rough.. I had my gallbladder surgery and there were a few complications.. basically my stomach blew up like a 9 month termed baby! But one of the nurses said "dear don't worry, you only look six months pregnant". I can honestly say it was the worst week of my life.. really. The pain was awful, I was really struggling and I felt very alone without my family and friends around to give me some good laughs and comfort.. But I learned some of the most profound lessons of my life thus far.

 After days of agony and 6 visits to the emergency room (yes 6!) I was very agitated.. I thought hey you Heavenly Father! What's up with this!? I gave up alot to come on this mission! It wasn't part of my plan, and now this! I am working hard I don't deserve this treatment! I'm doing EVERYthing that I am supposed to! How could you do this to me?

Not all at once but one by one.. the spirit told me different things that are lessons I will remember all my life.

1. For once in my life I thought about the Mormon pioneers.. I didn't used to care much about them.. i thought the stories were boring.. mostly because I never understood what they were about. I realized that they went through hell and back to preserve our rights to live the gospel.. they traveled thousands of miles with nothing but the shoes on their feet and small wagons.. it was not the very elite in shape that left.. It was everyone. The women and children included. Many lost all their loved ones.. children died. They must have felt very alone at times but they kept going despite the persecution and look now and the product of their sacrifice! I grew a deep love for these pioneers.

2. My mother. My mother gave me some of the best advice I have ever had. Since I was upset at God and my situation.. I was impatient.. I wanted to go to work. She encouraged me "DONT GO TO THE DARK SIDE! GOD is trying to teach you something, be patient, He is there, He loves you". I am so grateful for that because it is true.. when things get rougher than we think we can bear we should smile. I turned to the bible to the verse that says " Blessed be they who cry now, for they shall laugh".  It's so true!

3. My brother Jared wrote me a very sweet letter. He said that he knows how it feels to have surgery and that he hopes I get better. ( He has spina bifida) This meant so much to me. I realized wow I am such a jerk! My brother has underwent I believe around 10 surgeries, ten! He has to put up with so much pain and the after affects of all these medicines. I have been able to feel a small amount of the pain that I am sure my brother has had to endure all these years. Through Jared's thoughtful letter I was able to think of my Savior Jesus Christ and about his atonement for my pain as well as everyone else's around me. God gives us these trials to refine us.. so that we can have more compassion towards others.. and so that we can better understand the power of Jesus Christ's life and atonement and be grateful for him. 

4. The scriptures. I did a study on patience and read alot about the sons of Mosiah and the trials they underwent.. and about their missionary work. Alma 26 is one of my favorite chapters of the Book of Mormon because it shows the sweet product of the sons of mosiah's change of heart and diligent work to bring others to Christ. Ammon glories in God as he looks at their past, He is so happy to see the change in himself and all the blessings of all the people that joined to Church of God and started to commit to living happier, more fullfilling lives. As he is rejoicing his brother Aaron rebukes him saying.. hey brother, you better watch it.. I think you are boasting.. and Ammon replies.. Oh no no you got it wrong.. I do not boast in myself, but in my god.. for look at all he has done! Look at all the blessings he has allowed us to have after we had committed so much sin before. 

I love the scriptures.. they have so many examples of people just like us.. doing their best and going through hard times. The fruit of our labors will come.. but sometimes it takes a while.. BUT IT DOES COME! I am so glad to know this. Alma 34:40-41 tells us to have a firm hope that one day we will rest from our afflictions. I know this is true. It starts with hope. A little seed of hope. 

         The last thing I want to share is that we had two baptisim's this last Saturday! The Callison couple had a few things they had to work on and they pulled through! I was a little worried that some of the issues may need to push their baptism back a few weeks, but no it worked out great! I was even well enough to go! I was pretty sick but I made it through the whole thing. I feel so blessed to have been a part of this blessing. On sunday My companion and I both gave talks on missionary work, we watched the Callisons get confirmed.. and guess who showed up at church for the first time in his life? AL!!!  I couldn't believe it!  I am also very excited because I start teaching the Callsions two sons who are 14, and 12 the lessons next week. I am hoping they decide to follow their parents footsteps. 

My companion is leaving and I am getting a new one on wednesday! I am a little worried.. My health still isn't very good but the last two days I have gone out to work. I can't carry anything so my companions been doing that.. ha  i hope this new one is nice! I'm sure she will be. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for good family and friends who have written me and helped me though the hard times. I love you all sooo very much. 

Love Sis rachelle Davidson