Whirlwind of a Week

It has been quite a whirlwind of a week that's for sure. The MTC was just so amazing and I loved EVERY minute of it!! It was really sad leaving and separating from my district.. But I made it to CO!
Arriving at the mission office was exciting! We had a long day of orientation and meeting our new companions.  My new companions name is Sister Platt! She is Awesome!! She's actually 29 and has the most amazing story.  She's from Arizona right by Snowflake and says the name Hamiltons (that's my Grandma Suzy's family) sounds very familiar! She also grew up dancing and singing and she worked at Disneyworld as some of the characters! We were seriously meant to be. She's been so sweet and strong and patient and kind with me as I learn the ropes.
Finally, we arrived at our apartment and I was freaked.  We are in a bad part of town (Commerce City).  After walking inside, it just got worse.  Our apartment smelled.  We looked in the bathroom and I could not believe my eyes'- The bathtub was BLACK. Literally, caked on mud was on the tub.  Keep in mind elders lived here before us..'
Anyways, that was a hard night because the spirit was definitely not with me as strong as it was in the MTC and we were now in the real world fending for ourselves.  After about 2 hours of intensive cleaning (I have never enjoyed cleaning so much and it is now one of my new fav things to do) we got the tub to be white and sparkly again.  The next day we shopped for cute apartment stuff and new shower curtains and candles, etc.  It completely changed the ambiance of the place and I felt so much more at ease.  Also upon arrival, I got Amber's package (a blanket with family pictures on it...I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!) which gave me exactly the comfort I needed to get through the night.  It lays on top of my bedspread so I can see it everyday.
Anyways, it has definitely been a hard adjustment trying to find my place as a missionary and gain confidence in what to say and do has been a challenge.  But everyday gets better and better and the Lord is helping me big time. Leaning on Him in times when I'm weak or need help or just need motivation has been such a humbling experience.  But like I said, it gets better everyday!
Miracles seem to be the theme for this week.  There are really so many that Í'm not sure ill be able to get them all down.  The one that stood out to me the most this week is one that happened on my second night.  It was the end of the day and we had one more stop to see a member that said she would go to appts. with us, so we wanted to meet her and check with her on that.  When we pulled up it didn't look like anyone was home, but we decided to knock anyway.  An older lady, burly but in her 70s, answered the door and invited us in.  Right away I could tell she wasn't very happy.  After talking with her a bit she told us how she had recently lost her husband in the same way and on the same day she lost her daughter.
My heart hurt for her so much.  I wanted to make it better but I didn't know what to say, nor could I talk. She said she was angry with God for taking her family in such a cruel way. She didn't want to turn to him for help because of this. My companion talked with her some more and as we got deeper into conversation the topic turned even darker. My companion went on talking to her about how some things are a sign from God, and she agreed.
Meanwhile, I kept thinking of a story a sister once told me of her depression and how she fought through it.  Finally, my companion turned to me and said, "is there something you want to say to her? Is the spirit telling you anything?"... I knew then that I had to speak up.  I proceeded to tell the woman the story of that sister's similar situation.  I explained how she felt during and after her process, and how she was so much stronger in the Gospel now because of that.  I promised her that as long as she would just turn to the Lord, He would help her unconditionally! He didn't want to see her so upset and mad -  He wants her to be happy!! And now that she has two angels by her side she could be invincible! She just needed to allow God to do His work in her life and let us help her.  I'm sure I said more but I don't remember much cause I'm pretty sure they weren't my words.
By the time I was done I could see tears in her eyes (we were all crying actually).  We closed up our meeting and told her we'd be back tomorrow to help her do stuff around the house.
As soon as my companion and I closed the car doors, we both cried silently. Sister Platt offered to say a prayer and we did and she thanked Heavenly Father for allowing us to get to her in time and be a tool in His hands to save his daughter.  We said the things we said because we were prompted to say so. Now I realize that story was for me to tell that lonely woman, to help give her peace and hope.
God's ways are so intricate and intertwined with each other.  We must reach out and love one another, because after this life what else do we have? "Every soul is great in the sight of God".  Heavenly Father will go to great lengths to save his children from anything! We just have to be aware enough to realize the signs.
There are many more miracles I wish I could post but I'm running out of time.
Have a great week and be a missionary too!!!
Love ALWAYS,
Sister Loyd