The wonderful Nielsen Family took us up to the mountains so that Sister Dudas could see snow for the first time. She had a lot of fun building a snowman, and she loves snow! And then!!! It even snowed here in Elma, which no one was expecting!!! It was a very cold, very busy week, with the new year rolling in...! We recently got a new ward mission leader, and we had Zone Conferences this week, and trainings on how we can have more member missionary work through out the mission. Members and missionaries working together throughout the mission and throughout the world is the best way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to help bring the children of the Father back home.
This week Tom and Sandy Mayberry drove up from Tenino to take Sister Dudas and I out to breakfast, and it was so nice to get to see them :)
Sometimes, life doesn't always come in the way that we expect it, and one important principle that we can rely on is faith. When Sister Dudas and I were driving to Shelton on New Years day, we happened to drive past a burning house in our area. The entire house was engulfed if flames, and the firemen were doing all they could to stop the burning, to little avail. It was a very cold and dry new years day, and when we drove back by later, we got up close and personal with the burning house (it was Sis Duda's first ever in real life burnt house, and she really wanted to take pictures). Everything was completely destroyed, and burned to a crisp.
Sometimes in our lives, we have desires to have a great new year planned out, and have many ambitions and hopes, however, fate can take its toll and our plans may change.....this can leave us shocked, or even hurt, but when we rely on the Lord, and recognize that he directs our paths, then even though it will still hurt (because that is a part of life!), it might hurt a little less, knowing God truly has our 'End Happiness' in mind.
“Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days” (D&C 24:8).
Even when it may seem like your life, goals, and ambitions are going up in flames, just remember that there is always a storm before the calm.
Happy New Year Everyone! Love Ya'll!
Sister Megan Chapple
Sister Megan Chapple