It's Not About Time, It's About Faith

Time. What a concept! I know I mentioned this last time, but it feels like I've been out here for forever and a half, and it's been just over a month. Even since the last time I posted, so much has happened. It's been crazy getting settled into the area, but I think Sister Pickett and I are doing pretty well. One thing we really had to get used to was using the trains. In her last area, Sister Pickett had a car, and my last area was Tempe, so neither of us were in the habit of getting to trains on time. the station is fairly close to our flat, but it's still a bit of a trek, especially on foot.

We had to rely on trains, especially the first week or so before I got my bike, and we'd always forget how long it took us to get to the station. Like I said, it's not that long of a walk, but we would stop and talk to people along the way and that would stretch it out. As we were rushing around, Sister Pickett would often say, "It's not about time, it's about faith". It's crazy, but it's so true. There have been so many times that we were nearly late for a train, stopped to talk to somebody, and still had to wait a few minutes when we got to the platform. The Lord provides. 

Sister Pickett and I both have a tendency to focus too much on where we're going and forget to work as we're getting there. We made and agreement that, every time we notice this, we tell each other that it's not about time, its about faith. It helps to remind us why we're out here. It's not to rush from appointment to appointment. It's to love the people and to love the country. And what a country to love! It's getting to be autumn here. All of the leaves are turning magnificent colors. The air is getting cool and crisp, and everything is just so beautiful I can hardly stand it. People are always out walking their dogs, walking with their children, or just enjoying the weather, and most of the people we stop to talk to are quite at ease. Why not have a friendly conversation on such a nice afternoon? As we've forgotten about time more, we've been better able to show our love for the people and the world around us, and are therefore better able to do the work.

Speaking of work, having two missionaries who are brand new to an area is hard. The last missionaries didn't leave behind a huge teaching pool, and we're only just beginning to gain the trust of the ward, so the work is slow. We have few investigators, very few referrals and loads of less actives. It has the potential to be very discouraging, especially as it's my first area. But as we sit and plan each night and I realize how few appointments we actually have, that phrase comes to my mind. It's not about time, it's about faith. It doesn't matter if people listen to us today, tomorrow, or next week sometime, we have to have faith that they will listen. That's something that's really hard for me. I know that I have been called to this place for a purpose. I know that there are people here that are prepared. but I don't feel like I've met them yet. I have to continue to shift my focus from time to faith, because it is faith that makes all things possible. 

As well, you never know what the Lord has planned. Right now, we're just meeting and getting to know the ward. It's small. Very small. I think we've already met and had dinner with most of the active members. Good things are beginning to happen there, though. We're forging friendships and gaining trust. We're getting involved with the young women and plotting some fun activities. Who knows what it is that the Lord has planned for us? We can only watch, wait and have faith.

Really, that's true for all of us, at every point in our lives. We never know what the Lord has planned for us. It may feel like we are so far from being the person He wants us to be. It may seem as though the changes we want to make in our lives will take decades. Maybe they will. But the Lord doesn't really care how long it takes us to get to where He wants us to be. It mostly matters to Him that we get there. As long as we're moving forward, as long as we're trying and looking to him to be our strength, it will all be alright. Because. . .it's not about time, it's about faith.