Crash (3/9)

Let's see... what happened this week? Well, what DIDN'T happen this week?!

There has been a lot going on - Sunday night we got a "whitewash" call which meant that we had to prepare one of our areas (the English wards) for two new missionaries (Elders). It's been stressful trying to line everything up for them and letting all of our Bishops, Ward Mission Leaders, and Investigators know what's happening. Most of them are not very happy that we're leaving... but we aren't thrilled either. Actually, it's bittersweet. It has been super fun working in this area, but I'm ready to get back to being able to really focus on the Spanish work.

Also, I have a new companion... Hermana Adams. She is fresh out of the MTC, which means I am training! Ahh.. I'm excited, and she seems awesome so we're ready to hit the pavement (hot asphalt) running. I know there are good things awaiting us here in Gilbert.

Aaaannndd... we got in a car accident. Lame. It was Hermana Norton & my last big adventure. Don't worry (Mom) we're all ok... it wasn't a big crash, just a big inconvenience. We were just driving along (through an intersection) and all of a sudden there was a pickup truck in front of us. The lady driving it had rolled through the stop sign and tried to beat us through, but unfortunately that's not what happened. We tried to brake and swerve, but ended up getting her truck with the front of our car. Even though it was annoying waiting for the police, and trying to take care of everything with the mission office, I am grateful that 1. It wasn't my fault! and 2. No one was hurt... milliseconds would have made a big difference in the amount of damage done to the car, or us. We are certainly protected by the Lord in this work.

As I often do, my mind wandered to the gospel analogy here. Sometimes we are just driving along and everything seems to be going smoothly when out of nowhere we get in a "wreck". Often they are caused by someone else's misuse of agency, but cause inconvenience in our lives nonetheless. However, we must accept the problem and recognize that there's nothing we can do about it, and then use the Atonement in our lives to be healed. It is amazing to know that the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ is so all-encompassing that it not only covers our sins, but the pain we feel from the sins of others. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and for His Son Jesus Christ that want us to be happy and are so willing to fix our cuts and bruises from the crashes in life... those that we cause, and those caused by other hazardous drivers. :) Bottom line... He loves us all.

And I love you too!

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

Pictures
Top: Hermana. Norton and I sad about our fender bender.
Middle: Hermana Norton, Lakin, Annika, Me & Mia sad that we are getting transferred. (These are the awesome girls I blogged about a few weeks ago)
Bottom: One more picture just to prove that everything wasn't sad this week! Sisters in the Gilbert Zone.. although after today only two of us remain...