The Big "C" Word(s)

Aloha Friends a me Family,

Crazy roommates I tell ya

The big, dreaded "C" word in Sister Ellis' vocabulary...change. I'm not a big fan of change especially right when you get comfortable with where you are. Officially out of my training and had to say adios to my trainer Sister Combe *big fat ugly teardrop*. An area in my ward has been dissolved and now Sister Felix (from Nigeria) and I are taking over the entire West side of the Bronx. Two phones, two sets of keys, two areas, two bathrooms in our apartment, two extra beds in our apartment, and two crazy 5'3 missionaries just tryin to preach bout Jesus! Double the trouble lol.

Nevertheless, change is always good when it is alligned with the will of God. Thus to overcome the stresses and mixed emotions that come with the "c" word, God has given us a greater "C" word and that is Christ. Christ carries us, bears our burdens, and loves us perfectly. It is through His Atonement that we need not to tread in troubled seas. It is through His Atonement that we can be happy and rejoice in the hard times. To quote a member from our ward she said in a lesson: "Why you carrying the garbbage on your back?? Christ has already carried it for you!". He has already suffered the most exquisite pain so that we don't have to feel any pain...but that we may find eternal and everlasting peace.

For the Bible informs us simply and explicitly in Matthew 17:7 :

"And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid."

He comes to us and touches our hearts through the Holy Ghost as we call out and seek heaven's help. He lifts us off the ground and comforts us. He gives us hope. He gives reason to not worry. How amazing of a promise is that.

Now. Who else carries you, bears your burdens, and loves you perfectly? Mothers. Mother's possess the pure love

and heart of Christ. Oh how wonderful it was to Skype my family on Sunday for 40 minutes and see the smile on my mother's face. How I love, appreciate, and look up to her daily. The countless sacrifices she has made for me and my siblings keep me in awe everyday. Though she has four children, she knew us so individually that I often felt as I was the only child she was driving around, staying up late to do homework with, editting papers for, and making food for. What a mother. I love her so much. And I love you all and thank for your prayers and aloha :)

Randoms:

1) Our sweet sweet investigator stopped smoking and threw out all her cigarettes. I couldn't have been more happy and proud :')

2) President Smith called me up one day and asked if I felt like my work in the Kingsbridge 2nd Ward was done and I said uhh no haha. And he said thats exactly what the Lord thinks too. I'm SO ready to go out and do. See a need fill a need.

3) 'Tis the start of the last transfer EVER of the NYNYN Mission. Yikes. Next transfer we will be the New York City Mission hallah.

4) Sister Felix wants to buy a fresh live chicken next week to eat. I'm stoked.

5) Made 140 cookies to pass out for Mother's day. Twas very busy two mornings lol.

Me ke aloha,

Sister Ellis

Believe Believe Believe