Hermana Jerman in Vina Del Mar, Chile: Marty Robbins & Band Sing at FHE

Why be angry, confused, or reluctant toward God? Similar to being unforgiving, you hurt yourself most and are denied the full blessing of trusting fearlessly. Investigators have asked us why all the modern-day prophets are white. I know that the coming forth of the freedoms described in the Constitution and the United States through the founding fathers were divinely inspired. They did not deny that it was by God. This was crucial for the restoration of the Church in a place prepared and predetermined unlike any other nation. Now there are apostles from various ethnicities as the gospel continues to establish throughout the earth.

I met a woman who moved from Santiago whose old bishop there was my mission president and a family visiting from the Canary Islands – fun to pick out their dialect. Got groceries on pday with the missionaries and sang Spanish hymns at a rest home for FHE. Pulled weeds at a community garden after. A senior missionary couple took us to a restaurant and the fire alarm went off so I stuffed napkins in my ears and just kept eating. I've had to drive to the temple in the motor home lately and I think I resemble a 12 year old kid driving a stolen vehicle from the looks I get. Although not all temples are "standing temples," Mt. Timp has workers stand whenever a patron enters. It reminds me of their true royalty. As chorister in prep. meetings, I sometimes hesitate to pick my favorite arrangements because they are sacrament numbers. Yet, as we sing them, I remember that the temple is all about the Atonement :) I feel like being in the house of the Lord is like having a personal conversation with Him through the spiritual revelations we can receive.

I've recovered so much since I came home and will hopefully be well in a jiff. I have really missed my Chile family and the culture there, but I was required to return for American doctors because of being misdiagnosed by sonogram and tests and lack of treatment. It's been cool though to see how teaching the gospel is still the same fun service and love here in the Orem, UT Mission. They think my hernia was caused by a chronic cough I had back in October and depression from when I didn't sleep for 7 consecutive days in December. I really wanted sure answers to the why and how. That, however, is all part of this journey of faith. Sometimes, the answers just aren't necessary. Maybe we'll get them later, maybe not until heaven. It's difficult because I didn't want to think about anything else besides being a missionary and giving the Lord my all. I love missionary work – but God is good to us and I know this path is hand-picked by Him, so I'm just excited to see where He takes me :)

Love, Hermana Jerman