Brownsville, Letter 19 (Happy 6 Months!)

One of the most delightful letters yet. Enjoy!

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Sister Clarke with her Greenie, Sister Hale (whom she calls her "long lost sister, best friend, and example")

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

So, it seems the longer I am out here, The last time I have to write emails and write things down! These last two weeks have been a blur, but have been some of the best weeks of my entire mission. We have seen so many miracles, and have followed the spirit to bless people. My testimony is growing tremendously every day. Training is absolutely a blast, especially when your companion is your long lost sister, best friend and example!!!

I am coming to a startling realization: tomorrow is my 6 month mark in the mission! I am a 3rd of the way through my mission. I have learned many things, #1 being that 18 MONTHS IS NOT LONG ENOUGH!!! Every single day out here I wish there was more time. There is simply not enough of it! There are too many ovejas to gather, too many people to reach out to, and not enough hours in the day to do it all. I come home every day wishing there was more time... and I feel the same way about my mission! This mission is precious to me. I will share a few things that I have learned up to this point in my mission:
1. Here in Brownsville, Texas, scarred feet means you are working hard. 🤷🏼‍♀️

2. During the time we are away from your earthly family, we have the opportunity to know our Heavenly family much better.
3. We can be successful if we have the Holy Ghost as our senior companion.
4. No motivation is stronger than love. If we want to be the missionary no one else can be, we must love the people like no one has ever loved the people.  Christ did what He did for us because of LOVE.
5. Fruit grown in Mexico is ten times better than fruit grown here. Especially the mangoes and avocados... 
6. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is THE doctrine, which if understood, is the power by which lives are changed, hearts are healed and we are filled.
7. Change happens in us when we give our will to God.  The mission is for CHANGE.
8. Floods are fun. Like, really really fun! ⛈
9. How we experience the mission is 100% dependent upon our attitude towards it. If we are not happy in the mission, we are focusing on ourselves.

10.  The ministering of angels is real.  As well as the Spirit of Elijah.
11. On my mission I have learned about the law of sacrifice. The law of sacrifice is to give up something you want for something you value more - if we are unhappy in our decisions it is because we don't really value the thing we decided more than the thing we left behind.  We cannot be Lot's wife - she did not value what she chose more than what she left behind.  I will be happy as long as I truly do value serving the Lord more than anything else.  

12.  Satan is real.  His power is very real.  But it is nothing compared to the power of Christ.

13.  The more rejected we are, the more like Christ we are.  So rejection isn't scary, it's an opportunity to show God our dedication.

14.  Stray dogs have fleas.  Lots of fleas.

15.  The mission is meant to be joyful!!! And so is life!  Once we get on the other side of our fear, we have freedom, and we have JOY!!!

I have learned many things on my mission so far.  I know without a doubt my mission has changed me.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to change.  I hope that my mission will continue to change me.  I have seen so many miracles in my mission already, I can't believe how lucky I am.  There is no greater privilege than to serve the Lord, and to come to know His son Jesus Christ.  I could talk for days about what I've  learned on my mission.  I am so excited to learn more and to continue serving my Savior - and having tons of adventures while I'm at it!!!

I love you all!  Have a great week!

Hermana Clarke

Write to Rachelle at rachelle.clarke@myldsmail.net

I guess there are a lot of stray turtles down on the Gulf Coast?!