Adventures in "The Great"

July 6, 2015

Wow, What a week, that’s all I can say! This week has been full of adventure for sure. SO you know how I said Zambia is like stepping back into America. Hahahahahahah that was a joke. So the power is literally out every other day, and when the power is out it means no water, because our water is pumped from electricity. Which means I only shower once every other day. Hahahahha and even when the power is on the hot water literally lasts five minutes. And then it’s freezing cold. I don't mean to sound negative. Hahaha its all a part of THE GREAT!! Haha (“The Great” is what we call the Zambia Lusaka Mission.) haha Heavenly Father knew mission would be difficult for me to leave so he put me in Lusaka. Haha and also the power problem is supposed to last until December. Hahahahaha this life!! Only in the GREAT!!

And then that’s not all for the adventure this week, so there was one day I actually broke down crying in the area. I could barely hold it together. We have been teaching this girl and she is so cute. She is 17 and she was raped and now has a baby. We have been teaching her in her aunt’s place who is a member and where she lives. So we walk in one day and she is all shaken up and you can tell she is choking back the tears, and I was trying to act like I couldn't tell and then the aunt came in and kept saying stuff like, “She is in a mood because she is having a bad day; don't worry about her. And she is leaving for the weekend to visit her cousins.” My companion and I could tell something was wrong, so we asked her if we can escort her to the mini bus. We wanted to speak with her when the aunt wasn’t there. And then as we were walking she said, " I am not coming back." And we were like why? And she said, “Someone tried to rape me again yesterday. But this time I screamed, and the neighbor came.” Her hand was all bruised because of the guy holding her tight. And as she was telling us she said something like "Why is this happening to my life, and all I could do was hug her as she cried." I held it together and didn't cry. And when we put her on the mini bus and she drove away, I just lost it. I couldn't hold it together. And then my companion was the strong one as she hugged me. This life is so difficult for people. I don't know why. I won't lie—Sometimes it’s hard on me to see people suffer so much. I really need to study Jacob 5 more and really believe and trust in Heavenly Father more. This is why I can't study social work. I think I will struggle. I think my testimony will be tested everyday. So…that’s why I want to study business or accounting. J

Okay and to add to the adventures. We have an awesome investigator!!! I won't mention his name. But he is so sweet!!! He is like prime! He came to church at 10:30, (30 minutes early)!!! We taught him the first lesson and then planned to see his wife on Friday. We meet with his wife and I go to shake her hand and greet her and she looks at me and turns away and grabs her child as if she is talking to Satan (us). Hahah and then the husband kept apologizing and I said don't worry!! And he said, "You know the rumors, she's heard them." And then the husband was trying to be all nice and asking if there is any where else we can meet, and he leaves for like 5 seconds and the wife comes in and says, "You can meet my husband but not under this house where my kids are." And so then the husband comes back, and he apologized again and I said okay should we step outside and figure out a members house we can go and teach you at. And so we did. BUT IT WAS CRAZY!!! I have had opposition, but not like this haha. And the husband is still progressing and growing well in the church.

Well okay…last story. The elders had a baptismal service so we go and the Branch Mission Leader forgot to fill up the baptismal font.  So while the baptismal service is going on, my companion and I are filling up buckets trying to fill up the baptismal font. hahaha And it works!  They had to baptize on their knees, haha THIS IS THE GREAT!! And also while the people are changing from their baptismal clothes to their normal clothes, they usually have the missionaries talk about enduring to the end. So we are up there speaking and we ask,  “So what are some ways we can help these newly baptized members endure to the end?" And this lady in the ward yells out, "We don't have time for this." Then all the ward members start arguing with her. We had no idea what to do. So we closed up the talk and said these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. hahahahahahahah THIS IS truly the Great!

Well I have found my favorite Prophet, at least one of them. Brigham Young! MAN he is so cool!!!!!!!!! I love his boldness and his attitude. I love him!!!! I seriously Love Brigham Young!! He is the best!! We have the Distribution Center in my area so I was able to buy The Teachings of Brigham Young. I read it every night since I got it and I am basically finished, and I bought it last Monday. He is the best!!

I'll just share some of my favorite quotes from it:

"Is there any necessity of being persecuted? Yes, if they are disobedient. But suppose they are perfectly obedient is there any reason of chastisement. I do not understand the principle of it. Have I been able to see the necessity of chastisement from the Lord on a people who are perfectly obedient? No. Have this people a need to be chastened? Yes they have. We all know the saints must be made pure to enter into the celestial kingdom.
My thoughts:
Trials are the biggest blessing from our Father in Heaven. If
we only fully understood.

"After suitable rest and relaxation there is not a day, hour, or minute that we should spend in idleness but every minute of everyday of our lives we should strive to improve our minds and to increase our faith of the Holy Gospel, in charity, patience, and good works that we may grow in knowledge"
My thoughts:
Cell phones are the best tool Satan uses for idleness. My goal when I go home is to be an adult haha :) but seriously--I don't want to be using my cell phone for Instagram and Facebook when I go home. I will only use it on my laptop. A cell phone makes it SO easy to idle away your time. I don't know. I want to be better! I feel like there really is no point to them, but at the same time I know hahahah I know I have to set realistic goals, and I doubt I will be able to give it up 100%.

"Before you condemn, we should wait until heaven clearly indicates a fault. And if heaven declares a fault wait until Father in Heaven reveals the person is wrong. And when you are capable of correction a person, then it is time enough for you to judge."
My thoughts: The quote is good enough it says it all.
 

"Suppose we were called to leave what we have now shall we call it a sacrifice? Shame on that man who would call it so; for it is the very means of adding in him knowledge, understanding and glory."
My thoughts
I LOVE THIS QUOTE SO MUCH!!! ! ITS SO True!!!! SO SO SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!! The most true quote I have ever read!

"We are not going to wait for angels. We are to build Zion ourselves"
My thoughts: D and C 58... That’s all I can say :) The best!! I love
this quote, and the responsibility that each of us have.

"We do not want any whiners about this temple. If you cannot commence cheerfully and go through the labor of the whole building cheerfully, start for California and the quicker the better."
My thoughts:
Haha this quote is so bold, but I LOVE IT!! Its so true, haha we should never complain lest we become like Laman and Lemuel hahahaha!!

Well anyways, I love this church, and for all the churches that broke away from the church at the beginning days, they should definitely read Brigham Young haha HE Is the BEST!!! He is definitely a prophet.
haha

Well I love this church, my future home is going to be like the mission home. I already have it all planned out. I am going to be a crazy women about the church. Haha I have an obsessive personality. I know I do, but I don’t even care. This is a good thing to be obsessed about right! haha For all those who remember me when I  little--my obsession with puppies, my obsession with going to Lake Powell, my obsession with a boat, my obsession with so many things." And I think I found my new obsession that will last forever!

Haha I love you all, don't forget it!! I am one blessed person to be serving a mission!! It’s the best thing I have ever done!!

Sister Falco!