Viviana

This morning while doing my hair (and just before the boy face planted it into the bathroom sick) I was thinking back to my mission (yep, here comes another mission post).

Last night Cody and I borrowed 500 Days of Summer from Holly and Kris. This movie, plus listening to Garth Brooks song "Unanswered Prayers" while defusing my curls, got my mind spinning.

The memory that came up on top was of my second day in the mission field. It was the last appointment of the day and, by that time of night, my brain was fried. Not understanding a language yet hearing it all day non-stop really works wonders (and not the good kind) on your concentration, focus, energy, motivation, drive...the list goes on.

We sat down with a woman named Viviana. It was her second time with the missionaries, the first being at her front door for about 2 minutes. My companion began the first lesson (if you didn't know, its about Joseph Smith). While she talked, I dozed in the corner.

Then, out of nowhere, I got the impression to stop my companion and tell her to teach about something entirely different. So, I did what any new missionary with no experience in teaching and the language does, I ignored it. But, as most people know, some impressions cannot be stopped and eventually you MUST listen. And, like a good girl I did.

I poked my companion in the arm and said,"I think you should teach her about families." My companion informed me that is what they talked about last time. But, this particular missionary (who I love dearly), listened to silly old me anyway and changed her lesson on the spot.

I once again, began to doze in the corner. Later, in the car on the way home, I was informed that after the lesson Viviana confessed that she initially wasn't interested, especially about prophets and scripture. But, when we talk about families something sparked, and she wanted to know more. Four months later she was baptised. And, to this day I hear from her and love her more than I can express.

This experience (and countless others) happened because I decided to serve a mission. Had I made other choices in my life I would not have been there, in that moment, to make that suggestion. A suggestion which changed her life, and mine, forever. Had I made other choices, I would not have met my husband and, subsequently, would not have my beautiful baby boy.

I have come to learn that I don't always understand why things happen the way they do until much later. I don't always (if ever) see the big picture. But, oh how grateful I am to know that my father in heaven does. And that when all is said and done, everything lines up just the way it should.