Staying on the Straight and Narrow Path!

Dear friends and family,

Happy No Snow! It has actually been surprisingly warm in the past few days, and I've heard rumors of 50 degree weather this week, so I'm definitely looking forward to that! But this past week was a pretty good one!

We were warned to not take any back roads because they could be icy, but because we have a limited number of miles we can drive each month, we have our GPS set to "shortest distance," which often takes us down back roads. And it isn't anything unusual to feel a bit like Indiana Jones as we drive in our truck from place to place. So we started driving down this dirt road, all was well and we were looking at how pretty the sunset was, and to make a long story short, we ended up having to walk a mile and a half through the woods in the dark to the nearest house to find help because the road turned into solid ice. While in the moment we thought we were lost forever in the middle of nowhere (and hoping that bears really do hibernate), we can now laugh our heads off at what we had gotten ourselves into.  There are a lot of things, though, I learned from that experience...

1. Always follow promptings you receive! Once we realized we could not control our truck from sliding, we knew we needed to walk somewhere for help. We started down the road because our GPS told us we were more than halfway to the end of the road. But after several minutes of walking we felt that we needed to turn around and go back the direction we came. As it turns out, the direction of our GPS was turned around and we actually had more than halfway to go and would have been walking for a lot longer! Sometimes, and I've found as a missionary, it can be frustrating to "listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost," because it can be difficult to discern whether it is the Spirit or your own thoughts... But it doesn't matter! I love the scripture in Moroni 7:13:  "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."  If it is a good thing, act on it because all good things come from God!
2. Always have a sure footing! The ice on the road was so thick and slippery that we couldn't stand up on it, so we had to walk along the edge of the road in the trees where there was some snow. It reminded me that we have to walk on sure ground, and not slip or waver in our testimony. How? Through the little things! All those "primary answers," like studying scriptures or attending church meetings really do strengthen our testimonies of the restored gospel, so when difficult times come and it's hard to stand, we won't fall! 
3. Always be prepared! For some reason Sister Robison and I had left our snow boots in the back seat of our truck, even though it hadn't snowed for weeks. That morning we had also had put an extra blanket in the truck. So when we decided we had to walk to help we changed our shoes, grabbed the blanket, and a small flashlight that was in the truck. Granted, we didn't think we would be lost overnight, but we were prepared! Being spiritually prepared is the same! We have to have built our testimonies and done those things that help us come closer to Christ because if something comes up to shake our testimony, and we aren't ready for it, we can be harmed spiritually. 
4. Know you can always find "cell service!" In addition to it being completely dark outside when we got stuck, we had no cell service. We knew of countless people who would be to our rescue in the blink of an eye, if only we could call them. But there is someone we can never get out of touch with, and that is our Heavenly Father. Prayer is like a 100% guaranteed phone call, with no ignored messages and no voice mail, because He always is there to answer! He loves us and wants to hear from us, wanting to help us, all we have to do is get on our knees and call out to Him.
5. Look for the good in all things! Optimism is key! Once we got to the closest house, we were welcomed in by the most adorable family ever! They invited us in, lent us their phone, had us join them for dinner and even offered to keep us overnight if nobody was able to come until morning. We were able to get to know them, tell them about what we do as missionaries, the Priesthood Restoration Site and why families are important to us. Now we have a potential family to teach and all because our truck got stuck on an icy road!

"The Lost Lamb" by Del Parson

As we turn to Christ we become spiritually safe! If we rely on Him and our Heavenly Father, we will not fail because, "Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us. He has promised this will never change." -Thomas S. Monson. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Love,

Sister Larsen