The Trials We Face

The CCM has been really great and I can't believe that I am going to be leaving for Texas in 14 days. It's so crazy how fast time flies! It's been a crazy time here. There have been lots of things to learn from the Gospel to teaching, to the Spanish language, and my own flaws as a person. I'm not going to lie, it has been a roller coaster of learning and humility, but the Lord loves me enough to cut me down so that he can make me who he wants me to be. Spanish is coming along just great, and I am on the uphill climb to the top before I enter the mission field in Texas. There is still a lot to learn, but all is well. I am so happy here and can't wait to share all that I have with the amazing people in Texas. This week I was reading some articles and I found 2 quotes, a poem and 2 videos for you all. 

“Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery."

- I love this. I can honestly say that in the times where I have been at my lowest, those that have accompanied and helped me along the journey have become my closest friends. Without those hard times, those friendships would not have been as strong.

"All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven”

-Everything really is for our own good. Like my mom and dad told me once (and I paraphrase), "When you pray for help you have 2 choices, to pray for you circumstances to change, or for God to change you so you can change your circumstances." In one instance the things around you change, and in the other, you are changed as a person to be able to face your trials with strength and in the end, you come out a better and stronger person than before. Don't we all want to be better? Stronger? More capable? Well, then you need more trials. I have just begun to realize that trials are good! I need them if I want to become the person that I am striving to be.

I walked a mile with Pleasure.

She chattered all the way,

But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne’er a word said she;

But oh, the things I learned from her

When Sorrow walked with me!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-014-the-will-of-god?lang=eng 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-11-010-the-refiners-fire?lang=eng 

With much love,

Hermana Zimmerman

1. Me and my companion. We go together like peanut butter and Nutella on toast.

2. My companion wearing my glasses

3. We had a trio when we went to the temple last week it was super fun! Our addition is Hermana Paul who is going to Alabama and is from Duluth, Minnesota.

4. This is Elder Taylor. He's hilarious and makes every moment so funny! He is from Utah, speaks like a surfer, and knows pretty much everyone. He has his pants pulled up and is holding some jalapeños my parents sent me for nachos

5. A fun Strawberry, marshmallow dessert from Mexico. 
Actually pretty great!