Sister Fluegel: The "Hillbilly Ghetto" June 12th 2017

Alright alright alright, I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats wondering where the heck I am. So was I last Tuesday, reading the sheet that told me my fate. And here I am: with none other than my good ol' MTC companion Sister Mayne, down in the boot heal of Missoura'! Needless to say we had a happy freak-out in the middle of the parking lot when we found out.

Sister Mayne calls it "a hillbilly ghetto" and she's not...wrong? But we've had a good time of it so far, cleaning up the area book, meeting the AWESOME ward, and already experiencing a few miracles! Just yesterday a man us a voicemail asking about when our church services are and if he can learn more about what we believe. Our neighbor below us stopped us a few days ago and asked if she could come to church and be baptized! WHAT!

"Hillybilly ghetto" it may be, but another accurate name would be "the promised land."

I've been blessed to be sent here and work with Sister Mayne again, this time as real missionaries teaching real people and experiencing (already!) so many miracles. I'm so excited to be working with the people here, loving, serving and teaching. There's nothing that could make me happier.

Something I've been studying more in depth the past week is the power of prayer. To be honest prayer often confused me--I had faith that Heavenly Father listened, but I figured he kind of already knew what I needed and wanted. But I'm reading about the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings, and he urges his disciples many a times to pray without ceasing. This parable really struck me:

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

This parable isn't too say Heavenly Father answers us because he grows tried of our prayers. But even a man with no regard for anyone will answer someone's continual pleas. How much more then, will a loving father answer his children's pleas and give them all that they ask for righteously?

It's really opened up my eyes to the gift prayer is; one we should always take advantage of. And sometimes Heavenly Father won't answer immediately--but he will always answer. One thing I've found he never waits for, however, is answering the heartfelt question of "Are you there? Do you love me?" I can promise each of you that you can always ask, again and again and again whenever you need to, if he's there and loves you.

The answer will come, though maybe not in the way you expect!

I love you all,

Sister Fluegel