The Lord is with us and will still give us aid

Hey Y'all! 

This week has been crazy but so good! So, I got transferred and am now covering 2 wards here in the Murfreesboro area with Sister Beltran! It's been interesting and challenging to be working both areas but I've seen SO many tender mercies and God's hand! I'm so glad that Sister Beltran is my companion because I don't know how I'd survive without her! 

Lifted Up

There's been so much going on! For y'all that haven't visited the units here in the south, they are a little bit bigger for their ward boundaries than in the west. For example, West Fork's ward area alone is 25 miles long. Then add another ward to that and you'd say we have a little bit of ground to cover. To make things a little more challenging, we have a part-time car. (We get the car for 3 days then switch. The mission is currently switching out models so there's a HUGE short in the mission. They're doing their best with what they have! We appreciate the mission office missionaries!) It's just a little unfortunate for us. And, we are "pink washing" Salem. And, I'm in a split sister training leader companionship. So, there's a lot going on. But, I seriously have been lifted up continually. I just wonder how we're doing alright when I feel llike we have so much going on! Well, I know why. It's because this is God's work and we are His servants! 

Another little tender mercy.

I was a little bit overwhelmed and we had MLC. Well, President Stone is sure led by the Spirit. The first thing he did was repeat the 3rd verse of the hymn we sang. It said, " The Lord is still with us and will still give us aid." I needed that reminder. I know the Lord knows me personally and will always lift me up when I'm down. 

Apartments

So, with us covering 2 wards we live in 2 different places. We live with a member family and in the Salem apartment. We stay in one apartment for 3-4 days and work the area then switch. The members have been so good at providing rides to/from our different apartments! 

Biking

We have bikes and have sure been using them! :) And, I haven't even died yet! Haha! Sister Beltran is the best. She makes it look easy as she rides. While I'm pondering just falling into the ditch to die from exhaustion she just says encouraging words! I literally lucked out on the companion department y'all! It's been a blessing to bike as I've found muscles in places that I didn't know existed before. Haha! It's been great! Here's a little miracle dealing with biking. We had biked for a little while in 25 degrees (with wind chill) and were freezing and exhausted. We were visiting the members in Salem to get to know them. We stopped at this one members home and saw that they had a truck. Truck=bikes could go in truck=happy missionaries :). Well, we didn't know these members and really didn't want to ask if they could drive us home after, but we were like really hoping they would offer. Well, prayers were answered because they did offer to give us a ride home! We were so grateful! 

Cars and Miracles

So, we had another tender miracle with cars. The other sisters in our zone have been getting their car fixed so they've been using another car, sharing it with some elders. Well, their car is now fixed. So, they offered their other car to us for a week until zone conference and our vehicle coordinator said that was okay with him! So, we have a car for a week! What a blessing! They are giving up a few days of their car to give it to us. The missionaries here are the best y'all! As Hermana Vargas would say, "The Lord always provides!" It's so true! I've seen this so many times this week! 

My challenge for y'all is to see how you can help the missionaries in your area. Ask what they need. Do what you can. Pray for them! We appreciate all the member help and support and I know all missionaries do! 

This week has been so stellar! The members in both wards are so great and have welcomed us with open arms! Thank y'all for your love and support. I sure love being a missionary! What a blessing!

Love,

Sister Madeline Stone

New address:
Sister Madeline Stone
120 Gloria Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

madeline.stone@missionary.org

 1-2. Sister Beltran and I.

3. Saying goodbye to Sister DeGraw!