I am so grateful that you all had so much fun in Arizona. I can totally picture you and dad trying to talk Ade, Jake, and Josh into staying. Too fun! I am excited to hear how Ade's job goes. I hope she loves it.
I want you all to know how blessed I am to serve with Sister McCormick. Today my email will have a lot to do with her and what she is going through. I have not really mentioned much in my last emails so I will catch you up real quick.
Sister McCormick got Lyme disease in July and was bedridden for 2 months. The doctors even put her on parasite medication and it just made matters worse. She is such a tough cookie and pushed through and knew that she would be able to overcome this. She got better but knew that she would have Lymes for the rest of her life. Shortly before I became her companion she became a Sister Training Leader and her depression started acting up pretty badly. (She thinks that the Lymes sparked it but she feels like she has had it all of her life). When I became her companion it continued to get worse every day. She rarely had the energy to get up in the morning and get to studies. We would have are good days and we would have our bad days. On multiple occasions I just cried and cried because I knew that the way she was acting wasn't her. These last two months I have grown like never before. I feel like we have become such great friends because we have clung to each other through this difficult time. This past week Sister McCormick could barely work. I have been in my apartment for the past 3-4 days. We had a member bring us blankets so it could keep us busy. Sister Riggs came to our apartment 2 days ago and talked to us to see how everything was going. She expressed genuine concern and told Sister McCormick that she needs to pray about her decision to go home and get the help that she needs. We both just cried hysterically. I am crying right now just thinking about it. Yesterday we fasted for her to receive guidance to know what she should do. She received a priesthood blessing and after we both knew that her time was up in the DC South Mission. After the blessing I was trying to regain my composure and asked if I could receive a blessing as well. I am so sad right now but I know that this is what the Lord wants her to do. What is so awesome about a mission is that Sister McCormick and I will be friends forever. I am so heartbroken and have not cried this much since the time that I left you guys.
President and Sister Riggs are getting the plans together and she will most likely be leaving within the week. I really don't know what the Lord has in store for me but I know that I need to trust in his plan. One big thing that I have learned from Sister McCormick is how real depression is. I was reading this morning in the last Conference issue. I read the talk by Elder Holland, "Like a Broken Vessel." I love this talk and it really spoke to me today. One of my favorite parts says, "let us remember that through any illness or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions!"
I know that Sister McCormick served selflessly and gave it her absolute all. I know that when she returns home that the Lord will be saying, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21)
I love my Savior and I am grateful for the chance that I have had to rely on him like never before. He is my rock! Please keep Sister McCormick in your prayers. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!
Love,
Sister Smith
I want you all to know how blessed I am to serve with Sister McCormick. Today my email will have a lot to do with her and what she is going through. I have not really mentioned much in my last emails so I will catch you up real quick.
Sister McCormick got Lyme disease in July and was bedridden for 2 months. The doctors even put her on parasite medication and it just made matters worse. She is such a tough cookie and pushed through and knew that she would be able to overcome this. She got better but knew that she would have Lymes for the rest of her life. Shortly before I became her companion she became a Sister Training Leader and her depression started acting up pretty badly. (She thinks that the Lymes sparked it but she feels like she has had it all of her life). When I became her companion it continued to get worse every day. She rarely had the energy to get up in the morning and get to studies. We would have are good days and we would have our bad days. On multiple occasions I just cried and cried because I knew that the way she was acting wasn't her. These last two months I have grown like never before. I feel like we have become such great friends because we have clung to each other through this difficult time. This past week Sister McCormick could barely work. I have been in my apartment for the past 3-4 days. We had a member bring us blankets so it could keep us busy. Sister Riggs came to our apartment 2 days ago and talked to us to see how everything was going. She expressed genuine concern and told Sister McCormick that she needs to pray about her decision to go home and get the help that she needs. We both just cried hysterically. I am crying right now just thinking about it. Yesterday we fasted for her to receive guidance to know what she should do. She received a priesthood blessing and after we both knew that her time was up in the DC South Mission. After the blessing I was trying to regain my composure and asked if I could receive a blessing as well. I am so sad right now but I know that this is what the Lord wants her to do. What is so awesome about a mission is that Sister McCormick and I will be friends forever. I am so heartbroken and have not cried this much since the time that I left you guys.
President and Sister Riggs are getting the plans together and she will most likely be leaving within the week. I really don't know what the Lord has in store for me but I know that I need to trust in his plan. One big thing that I have learned from Sister McCormick is how real depression is. I was reading this morning in the last Conference issue. I read the talk by Elder Holland, "Like a Broken Vessel." I love this talk and it really spoke to me today. One of my favorite parts says, "let us remember that through any illness or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions!"
I know that Sister McCormick served selflessly and gave it her absolute all. I know that when she returns home that the Lord will be saying, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21)
I love my Savior and I am grateful for the chance that I have had to rely on him like never before. He is my rock! Please keep Sister McCormick in your prayers. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!
Love,
Sister Smith