The Refiners Fire

Okay, this is a quick one. I'll send more updates on "events" another week...
Onto the important stuff...

Well transfer calls came on Saturday.

I'm in. Jorgensen's out.

SAD day for me.

I know it's for the best. And I'm SO grateful for the transfers we've had together. We've helped each other through a lot of hard times. And spent a lot of fantastic, miraculous and unforgettable times together. I can't ask for much more than that.

It's definitely time for Sister Jorgensen to experience something new. She's been in Midwood for the past 4 transfers... this is where she started her mission, and now she's ready to go spread her wings.  Midwood- Spanish is hard. It just is. Simple as that. And I am so grateful she will be able to see that it's different other places.

Now. Don't misunderstand me. There is joy to be had here. And I love Brooklyn so much. I've loved the time I've spent here. But sometimes it's really easy to feel like you're not making a bit of difference. There have been many occasions where I've wondered why. Why? Why did you bring me here? Who is benefiting from this? Why did you cut me down so early?

And then I remember. I remember something I watched in that moment when I wondered if 18 months of full time missionary service was really something I could do. I was waiting for my mission call and feeling quite hopeless....

"I am the gardener here. And I know what I want you to be."

Please click the link for a Mormon Message http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1839005837001

Thank you for loving me enough to hurt me.

Sometimes in life, we are that current bush. We feel like we've grown up and we've got it made... or at least like we're "good enough". But He doesn't want you to be "good enough". He has something better in mind. He's the gardener.  He knows what he wants us to be. He understands what we are capable of.

So whether you're a missionary in Midwood about to get a new companion and scared out of your mind... or you're a mom struggling with your wayward child, or a father who's out of work and have no idea how you're going to take care of your family... whoever you may be... just remember. You're gonna make it. He knows how strong you are. And you needed to be cut down in order to become what you have the potential to become. Growing pains suck sometimes. But when you look back one day and see where you came from it will all be worth it.

Just keep going. There is hope, and you're here for a reason!

Love Always and Forever,

Hermana Franklin

This is a picture of the Sunset in Far Rockaway that we got to see yesterday at the Hurricane Sandy commemoration!