My name is Monica Painter. In a short year and a half from now, I will be heading out into an unknown land to serve the people and share the gospel. In the mean-time, I'm preparing to go by learning from the oddest of experiences and the greatest of life lessons. I hope you'll enjoy my story as much as I will enjoy living it.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and unwavering, as is the Lord's hand in all things. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I can never predict what it is I will be expected to do or when or how I'm going to do that. But somehow "it always works out." If I ever make a life plan, odds are how it will really happen is nowhere near what I had envisioned. But I guess I'm okay with that-- it seems the Lord knows what's best anyway every time, so I kind of just do what I feel I'm supposed to and let Him take the reigns.
So what had I planned? Well, you see, right now I'm waiting for a missionary of my own. One that I had intended on marrying swiftly after his return. Yeahhhhh apparently not. Well, at least not in that order. I still fully intend on carrying out with that (he's my best friend, I'm not letting him escape that easy) but there's a slight breach in the time span. Rather than the 2 year wait, I'll be embarking on another year and a half of service myself. Sometimes, I admit, that's discouraging for a girl in puppy love (can you still call it that? It's been over a year of dating. I don't know that that's what it's called anymore..)
Anyway, I fully support Elder Hammer. In fact, his adventures are the best. He is serving in Armenia, Yerevan basically until I set out. He's already been out seven months. Crazy, right? We'll see each other for maybe a summer time and then I head out. But if you'd like to hear of his shenanigans, I highly suggest reading his mission blog: elderhammersmissionpage.blogspot.com
Elder Hammer is my hero.
He is probably the most kind human being I have ever met that has walked this earth. This is a shoutout to Jared Carl Hammer, that California boy from Santa Monica. You make me very proud, and you are an inspiration to me every day. Love you!
Anyway, enough of the mush.
I just thought I would get this going, seeing as the time span is about the same as when I will be out. So we'll see how quickly the time flies!
In the German words of my good friend Elder Cole Patterson...
Alle meine Liebe,
(Not Quite Sister) Monica Painter
People I have Learned From
I'm going to post photos and lessons I've learned from people as they occur. It'll help remind me why I do what I do, and acknowledge those people for the good they do. Many will be missionaries, because at this point, they apply to me the most. So this week I would like to highlight four boys-- 3 missionaries, and a new convert.
ELDER JARED HAMMER
Armenia, Yerevan Mission
How could I not learn from my best friend? He teaches me something great every week in his emails home. I love that boy. This week he gave me a greater appreciation for the story of the Master of the Vineyard. He also gave me a greater appreciation for the members in Armenia-- what neat people. In the photo I posted for Jared, he is out in the field with some new investigators.
Anyway, he is always giving me weekly advice about how I can prepare (very thoughtful of him.) This week he shared some wisdom with me about what he's learned of companionship:
"Companionship unity if where everything starts. You could be best friends with one another and inevitably someone will get ticked (that's what happens when you live with another human 24/7. Getting to the source of the problem and what/who is causing it is the best way to deal with things."
Jared has been out 30 weeks.
ELDER TRISTAN MAYFIELD
Indiana, Indianaoplis Mission
Tristan and Jared were my first home teachers at BYU. They have become my closest friends and most trusted allies. Tristan has taught me a very important lesson about missionary work: It's somewhat like a battle and we're the soldiers (in the nicest way possible, of course.) Each week he writes back in this manner: "HAIL! FROM LOGANSPORT!" Or Connersville or where-ever the heck he may be in Indiana. It's always a pleasure hearing from Tristan (though I need to write him back-- it's been like two months. I'm a bad friend.) because he is so unique in the manner that he learns and pumps out information. He always says "do it anyway" for basically everything, and he's always got some crazy people he's found each week. He keeps life interesting for us all, I propose. But he really is a great missionary-- can't beat that enthusiasm. ... Or his "Captain's Coat." ... :) In the words of Tristan: "THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S!!!"
I want to say he has been out about 28 weeks, just shy of Jared's.
ELDER COLE PATTERSON
Germany, Berlin Mission
Cole is always so positive. I have never seen a single email where he has whined or been upset. Each week he is more gong-ho than I have probably ever been in my life. Way to be Cole. Way to be. He's been out 45 weeks.
JEFF DOTY
My best friend growing up,
and newest member to the Church
I got the opportunity to speak at my best friend Jeff's baptism over Thanksgiving break. What a treat that was. He shared such tender words with me afterwards, I probably cried. I don't remember. But anyway, Jeff is so in tune with the spirit-- it's unbelievable.
The funny thing about Jeff is that he has always been around to hear the gospel but just wasn't quite perfectly ready to accept it. It only took me sliding my car out in Provo Canyon to get the message across that our Heavenly Father knows us fully and completely. Had I known I would have to do that to be able to bear that testimony so sincerely, it makes me unsure if I would do it again willingly. .... Hm... Yes, yes I would. Completely worth it.
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