I didn't get to write yesterday because of the holiday, but we have permission to write today. It just means that it will maybe be shorter. Which is so sad because so much has happened this week!
First of all, on Tuesday night Transfer Calls came. I am training Sister Kerby Hodson from Pleasant Grove, Utah.
I only had a couple of days left with Sister Hinckley and we made them good ones. I really do love her. She was really sad to leave, but her family will be glad to see her. She has a happy life ahead of her. It wasn't always an easy companionship, but once I learned a little more patience, I was able to see how much good and how much love were in her. She really was a sweet sister. I wish her well.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, I had meetings in Independence at 7:20 am (and it is a 40 minute drive away). A lady from Salt Lake came to train all of the VC sisters, so I got to drive out and be trained even though I am not in the centers right now. I got really emotional. I was suddenly very homesick for the VC. I miss it so much!! But the training was amazing. I love being a VC sister more than I could have ever imagined. What an amazing opportunity to be the face of the church!
Then on Thursday was Transfers. Again, we had to be in Independence by 7:30. We were so sleep deprived. Sister Hinckley really cried when she left, which was sad. But she will do well once she adjusts back to being home.
Then I got to meet Sister Hodson! She's a little quieter, but I love her so much already! Our senses of humor really are similar, so we laugh a lot. I really like her. She's really jumped in with both feet, and isn't really afraid of anything. I am working on giving her more chances to talk more, because she is quiet, but she has great things to say, and she really belongs here. Sometimes I forget that she is a new missionary. She really doesn't act like one. With a little practice, she's going to do well.
Once Sister Hodson got here, our area exploded with work to do. I don't know what happened, but we found 4 golden new investigators, and 1 golden for someone else's area. Everything has been a miracle! I don't have a lot of time, so here is a list of stuff that has happened recently.
- two elders in my mission got into a serious car accident. One of them was life flighted to another hospital. President Keyes had to spend the whole night with them. We were all praying for them. The next evening, he drove them back to their apartment in their area for them to rest up and go back to work. Neither of them had any broken bones, and neither of them had to go home. It was a miracle. The doctors said they had never seen someone walk out of the hospital so soon after needing to be life flighted. That's all I know about it, but we are so grateful for the miracle!
- We contacted another Temple Open house referral named Donna. She's amazing! We connected right away. She told us everything she was stressing about and we all got emotional. I think she sees how she needs the gospel for her and for her kids.
- We also contacted another referral of a Part Member Family in the ward. As soon as we walked in, the dad said he hasn't been to church in 20 years (he's the member), but he wants to turn his life around and have his girlfriend and kids baptized. He also informed us he wanted us to come over 2-3 times a week to teach his kids. He also told us he wasn't married to his girl friend, but he knew that had to change. Amazing.
- We had another family in the ward approach us and tell us that their niece wants to meet with us. She's been attending church with them for a while, and her goal is to be baptized before she is 18, which is in 3 months. She's super excited to meet with us, and is a wonderful girl. She was in the Cultural Celebration for the temple.
- Jasmine was baptized this week! This should have been sooner on the list! She didn't count for our numbers, but we don't care. We love her. We got there and it turned out that there was no jump suit for her to wear, so we had to wait for a nearby member to bring her a temple dress to wear. It only started 15 minutes late. The Area 70, Stake President, Bishop, and 30 singles all came, as well as Jasmine's parents. I gave the Holy Ghost talk, which went well. The dress went see-through, but we got her out of the water and gave her a towel, so it was fine. Her parents were both visibly moved (to tears), and her mom is very supportive. We hope to teach them soon.
- Like I mentioned earlier, our members had us teach their coworker in their home. He was very interested and shocked that Joseph Smith was so young. "And he translated the Book of Mormon? Wow." he said. He said if he knew it was true that he would be baptized. That was Sister Hodson's first first lesson. Amazing. It went really well.
- Then we were the key note speakers for a fireside for the youth in the ward, and we were late! aahh! I was stressed. But it worked out. We ran in, ran to the front (it was in a member's home, so less of a big deal) and started. It went really well. The youth in this area are amazing. Two nonmember youth came, and they got to hear about what missionary work is about and what it is like. They asked the most questions. It was fun.
What a crazy week! Summer has officially started (by the temperature anyway) this week. It is hot and humid. We played ultimate with the elders yesterday, and I think I over did it a little bit. I am tired. Oh, well. Even running at 6:30 in the morning is hot. I am kind of dreading being on bikes later this week, but the word on the street is that our full time car is on the way, so that will be very nice. I've seen my first fireflies! They aren't just a fairy tale! That was so cool. :) I haven't gotten any chigger bites yet, so that is nice, too. Did you know that ticks are normal out here? One of our members had Limes disease, so that is real. Gross. Good thing I'm in the city here.
Anyhoo, I think that is everything! I love you and will have more time next week! (And I will send pictures next week, too!)
Love,
Sister April Atkin
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