Fall in Missouri

Dearest Family,

What a beautiful day! It is officially officially fall here. It is beautiful. There are so many trees, and they are all changing colors. I get to wear jackets again, which I love. Yay to not being hot anymore!

On Saturday was our Gladys Knight event. It was a smashing success. She brought out a huge crowd and a ton of referrals were sent out from it. What a blessing to have that here in our mission.

Missionaries could only go if they had investigators, but we don't really have real investigators yet. We tried and invited a bunch of people up to the last minute, but no one could/would go. So we didn't get to go. Sister Harding was a little disappointed. I was, too. But for the past few days I had had a feeling that not only would we not go, but that we shouldn't go. I let Sister Harding invite a bunch of people over the phone, but I just knew we weren't supposed to go. I still don't know all why, but I think the Lord gave me that so that we could be comforted about not being able to go. We had dinner with a member instead, and she had had bad experiences with the missionaries recently, so I think we needed to go comfort her and help her like us again. Maybe that's why. But we also didn't get any referrals from it. Some of the sisters got up to 14! Again, I just feel peace about it. This event was important, but it wasn't for us.

We did get lost for roughly 2 hours this week. I was really frustrating, especially because we were using up our miles and time--both precious commodities. The elders finally let us borrow their map, so we have a map of our area (if outdated in the boundaries). They also let us borrow their GPS, which has been a life saver. Hopefully things get better from here on out.

Our Ward Mission Leader and his wife have been wonderful. They feed us and buy us groceries and tell us we are great. I don't know what we would do if we didn't have their support. This ward is great.

By now you surely know that Margo Ahnder came to the Visitors' Center. It was Sunday, and I am only at the VC for three hours on Sunday. She came in and I was even the next up to take a group through! I was so happy to see her. They are so sweet. I was able to thank her for teaching me piano, which has been a very useful skill on my mission. It was a real blessing to see them

This Sunday was Stake Conference. I met someone visiting from Logan--Hugie (however you spell it) originally from College Ward. They wondered if they could bring you anything back from me, but I had nothing to send. Sorry! But I do love you!

Stake Conference was so good! Elder Baxter of the Seventy came and spoke. He's amazing. He told us that the MTC is going to cut the length of time missionaries stay there by 1/3. So Willie would have only stayed 2 weeks! Language missionaries staying 9 weeks will now only have 6. The idea is pump more missionaries through, and have them do more in-field training.

We did exchanges yesterday with sister in the Independence 1st Ward. Since I am Sister Leader, we get to do 4 this transfer--one every week. It's a lot, but it is good. It is one of the hardest things the Lord could ask Sister Harding to do, but it is probably the best thing she could do. She did great. She did it and faced her fears. I'm proud of her. Exchanges are interesting to see how everyone does things a little differently. These sisters are great planners and studiers. I am learning a lot from them. It is interesting to see how everyone has different teaching styles, though. I guess my style is a little...more passionate than some other sisters. Depending on the part of the lesson, I can get very animated. I try to have ebbs and flows in the lesson. I guess I am not a stiff missionary. This sister was so sweet, and talked slowly and quietly through the lesson. I am not like that at all. I get excited. I want an interesting discussion. But the work needs all kinds--some people will definitely respond better to her quietness. And some people will need my passion. Just interesting to see the differences in action.

Things are slowing down at the Visitors' Center. All of the major events in the mission (conference, Gladys Knight, History trip) are out of the way, so the schedule is much less stressful. It is making my life much easier. Some of the sisters were really struggling at first, but they seem to be doing better. I really am starting to appreciate all that our mission president does. I wasn't really as aware of it until I had this chance to see all of the details he takes care of, and all of the struggling missionaries he helps. He really is an angel. I am so grateful to be serving with President Keyes. This last week he has taken the time personally to help some of the sisters at the center who were struggling, and it has made a real difference. He loves us. He has given this mission everything. I am so grateful for all that he does.

Well, I'm sorry I don't have cooler stories, but know that I am happy. Life is good here. I can't imagine ever leaving, so I won't.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Atkin