Sister Aldous

Dear Family,

 

What a week!

So transfers were today so I am sitting her with my brand new companion, Sister Aldous. I love her already. She has a lot in common with me, and she's ready to be obedient and work hard. :)

Here's a story:

So about a month ago the Adams showed us a list of all of the new sisters coming out. The name of Sister Aldous stood out to me, but I didn't think too much of it. Then some of the sisters at the center (Two of my favorites) mentioned that their good friend was coming out soon to this very mission! Her name was Sister Aldous. I thought that was so exciting because I loved both of those sisters, so a friend of theirs is a friend of mine. I thought to myself that I would love to train her.

Then the time started getting closer and they started to be excited to have her come. I got excited too, and told them that I really wanted to train her, but I didn't know if I could because I would only get 5 weeks with her. I got kind of excited about the idea, but I had to prep myself to be not disappointed if I didn't get to train. But then I got the call! Then I had to prep myself to be not disappointed if it wasn't Sister Aldous. For some reason I really really wanted to train her even though I didn't know her. I think I even prayed about it. But I tried to not be too stuck on the idea.

As it got closer and closer I had to push away my excitement. I just wanted it to be her!

Then I got to transfer bus, and it was her!!! I just knew it!! I even wrote in my journal about wanting it to be her a few days ago.

Sister Aldous even looks a little like me. she has brown hair. She's a nursing student at BYU. She's from Portland. She's great. She likes laughing, being obedient, working hard, she's confident and happy, and wonderful. I'm excited. I got nervous and awkward at first because she's exactly what I wanted her to be. :) Hopefully I can work through that. We're going to be friends.

Sister Harding is going out to Manhattan, KS. She's serving in a singles' ward at the university, which is her biggest fear after serving in a Visitors' Center. She'll do great. I learned a lot from training her. She's grown so much and is so much less shy. I'm proud.

Last Saturday was the trainers' meeting for those training new missionaries. As we were leaving, President Keyes took time to shake all of our hands and talk to us for a second. He shook my hand and said, "There is no greater compliment for a missionary than to train at the end of their mission. It means you are trusted." I almost burst into tears right there. It meant so much to hear that from him. I trust him 100% and his opinion of me means a lot. I feel honored to be training again.

On Sunday we had a devotional at our church about temples. The temple president, Stake president and mission president all spoke. It was fabulous. There were as many musical numbers as speakers, and they were phenomenal. Our investigator loved it.

Also, remember Kris, who fell off of the face of the earth? We talked to his roommate yesterday, and he said he hasn't seen him for a month either, and all of his stuff is still there. I hope he didn't die... He thinks that Kris is out touring with his brother's band. I hope to see him again someday.

Another miracle. Our new investigator that I told you about that is a young mom. When we met her last week, she let us right in and we taught her the first lesson. It was awesome! Well, we went for our return appointment, and we knew we needed to bring a member with us. The member we felt good about is a young mom, too. Well, when we texted her to ask her to come with us to visit Shaleece, she asked, is that Shaleece ******** (sorry, I guess I should keep her privacy.) Yes!! That is her! Turns out, they had worked together for three years and were good friends! The perfect team up! She wasn't there for our appointment, but we have a connection now that can facebook her and stuff like that.

So life is good. I feel like things are really starting to get rolling in our area. I am so glad. I am so happy! I am ready to work my tail off. :)

I love you!

 

Love,

Sister Atkin