Jan 13, 2014

Well we had about the best week ever! Mainly because Saturday was a rockstar of a day. We were finally able to meet with 3 of our potentials and set up return appointments with 2 others. We've been trying to see Shirleen since about day one. The Elders had given her as a referral to us. I think we've tried to see her at least twice a week for the last 10 weeks! And we finally saw her on Saturday! Woot! She is already reading the Book of Mormon and has the most adorable daughters. We are going to see her again on Tuesday. Another that we taught was Crystal. She has four adorable kids and I met her on exchanges about 5 weeks ago. She is super sweet and so ready to learn! We also taught Serena. We've seen her a couple of times but this last time we were really able to understand where she's coming from and that she really does want God in her life. Last night we saw Jolene, who is going through a lot of stressful stuff and is looking for God in her life. She is going to read the Book of Mormon. We pulled up to her house and as we were praying, she pulled up too! The Lord for sure planned that one. We also saw Melissa this week. She and her husband have recently decided to divorce. He doesn't believe in God and didn't really want her meeting with us. She can finally learn more and is going to read the Book of Mormon too! We also ate dinner at a members' home and they invited their non-member friend to join us! Lisa is her name and we had helped her do yard work early in November. We taught her how to do family home evening and on Saturday we went over and helped clean her house because she just refinished all her floors. Her two daughters are darling. Maggie is 3 and looks like a precious moments doll. She is also hilarious. 

I've thought a lot about why it took so long to find good solid investigators. It seems last this last week was the culmination of our last 10 weeks of hard work. The more I think about it, the more I realize it was probably because I needed to really learn how to rely on the Lord. I'm not very good at allowing others to help me (actually I'm pretty bad at it). But over these past 10 weeks I think I've finally realized that missionary work isn't about me. It's about allowing the Lord to help others through me. Therefore, I need to ensure that He can help them by being aware of the Spirit, obedient, trusting, and hard working. 

I had a fun experience this week! I started talking to a lady in the old people towers. Before I know it, she was crying and saying that she didn't want to talk anymore and went in to her room. I honestly didn't even say anything mildly offensive. We were just talking about her faith in Christ. I felt really really bad. When we walked past her door again, we noticed her keys were still in the door! So we had a reason to knock! We apologized for making her cry, sang her a song and gave her our card. She was much happier and said she even may call us! Woot! 

I had to give a training in district meeting this week. I love how much things like this stress me out...not! It was on how to measure success as a missionary. I learned a lot about myself and how I set unrealistic expectations in order to feel good about myself! The Lord thinks I can do it and so should I! (cheesy sister missionary for the win!)

On Thursday night we went out with members of the ward council to visit members of the ward. I went with Sister Sandoval. We decided we are the dream team because we went together last time. Both times we have seen people where Sister Fletcher and her partner never do. Muahaha

We volunteered for 7 hours at the ARC thrift store this week. Woot! They have the best old timey radio station. It makes me feel like I'm in the Sandlot (mainly because this week they played the song that plays when Squints kisses Wendy Pfeffercorn). 

This week we also went to the temple! It was awesome! The roads were clear and for the first time, I didn't think about myself and my problems. The overwhelming thought I had was just how much I want the blessings and peace that I have because of the gospel for all of my investigators.

Funny Stuff

Sister Utley is the best ever and fed us sister missionaries cracker jacks during sacrament meeting. She's 32 but I think she's about 8 on the inside. She also has the best clothes ever and I look forward to Sunday every week just to see what she will wear! 

We also discovered this week a less-active we've been trying to see actually goes by Vicky and not Viola. Glad we got that one cleared up. 

I have been having weird dreams this week. I dreamed I was called to be an AP at the MTC and I was in charge of keeping the sisters and Elders in their separate dorms. It was stressful! 

Also this morning when we woke up we randomly started playing a word rhyming game with words that rhyme with -ale. I wasn't fully awake but sister fletcher told me I was a rockstar at it haha. When she couldn't think of anymore I kept going for about 5 minutes spouting off all the words I knew. 

We may or may not have accidentally left our mission twice yesterday...that's what happens when your area is at the very edge! We did discover that there is a very cool aquarium right close that we can't go to! 

Hope you all have a great week! WOOT!