Sept. 8

Hola Familia!

What an incredibly overwhelming week. I am so grateful for the spirit that has guided me so fully and completely as I have faced things that I never have before on my mission. I am just so incredibly grateful.

We had a sister activity on Monday. I could tell something was off with Sis Keavali and her companion. It didn't feel right. Sister Keavali was completely shut down. I called President Murdock and told him how concerned I was. They decided to do an emergency transfer the next day.

Sister Keavali had a panic attack on Monday night. I knew there was a reason why I asked you to pray for her. President Murdock called us at 8 and told us we needed to go to their house right then. As we drove up, the ambulance was already outside. My heart dropped. We raced inside. The firemen carried her down the stairs in a blanket. She was completely unresponsive. She had come home, laid down on her bed, and had convulsions and wouldn't focus or respond to anyone.

Sister Lara, Loertscher, and myself raced to the hospital behind them. Thankfully they live with a member and that member came with us to the hospital. I am so thankful for Sister Allison (the member). She kept us all calm. At one point, Sister Keavali stopped breathing and it was the scariest moment of my mission. They finally calmed her down. Sister Rodriguez came with her comp as well, Sister Seru. Sister Seru and Sister Keavali went to high school together. She came in case we needed a translator. President Atkinson, our mission president's councilor, came with Elder Barfield and Elder Edgel to give her a blessing. As soon as they came, I felt so much more peace. In the blessing, she was told that others on the other side were aware of her and helping. I almost lost it at that point. Her mom passed away 2 weeks before her mission. I felt her presence there. After the blessing, the change in Sister Keavali was astounding. She was responsive, alert, and starting to smile. Sister Lara, Loertscher, and Rodriguez headed home so Sister Loertscher could pack. Sister Seru and I stayed with Sister Keavali. She had to get an x-ray and a cat scan. They think she may have had a seizure. She told us that she was so happy when president called and said they were emergency transferring her comp and then she felt so guilty that she should have helped more. We helped her remember that she can't fix everyone. Our job is to bring people unto Christ, not be psychiatrists! I just love that girl so much and I am so thankful that she is okay. I hope it was a good wake up call for everyone involved, not only just how fragile life is but how important it is that we talk about the things we are going through rather than just keep them inside.

We stayed at the hospital until 1:00 a.m. Rebel missionaries! Woot! Sis Keavali was bummed because they had to cut off the shirt she was wearing. It was one I had just given to her. When we got to their house, the other 3 sisters were still awake and packing. Sister Lara and I headed home while the other 4 stayed there. In the morning we went back so Sister Rod and Sister Seru could go home and get ready. I got to run some errands with Sister Loertscher before she left and the change in her was so apparent. She is changing through the Atonement. We ate at Sonic, almost got locked out of their house, and lounged around waiting for Sister Murdock. I was so exhausted. For some reason that morning I decided to still wake up at 6:30 (why am I so obedient?). Sister Murdock brought Sister Koenig with her from Denver.  Sister Keavali and Sister Koenig are doing swimmingly. They are working so hard and are laughing and smiling a lot. I am so happy that everything is working out. Sister Keavali has the same light about her as she did before. I am so grateful for the spirit that has guided me throughout this experience. 
We had exchanges with the 12th sisters this week. Sister Baker came with me to my area. She is incredible. Plus she wears stirrup pants for pajamas. I was so tired and may or may not have stopped at a green light. A girl we are teaching, who is 12, and her little cousin, who is 6, did a "God cheer" for us. "Go God!" At one point the little one was on top of the others shoulder and they were yelling, "A FLYING ANGEL!"  "Jesus is our Saviour!" complete with cheerleader hand motions. Too good. That girl also told us that her boyfriend broke up with her earlier that day, "And he even gave me 65 cents earlier. Who does that?"  Sister Baker really wants to stay focused for the last little bit of her mission. She sometimes feels like she is holding back the work because they aren't as motivated as they could be and she sometimes has to spend time making sure her companion is okay. I told her to remember the celebrate the little victories and to "cheerfully do all things in her power" (one of my current favorite scriptures D&C 23:17). She has such righteous desires. I love her so much! I could tell that she is going home soon as the majority of our conversation was about babies, weddings, boyfriends, and elders and sisters from our mission who are now home and dating each other haha.
Something that Sister Hilton (my STL comp) and I are trying to be more effective at is staying in contact with the sisters and letting them know how our goals are going. This last week our sisters had 18 people at church! Incredible!
One of the miracles of my week was that 3 of our investigators came to church! Miley and her two sons, Aidan and Dagan came! We first had an incredibly powerful lesson with a member on Thursday (our first member present of the transfer!). Sister Price bore such powerful testimony (plus her name is Kaitlyn!). Randomly in the middle of the lesson, Dagan, the 9 year old, interjected, "Can we come to church?" I almost started crying. They are so close to the spirit. The older one, Aidan, who is 11, said the closing prayer. On Saturday we had a church tour with them. Miley said she had never before heard her son pray like that and she had only ever drug the youngest one to church before. She said she really wanted to pay attention to what was right in front of her face. She has a lot of questions but I know with the spirit they can be baptized! We invited them to be baptized on October 4th and they said they would think about it! Miley has some word of wisdom problems. Matt, her husband, is completely uninterested. Miley was concerned that would be a problem in our "patriarchal society" but we told her that we love everybody, no matter what their family is like! And then they came to church and were even 15 minutes early! Hallelujah!
I told April, a recent convert, that if she bore her testimony I would bear mine. Well she did! So I had to too. It was a huge step because she has a lot of social anxiety. And she even said a prayer in relief society!
We helped a lot of people move this week. We have a very transient ward.
Sister Lara is such a great companion. She is loving and kind and easygoing. She really just wants to do the right thing. And plus she has a great laugh!
I am continuing to work on the attribute of charity. I know that the best thing I can do as a leader is love these sisters! They are so dear to me and I am so thankful for the privilege I have of teaching and sharing with them so that they may continue a chain of righteousness and obedience in our mission!
Sister Rodriguez has been struggling a little bit but it's nothing detrimental. It's just enough to help her grow. I love her so much and was so worried about her. It was stopping me from doing the work. I knew I needed a blessing but sometimes it just takes some time for me to realize it or act on what I know I need to do. I finally called Brother Barney, a member in the ward, to ask for one. I have gotten a blessing from him before. I love their family so much. They have helped me to feel at home here in this area. The Barneys have a hilarious Sunday tradition where they hot tub as a family and talk about their week. They have 2 darling little kids, Dylan (7) and Allison (6). Brother Barney said he felt like he needed to get out of the hot tub and go inside. Sister Barney asked him what he was doing and he felt like he just needed to be inside. Right when he walked in, his phone was ringing and it was us. Talk about inspired.  In the blessing, I learned that I need to let Sis Rodriguez go in order for her to grow. I will continue to pray for her always and let her know how much I love her. I just need to remember that her burdens are hers. She and Sister Seru are working hard and are seeing so many miracles. I won't fully understand my relationships that I have made here on my mission until later in life.  I was reminded that God really does love me. The blessing was so specific and tailored to exactly what I am going through right now. It was such an evidence of  God's reality. I have been called to serve in the Grand Junction 6th ward. I need to remember that. I was having some difficulty focusing on the work here because I love 9th ward with my entire heart and soul. I am so thankful for the reminder to really be here. Everything I have experienced in my life and in my mission has prepared me for this time to be serving in this ward and I am going to make the most of it! The Lord needs me here. I have been prepared for this time.  I was promised that as I focus on the my daily tasks that I will be able to continue to run the Lord's errands and the time will fly quickly. YIKES. I will also be able to share with my husband and children this time of my mission with fondness. I was saved for this dispensation to share the gospel. It's not a burden because God knows I can do it. The most important thing I can do is let people know that I love them. So I want you all to know that I love you and that I love God! Everyday I see miracles and guidance from my Father in Heaven. He is more aware than we will ever know. You should all read Omni 1:26 and try and give your whole souls this week!

I LOVE MY MISSION!

HOSPITAL ADVENTURES. The best yellow socks in the world.