Monday
We had a fabulous p-day! We did the usual (email, groceries, laundry, cleaning) and also had a district lunch at Dos Hombres, a really classy Mexican place here in GJ. Afterwards we headed to the mall for some shopping. It was Sister Remington's birthday. Since she was both mine and Sister Rodriguez's first companion we met up with her. I found 97 cent shoes at Old Navy that made my day. Monday night we ate with our Ward Mission Leader. He has so many chickens (frightening) and wear overalls around his house. We just love him. One of my favorite moments of the transfer so far was after a lesson with our investigator Kim (who is about 50) when we were leaving her house. Brother Beynon came with us and as we walked he says, "You have a nice lawn, little girl." Sister Rod and I always quote him. It was, I think, the funniest thing he has ever said. Sis Rod and I laugh at everything though, so it may not have been that funny. Monday night we taught Erin. She is so amazing! The spirit in her home is almost tangible. She knows it is true and more than that, she loves it! The gospel really makes her happy! One of my favorite things she has said is, "I've found a little piece of happiness and I'm never letting it go." It made me so happy that she is happy. We also met with the Berries. They are coming to church a lot more regularly and Brother Berrie just got a calling this last Sunday!
Tuesday
We were both really sick Tuesday morning. We've both been trying to get over colds and I think we are finally doing it! We both couldn't function so we slept a bit. I slept til 8 AM and then my conscience took over so I had to get up and study. Sis Rod slept until 2 (clearly she was a little more sick than me). When we did get out and about we had an amazing time! We saw Kim with Bro Beynon (see lawn story above). She wants to change but doesn't believe that she can. I just wish she could see herslef the way that God does. We also saw Pam and Lily (who had the birthday party last week) and ate ice cream for dinner. Usually this ward is amazing at feeding us but for some reason the last 2 weeks have been slim pickin's. That's okay because we have more bonding time as comps and we get to be creative about our meals when we are bored! Luckily, Graff's Dairy here in town gives free ice cream to missionaries! And I swear I really am trying to break the stereotype of every missionary that goes to the US being a lot heavier when they get home...We also taught Milt and Patty with Brother And Sister Lewis. Patty agreed to pray about a baptismal date! Woot! She is so sweet! Also fun fact, Milt was baptized in the Milk River in Montana! I about died when he said that! Bonding!
Wednesday
We went to Collbran! I also got the best package ever with Eatmores in it! Looks like I'm going to have to do some more hiking! In Collbran, we saw the Schowalters. Bro S is a member but his wife is not. She has met with missionaries for probably 20 years off and on. She admitted she had never actually read the Book of Mormon with a serious attitude but committed this time to do it! Miracles! One of my favorite parts about being in Collbran is being able to do the farmer wave to all the people driving and they do it back!
Thursday
We had a zone meeting! One of my ZL's is an Elder I came out with so that's pretty fun. We were divided into groups and had to make cookies without a recipe. I randomly just felt like I knew what we needed to put in and my team trusted me so we went for it and ours were the best! It was to teach us that we need the recipe to be a good missionary and not just the best intentions. It's all about learning the skillz. I love meetings because they remind me of the missionary that I want to become. We had our primary president lined up to come to Erin's with us but Erin had to cancel because she wasn't feeling well. So instead we asked Sis Rice (the president) if she had anyone she wanted to visit and she did! Because of her we met an amazing part member/less-active family to teach! The Jankes! He said he has been investigating the church for about 20 years and feels like he is about ready to be baptized! Without Sis Rice we never would have found them! We also saw our investigator Tonia this day with Sister Sorenson. Tonia is very quiet and reserved but shared with actually opened to us this visit! It's a lot easier to teach someone when you know who they are.
Friday
SISTER RODRIGUEZ TURNED 22 THIS DAY! Woot! We had a day of celebration. We sang a little bit tooooo much Taylor Swift (as we are now both 22) Yay for having a companion as old as me! We ate french toast for breakfast, I made cupcakes, we wore party hats all day long, her parents sent her flowers, we ate lunch with the 6th sisters and jumped on their trampoline, and I sang to her about 40,000 times. My old comp, Sister Tew, even stopped by too! She's the best and it was so fun to see her again! Plus she is darling! Later we had a meeting with Bro B and the Elders in his backyard with all his chickens...Bro B was wearing his farmer outfit. It was too good. Plus he gave Sis Rod a tour of his garden for her birthday. We also met Jessica Hemmer, who the elders referred us too. She is amazing and is prepared and we have a return appt. She's a young single mom of 3 and I'm so excited to meet with her!
Saturday
We weeded the Cross' yard for 2 hours and bonded over Even Stevens. Yet another reason why I love Sis Rod. We also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity. We knocked some doors, chased down a mexican man named Fernando, and contacted referrals. Though not much came of it, I know the Lord will bless this area for our efforts. We taught Milt and Patty again and they were wearing the best cowboy outfits I have ever seen. Something I have been dealing with my entire mission, is my insecurities in who I am. Each day I am learning more and more that because I am a daughter of God I can do hard things. Even if I am awkward or I make bad choices, He will still love me. The Atonement really does allow me every day to become better than I was before. I love knowing that and I love learning how to love myself more fully so that I can love others!
Sunday
I played the organ and accompanied the YW's musical number. They hadn't practiced much but it turned out really well. The YW got to share testimonies in Sacrament about Girl's camp and it sure brought back some great memories from my youth (like stealing cakes and putting mustard in Jayna's sleeping bag, and making up nick names for everyone and their dog). Sis Rod also got to share her testimony. She sure is great! She is one of the least judgmental people that I know. And plus she laughs at all my jokes. Our Sunday School class is a gong show. It is full of the most random people and they make some pretty hilraious comments. Plus our ward mission leader's wife teaches it and she has a crazy almost grover like voice when she gets excited! It's the best! Plus the Elders investigator came with his 8 day old baby! He was tiny, adorable, and frightening at the same time. Both Sis Rod and I agree that newborns are cute from a distance haha. We're just grateful that we are missionaries and that that is far far FAR in our futures. Sadly for dinner after church, we had a meal that made us both feel pretty sick but we powered through it. At 7 we taught Brandi a less-active. For the first time I felt like we really taught her and not just a lesson. She opened up and shared her real concerns. We also taught the Collins. We had a great lesson with them too. My favorite thing was seeing the change in Sister Collins. When we got there she was a little unhappy but when we left she was cheerful and excited! The gospel changes people. I am so thankful for all that I have been given and for the great week I have had. I am so blessed to be a missionary right now because these experiences are changing me. I know my Saviour better now than I ever have before and the best part is that I still have a lot to learn!
I hope you all have the best week ever!
Love,
Sista T
birthday trampoline jumping!
Patty in her cowgirl get up. I am a giant.
birthday trampoline jumping!
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