Week one of a new transfer completed! I am settling into a new ward, new companionship, and new turf. In my last email I mentioned that I was going to be in a trio, after getting to West Salem I was informed that Sister Voorhies was actually going home because of medical problems so our trio was short lived, and she went home Wednesday morning. So now Sister Johnson and I are back together and better than ever.
I'm curious as to why I keep getting placed back with my MTC companions, maybe it's a do over? I definitely learned a lot and grew from my experience back with Sister Unferdorfer, and I can't wait to learn from and grow with Sister Johnson!
Sister Johnson Interview:
Favorite Color - Pink
Favorite Food - Italian
Favorite Book - Harry Potter
She is the oldest of four sisters (each from a different Harry Potter house, which I thought was really cool)
Oh and her 17 turning 18 year old sister’s name is Chloe!!
She really loves Star Wars.
She plays the violin.
She is from Arizona and desperately misses the heat!
It's strange being back in a city. We live in an apartment complex which is backed up right against the main road so we are never without the sound of cars passing. Thank goodness Sister Johnson is the designated driver because I am not ready to drive where there are real two lane roads and stoplights!
It's also strange being back around another set of sisters. Sister Dayton and Sister Schmoekel are the STLs (Sister Training Leaders) and they are also in a car share with us.
Our area in West Salem is partly poor, but mostly mansions! Our Ward is Chapman Hill Ward and it is full of doctors and dentists! Some of whom know the dentist / branch member from Vernonia so that was cool! It is a very kind and giving ward. We have being given great help already.
We are doing a lot of walking and finding right now. We are teaching a couple people but there are always more to find!!
There is a lady named Beatrice. She is a member who hasn't been to church in 20+ years! She recently got hit by a car, and broke her knee! She somehow got in contact with the sisters and mentioned that she wanted us to come over and help her.
We went to see her and help her walk her dogs and make her a healthy smoothie. At first she was kind of reserved and only talked about life and weather and stuff, but after we made her a smoothie she completely opened up to us. She started to cry and told us that she feels Heavenly Father pulling her back to the gospel! It was a very spirit filled experience and it was so cool to see all the ways that God has been preparing her to come back to Him!
One blessing of coming to a new area is you get to see how much you have grown. Not to sound dramatic but having everything you knew stripped away from you (ok that sounds really dramatic) really helps you realize who you are at your core.
I am so grateful for this change because It has allowed me to see my growth, and realize I am doing a lot better than I thought I was. And not because of my strength but because of the way God has helped me to recognize my weakness and work with him to stretch and overcome.
One very noticeable way I have changed is I am not afraid to talk to people! I can waltz up to anyone and start talking about the gospel! One of my first days in the mission field, with my Trainer Sister Quinton, I remember her going up and talking to this girl and she directed the conversation so naturally towards the gospel. I wrote in my journal, "I want to be able to do that one day!" And now I can! That doesn't mean it's easy or natural but I am no longer afraid to try, and that is the important part.
There is a quote from Thomas S. Monson in our apartment that says (something to the effect of...); "True courage is saying, I will try again tomorrow..."
This is going to be a good transfer. I can't wait to see how these 6 weeks will change this area, and how it will change me.
I love you all and hope you all have an amazing week!
Pictures:
-Our one day trio
-The beautiful spring blossoms
-Me and Sister Johnson
-gotta have at least one selfie...
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