Officially old!! Well, oldER....

First off, let me just say that I officially have the best family and friends EVER! Y'all rock. You made my birthday awesome. Thanks for sending the love my way, and thank you so much for the presents I was lucky enough to receive. It was awesome. Lets just say, many missionaries were jealous of the love I got, and also super impressed that I didn't open anything until it was actually my birthday.
Y'ALL ROCK!

Tuesday: Zone Conference! And let me just say, it was amazing. We talked about so many wonderful things. President Pingree focused a lot on how to find people to teach, and gave some really cool insights. He also talked to us about the importance of the doctrine of the Godhead, especially in our mission where a lot of people don't really understand that Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost are 3 separate, distinct people. It was really amazing. We also learned some ASL so that we can maybe help the ASL missionaries find some people to teach! Who knew I'd be learning so many different languages for my mission? Anyways, Sister Jones did a beautiful piano musical number. And let's just say, I was a boss page turner. If I do say so myself. Then, we had departing testimonies- also known as "dying" testimonies- which is where all the missionaries who are leaving before the next Zone Conference get up and bear their testimony, and give advice and say things they learned on their missions. Sister Jones was the first one up, and she was amazing. Its so neat to hear the more experienced missionaries share what they know. After that, we sang This is the Christ as our closing song. Sister Jones couldn't really sing along for it. I barely made it through. There's just something about a bunch of missionaries singing that song as best they can, and with such apparent love for the Savior, and especially when you're sitting next to an awesome companion that's leaving you soon... The Spirit was really strong.

Wednesday: Was fabulous! We had an awesome lesson on the Evangelho de Jesus Christo- aka, the Gospel of Jesus Christ- with Marsha! She asked some very good questions and our answers made a lot of sense to her. She still wants to be baptized, but doesn't know when we can meet with her next because of her super busy schedule. Have I mentioned that she's one crazy busy vet? Because she is. And she's amazing. I don't think I'll be here to see her get baptized, but that's okay. Its enough for me to know that we've started her on the path, to know that we've helped her grow closer to the Savior.
Oh, and Marsha has some pretty adorable dogs. She has an Australian shepherd puppy named Junior- after her dog, his dad, who she had to put down. And she also has Junior's mom. They are so adorable. As soon as I squatted down to Junior's level, he was all over me, licking my face and hands and probably thinking "I LOVE THE MISSIONARIES!" Marsha warned that Junior's mom probably wouldn't come over and let us pet her. She was a bit hesitant with me at first, but I held out one hand as I petted Junior, and when she saw Junior super friendly and loving, she sniffed my hand and licked it. Then, not that much later, she was right up next to me, letting me pet her as well. It was fun to be able to be around really loving dogs again! Shoutout to Scooter- the best dog in the whole world!
After the awesome lesson, we went and did some service at Rex and Diane's. They have a gorgeous gazebo area that needed some fixing up, so we volunteered. After all, what are missionaries for?? It was a beautiful day, amazing weather and I loved it. So fun! Then we had dinner at Mary's. She's such an amazing person. I seriously cannot believe she's only been a member for 2 years. She knows so much, is the branch Relief Society President, and works at the temple every Friday. Talk about superwoman!
Then, we went and introduced ourselves to the new family that moved into the branch- the Crawfords! Let me just tell you, I'm pretty sure they doubled the size of our ward. And at least quadrupled the size of our youth program! They were super nice, and I'm super glad to have another family here!

Thursday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SISTER AMANDA HEDRICK!!!! That's one of my BYU roommates who turned 20 the day before I did. Hope it was amazing for her!
We did weekly planning. Woot woot! Probably the most boring day of the week. I get it, I get it. Its totally necessary. But also boring. And it takes up WAYYYY too much time. Blech.
Anyways, after that, we went and saw Dan and Margaret. They are just so humble and so amazing. I love them! We talked with them a bit, and asked if there was anything they'd like to know more about since they are still relatively 'new' to the whole Mormon thing. We talked a little bit about the Word of Wisdom, and cleared up some questions. Then Dan and Margaret said that they'll both be getting their Patriarchal Blessings soon! That made me super stoked. We talked a little bit about what that would be like, and told them that next time we'd bring over a few quotes and talks about Patriarchal Blessings to make sure they understand what exactly they are. They're so amazing. Seriously. I love them!
Then, we went over to Jen's house and helped make some homemade donuts, and stuff for dinner. I told Jen a few of my favorite dishes, so she made me some yummy lasagna! She's such an amazing woman. Seriously, I look up to her a lot. Her kids made me some cute little birthday cards, and we had family prayer together. They are just such an amazing family!

Friday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!! It was a pretty good day. I started it by opening the pile of presents my awesome family and friends sent. Seriously, I don't think I'll ever be able to say thank you enough for those. Y'all are too sweet. Be looking out for thank you cards soon!
We went over to Jen's on my birthday because she was super stressed about getting some things ready for the branch chili cookoff/Halloween party. We made some sugar cookies, some caramel and got a few more things ready for her to just throw in the car and go. We also cleaned a bit. So that was fun.
We tried to contact and teach a few people, but had no such luck. That's alright, because Whitney (Sis Arellano) wanted us to come over for my birthday dinner sooner! She had a cute little birthday banner up and made me wear a plastic birthday tiara. Not that I'm complaining at all! We had some croissants with cottage cheese/cranberry sauce, ham, cheese and lettuce. It was pretty good! Then, she dished out a few pieces of homemade pumpkin pie, and put some vanilla chocolate chip ice cream on top, stuck a candle in mine and lit it on fire. Then everyone sang happy birthday, and Sister Jones and Sister Arellano both snapped some pictures. Whitney's kids thought it was pretty fun.
My birthday was simple, different, and beautiful! I loved it.  Officially 20. Craziness.
Thank you so much to everyone who made my birthday so special. You'll never know how much it meant to me!

Kirsten following the tradition and modeling her birthday presents!

Saturday: Well, made it another year! Today was... interesting. It was pretty difficult for us because it was game day for A&M. And everybody shuts down for game days. Like "DON'T TALK TO ME! THE AGGIES ARE WAY AHEAD AND ARE WINNING SO I HAVE TO WATCH EVERY SINGLE SECOND! SHHHH I THINK THEY SCORED THEIR FIVE MILLIONTH TOUCHDOWN THIS GAME! OH MY GOODNESS, WHAT IF THE OTHER TEAM SUDDENLY CATCHES UP?!" Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. But it was a bit frustrating after we tried to teach Judy who was watching the game and tried to contact some referrals whose t.v's were blasting through the windows. So we went back to our apartment and had a little heat to heart. I was frustrated because I didn't know what we needed to do, Sister Paddock was just having a bit of a rough day as a missionary, and Sister Jones felt a little anxious about going home. She doesn't want to leave at all, but people bring it up with her all the time. Annoying! Anyways. We said a prayer and decided to go to the park behind our church building to study out in the nice weather, and where people could see us. There were a few birthday parties going on, but nobody wanted to talk to us. That's okay though- we waved and talked briefly with a few people, and we definitely had copies of the Book of Mormon all over the table. I think some seeds were definitely planted. After that, we helped get ready for the Chili cookoff. We finished Jen's makeup- oh, and by the way, that woman doesn't even NEED makeup to look gorgeous- and then got a ride with her out there. We helped to carameled apples, make candy bags for the kiddos, and got to ride on the hay ride because a bunch of the kids reallllllly wanted the sister missionaries to come! It was a lot of helping so by the end it was nice to kind of crash by the bonfire for a minute before heading home. The Crawford family came, and it was a good intro to the branch for them. They are awesome, and I love them already!

Sunday: Well, I taught my first Relief Society lesson! I think it went pretty well. People contributed a lot, which definitely helped. Oh! And we had a high councilor and his wife speak to us during sacrament. They are so funny, and very spiritual.
I was also super tired because there was a MASSIVE thunderstorm the night before that kept me awake because of all the flashes of lightning and pounding of huge rain drops that I thought were hail on our window. Because I'm right by the window. Silly weather! Nevertheless, Sunday was a pretty good day! We again ate dinner with Whitney, who invited us over last minute, and shared a thought with them. They we went over to the Crawford house to see what they thought of church, and if they needed any help. Let me just say, Brother Crawford is pretty hilarious. I think that they're an awesome addition to the branch.
Sunday night, last night, I couldn't sleep because I felt pretty sick again. I think I got maybe two hours of sleep? Anyways, I already took a nap today so I feel better. Dumb Satan, attacking missionaries in any way he can! I don't like him at all. Grr..

Anyways, that was basically our week. I love y'all tons, and I love being a missionary! There's honestly no better way I could have spent my 20th birthday. The church is true, and I love the gospel!!

love,
Sister Shell