And, you guessed it... The library was, once again, closed. It closes for literally any and every kind of holiday here. But thats okay!
Tuesday: Well, we went and saw a lady named Rosa today. She's Jenn and Grace's neighbor. Her husband passed away several years ago, and she lives by herself. She does have family living next door to her, but she just needs friends. So we had a nice, loooooong visit with her. She's so adorable and sweet. She told us to come by any time.
After that, we went over to Grace's for a little while. We had a nice talk with her, and she talked about how her dad is coming to town soon. He's helping them finish up some things around their house, so she's super pumped about that.
After, we were supposed to have dinner with Jan but she couldn't do it this week :( She's planning on going out of town for three whole months soon, so things have been kind of crazy around her house. We tried to talk to some other people but nothing really worked out.
Wednesday: So, we had Specialized Training! It was fantastic. President Pingree is such an amazing Mission President, and truly does receive revelation from God for the Texas Houston Mission. It was a lot about retention, and how we can make sure that those who are baptized will stay close to the covenants they've made. Before the Specialized Training, we also practiced for Stake Conference this weekend. All the missionaries are singing in the stake! We are singing our Texas Houston Mission song, the EFY Medley, Hark All Ye Nations and Called To Serve. Sister Jones is playing piano. What a good way to finish off her mission!
That's right, folks. This is Sister Jones' last full week in the field. And her last Sunday will be stake conference. She really does not want to leave her mission. She's actually kind of freaking out about going home. I'm really going to miss her.
After Specialized Training, we went on exchanges again. Our Sister Training Leader, Sister Jacobsen, is going home a transfer after Sister Jones and wanted to talk with her about how she's feeling, and get some advice for her own last transfer. We sure put her to work! We went straight to do some service that we promised to Mary- cleaning out the gutters. They didn't make me climb up the ladder, since I'm afraid of heights, but I did have to hold the ladder. I got very decorated by all the mud in there. Mary had to make us wash our faces before dinner! Haha, oh! When we went to go put the ladder away, we saw the chickens and oh goodness. I saw the fluffiest, sassiest looking rooster I have ever seen in my whole life. It took us 20 minutes to get a picture of him! I don't have a good one, but Sister Jones does. I'll have to ask her for it. Then, we turned around and all the cows were waiting by the gate because they thought we had food. We had to walk through them to get back to Mary's house. Boy were those cows TERRIFIED of us!
After dinner at Mary's, we went over to Dan and Margaret's to eat dinner! (Yes, you read that right, we had 2 dinners in one night). They really wanted to have Sister Jones over for dinner before she left, and that was the only night they could really do it. Dinner with them was so hilarious! We had each other cracking up a lot. After, we were leaving, and Margaret looked at me because I hadn't given her a hug yet and just yelled "SHELL!" And threw open her arms. Naturally, I obeyed my elders and gave her a hug.
Oh my goodness! I almost forgot!! When we left Mary's, we were driving on some old county road, and saw a huge creature on the side of the road! I knew it was a hog, but Sister Jones didn't believe me. We turned around and drove back just in time to see this massive hog scurry through a hole in the fence. Oh the excitements of small town TX!
Thursday: Weekly Planning! Sister Jacobsen went back to her area- College Station. During our Companionship Inventory, I may or may not have made Sister Jones cry because I was telling her how much I'll miss her and how much I love her.
That night, we had dinner at Jenn's as usual. Her children and I played "Doctor" and I had to bring each one of them back to life. Then it was my turn to pretend to be dead! Luckily I had Paige there, because she was able to bring me back to life. Phew! I don't know what I would have done without her!
Friday: We went over to help Jenn bake a LOT of things for "Grandpa Rex's" birthday party on Saturday. Her elbow has just really been bothering her lately, and she can't mix things for too long otherwise it really hurts her. So we made cupcakes, pudding, filling, frosting, pies. The works! Who knew I would learn so many baking skills on my mission? I'm just telling you, not I! Jenn is such a fabulous cook/baker.
After that we went over to the Arellano's for dinner and had a nice chat and spiritual thought with them. Whitney was pretty tired, and her husband got called in to work last minute. He's a Respiratory Therapist, but since he's fairly new at it, gets a lot of cruddy hours. Whitney told us that what Sister Paddock said to Bro A. last week really helped him make the decision to come to church that Sunday. I think that was really good for Sister Paddock to hear! And I'm glad that something one of us said helped him.
Saturday: We tried to visit several people but silly A&M had a game right in the middle of the day, so nobody really wanted to talk. We were going to talk to Vicky again but she had company over. We ended up deciding to go to Rex's birthday party, which was awesome. There were several nonmembers there that we had a good chat with, and we finally saw their chickens. Their cows... oh dear. Lets just say their cows were very entertaining. I'll ask Sister Paddock for our picture we got with them. Lets just say that it made Brother Crawford laugh super hard when we took the picture with them.
Towards the end of the party, Sister Paddock was NOT feeling well. So we ended up calling it a night early so she could get to bed early. She feels much better so it must have worked.
Sunday: Y'all. DAN CAME TO CHURCH IN A SUIT!!!! Its the first time ever! I mean, he always has nice slacks and a nice long sleeved white shirt and tie, but he now has an ACTUAL SUIT!! It made me super happy. Just... it was awesome. He's come a long way just in the short time I've been here and it makes me just amazingly happy.
We had another member of the high council come and speak to us, and Sister Paddock finally gave a talk here! She did such a good job. It was about how to become more Christlike, and I really loved all the things she said. I have very wise companions.
After we finished up our studies in the afternoon, we went over to the Crawford's to talk with them. They truly are amazing people. We got to know them a bit better, they got to know us a little bit and we had a really nice spiritual thought with them. Oh! By the way! Brother Crawford served his mission in Denmark- be sure to let Grandma Krogh know!
Monday: P-Day/ Veterans Day!! It was a fun day. We went into College Station, ate lunch at Denny's and went shopping. I got pictures printed out at Walmart and I got a Texas A&M shirt from a giftcard from Randy and Carrie's family- thanks y'all! Then Sister Paddock helped us find the mall. Oh man. Christmas is EVERYWHERE. Santa is already there. And he said hi to us each time we passed him. What a friendly man! Naturally, I didn't buy anything. You know how I feel about spending money. Still, it was a fun P-Day.
Last night, to change things up, we had dinner/FHE with the Branch President's family! Now, don't fall out of your seats folks! I, Sister Kirsten Shell, ate fish- white bass to be specific. It was alright. A little fishy. Meh. But still, I ate it! Please, hold your applause.
After that, we taught them a little part of the first lesson in Preach My Gospel. The Spirit was very strong, and I got to say the First Vision this time. It always makes me tear up.
After our prayer, we took a picture and then the Fosters took a picture with Sister Jones. It was a nice little farewell to her.
And now here we are today!! I hope everyone is doing super well! Eu amo voces muito! Also, I hope Grammy got my birthday card!!
love,
Sister Shell
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