Tuesday: We had exchanges!! I went to Brenham with the lovely Sister Kyles, and her visa waiter companion, Sister Hansen! Their other companion, Sister Davis, came to Caldwell. We met up and it was just Sister Hansen and I for a while. Sister Kyles was at a mission Leadership Conference, or something like that, down in Houston. We had a bit of a hit and miss day, and had fun spouting off Portuguese words to each other, until we picked up Sister Kyles in Navasota, where our Zone Leaders dropped her off. It was fun! We visited some members and found Brenham a potential investigator, and then we were supposed to teach a lesson in Portuguese/Spanish. They have an investigator that only speaks Spanish, but can understand Portuguese well. I was super stoked, because then I would have finally had my first lesson in Portuguese in the field. Alas, it was not meant to be. We knocked on the door three times, knew they were home, and they shut off the lights. Meh. Whatever! Then, we went and taught the Plan of Salvation to Raymond, one of their investigators. He really liked that, and I think I was able to help him understand a lot. So that was fun. Before we headed back to their apartment, we stopped by and got some ice cream and a few things for Sister Hansen's birthday the next day. We had a little celebration before bed, which included talking and eating ice cream and brownies while sitting on top of the counters. Fun stuff :)
Wednesday: I reunited with my companions, and found out that they tracted into a potential investigator while I was gone! Love those two. Then, we went to Marsha's. For some reason, Rex (the member that usually comes with us) was unable to be there. But, I think it was supposed to be that way. Because she really opened up to us, and asked us a lot of questions. She asked some questions that the Spirit helped us answer, and we were able to really help her out. Especially Sister Rainsdon, who shared an experience about her grandpa's conversion. I felt prompted to tell her to test God, and to see what he did. Sort of like taking a leap of faith. She really liked the idea that we could, as I already put it, "test God" and prove His promises. We also went over the baptismal interview questions with her, and she realized that she's a lot closer to baptism than she thought. So, we'll see where she is next week! Well, I guess they will... I will be somewhere else!
After that, we stopped by Beaver Creek. We found a potential investigators house, but couldn't knock because there were a ton of no trespassing signs. So, we went and visited with Rosa. She really appreciated that, and told us to stop by more often. We read a few verses with her, that she really liked, and had a nice prayer.
We stopped by Becky's, to see if she had time for a visit, but she was only able to talk for a few minutes before she had to take her two boys places.
After that, it was off to Mary's! We had a SUPER yummy meal, and I definitely got the recipe for it because it was just that good. Who knew I'd ever want to cook a vegetarian meal?
Funny quotes of the day;
"He came out of nowhere! Like a BEAR!"
"I feel inv.... ahh! INVIGORATED!"
"That's a terrible song to listen to while killing a rabbit..." (the song was called Peace from some EFY cd...)
all from Sister Rainsdon
Thursday: We weekly planned like nobody's business! All I've got to say is Sister Rainsdon and Sister Paddock have an awesome week planned out! And, there was a bit of snow and ice on the ground. What's up with Texas? Who knows! And, here's how our companionship inventory (where we express feelings about each other, and get anything cleared up) went:
AYE-YAH! Pow! *cough* Kerplunk! "I'm nervous!" *heavy breathing* "Bed hopping allowed!" "Okay!!" Pop! "You hit my family!" *face dive* "Let go so I can hit you!" "No ganging up!" *truce*
What happened you may ask? Well, as mature girls in their 20's, we decided to have a pillow fight to start it all off. It was quite hilarious :) We all pushed our beds close together and just went at it for a few minutes, laughing our heads off the whole time. Then, we had a real companionship inventory.
After that, we left and dropped some stuff off at the Post Office. Then, we tried to go visit a new family in the branch. We knocked and there was no answer. As we were walking back to the car, I heard a kid yell, "Nobody's home!" So there you have it, nobody was there after all.
Then we tried to visit Conny. No luck. We got brave, built up our courage, and tried to visit Vicki. No luck. Then, we stopped by a cute boutique called the Amherst House and talked with the cashier, and gave her a Mormon.org card. Success!
And I got THREE WHOLE LETTERS!!! It made me pretty stoked. From my mom, Loo, and T-man. Needless to say, I was pretty excited.
Friday: Well, my journal entry started with huge letters which said; "SEAN IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON FEBRUARY 22!!!!!"
That's right, folks!! Alright, now that I've let that cat out of the bag, I'll back up.
We had Zone Meeting, which was fun. It was all about light and dark, and how light can drive away all darkness. It was pretty awesome. We practice taught part of the Gospel of Christ, since that's what we were about to go teach Sean, and then headed on our way.
Sean told us he loved church, and that he's excited about everything. When we were discussing repentance, he told us that he already feels that happening. That he doesn't have any desire to do some of the things he used to do, and that people are already telling him that he's different and asking him questions. He got a little emotional about it, because he could really feel the Spirit. Then, Sister Paddock talked about baptism and Sister Rainsdon talked about the Holy Ghost, just like we'd planned out. I was supposed to talk about the sacrament, but my heart was pounding, and I kept thinking "Invite him to be baptized on the 22." But I sat there, and thought "Well, I know we discussed that in our companionship, but I don't wanna steal anybody's thunder, I don't want the lesson to flow weird, what if it freaks him out? Etc." I looked up, and Sean was looking at me expectantly. I looked back down at the little pamphlet I had in my hands at the words "The Sacrament." Then I thought, "... Why the heck am I questioning a prompting from the Spirit??" So I went for it. I told him that my companions and I had talked it over, and that we felt that he would be ready for baptism on February 22. His face turned super red and he looked a little shocked, so I was thinking "SHOOT! What did I do?!"
Sean said, "Wow, a DATE... I mean, I'm honored but... do you really think I'm ready?" We talked with him a few minutes, talked about how we knew he was ready, pointed out a few things, and he started smiling and he nodded his head. So, I asked him again, and he nodded and said, "Sure. Yeah!"
So there you have it folks! I was so super happy. I was close to tears, I'm not going to lie. Because I was just so happy for him, and because I know how much joy and direction and peace this decision is going to bring him. I know what he's going to have. Put aside the fact that I've worked hard for months without a result. Put aside the fact that I want to see a baptism in Caldwell. Put aside any selfish reason that I may have wanted him to get baptized for. At that moment, I was just completely happy because I knew what this was going to bring him. Because I knew what it would mean for him.
It was amazing. I'm just so glad I followed the Spirit, and listened to that prompting I got, instead of following the lesson plan. That is what makes missionary work all worth it.
After we finished up the lesson (after I'd told him several times how happy I was for him, and how excited I was, and forcing tears down) his roommate and son came home. His roommate, David, talked a little more with us and seemed to be a bit interested. He sang some songs that he made up- Christian songs- that were beautiful. I have a feeling that he may be taking lessons soon as well. And Sean 2 (Sean's son) will probably be heading to church sometime soon, when he's not working. It was just awesome.
Saturday: Nothing really worked out. I mean, after such an amazing day, Satan had to be all dumb and make things no bueno for us. It was fine though. Because Sister Rainsdon felt pretty sick, and needed a nap. So it all worked out anyway. And, we had dinner with the Crawfords! That was fun. He was pretty excited to hear that Sean is going to be baptized, and told us that he'd work out the details about a font (because its WAY too cold for the pond) with President Foster. We have some really great members and leaders in our ward.
Sunday: Happy birthday to Jenn! Happy birthday to Jenn! Happy birthday dear JENNNNNNNN!!! Happy birthday to Jenn!
As you may have guessed, Jenn's birthday was on Sunday! We had Branch Council, and then Branch Conference. That was pretty awesome. The Stake President met Sean, talked with him, and decided to come to Sean's baptism! So that was pretty neat!
Church was later (because of Branch Conference) so we went home and ate lunch, and studied. Poor Sister Rainsdon felt even worse, and had to take a nap again. Then Grace picked us up for dinner (since we didn't have miles- have I mentioned how much I love all the members here?? Because I love them!) and we had yummy enchiladas. We stopped by Jenn's house to wish her happy birthday again, and then stopped by Dan and Margaret's. Margaret just got home from the hospital yesterday. Hopefully she's okay now. She sounds a lot better than she did. We had a nice visit with them, and then Grace took us home.
We were pretty antsy. We wanted transfer calls! But, I already knew in my heart what was going to happen. I can't tell you why, but I just knew. So when we got the text from our Zone Leaders, and I saw that I was one of the missionaries getting transferred, I was totally and completely okay with it and expecting it.
This'll be good. It needed to happen. I mean, I love Caldwell with all of my heart, but it was time for a change. And I'm sure President Pingree will let me come up here for Sean's baptism, so I'll see everybody again soon.
I'm excited! Missions are the best.
Alma 36:24-25, especially 25.
Sean is getting baptized!!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day! Also, happy birthday to Grandpa Jack and Uncle Randy!! Love y'all!!
com amor,
Sister Shell
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