It is the last week of July. wow!
How is everyone? I sadly do not hear from nearly enough of you. But to those that write and e-mail. Thank you! I love you dearly, forever and eternally.
Although I had many struggles this week, internally, externally, I learned a lot.
Monday: We had supper at the Senior Couples with Sarah, a recent convert. Oh and we went shopping and I got a really cool sketchbook which I have started making into a scrapbook! It's very simple and I don't take a lot of time on each page, but I figure that my journal is mostly an overview of the things I do with an emphasis on the spiritual things. So If I can put a picture and a funny story in the sketchbook every once and while it will be really fun to have when I'm finished with my mission! So far I love it, I was going to take pictures this week but I forgot. So I'll attach those next week.
Tuesday: We had a district meeting in Moncton, so we took the 45 minute drive and had a great time learning about faith. When we got back we had a lesson with two of our investigators and they are doing well although it is hard to help people see the importance of what we are saying sometimes. But they are always really kind to us and we love them. Then we had supper at a member's house. She is the sweetest lady and she loves us. We went straight from there to young womans for a goodbye party for Tasia, the Rance girl as their family was moving that week!
Wednesday: We had a great lesson with our investigator! Sarah came with us and helped us to teach. It was great experience for her as she is preparing to serve a mission. we also visited a lot of people and had supper at the Rances, we helped them clean a little bit and pack.
Thursday: We went early in the morning to help them pack, their moving boxes things came and so we loaded up the containers! It was really hard work, but so worth it. Who needs Elders in this area anyways? Us Sisters can do anything ;). Then we drove to Sackville to have a lesson and over to Springhill to help a couple from the Branch with Family History before having supper with them.
Friday: Our final goodbyes to the Rance family! We certainly are going to miss them, they became great friends to us. Change is the only constant in life though, so it was a good thing for them. We then began our weekly planning session! That is always fun. We had lessons fall through and it was a day of craziness. Trying to knock and street contact and such.
Saturday: Well! Because our week hadn't been very productive, we did a lot but just not the sorts of things we wanted to. I had gotten pretty fed up and on Friday I just decided that enough was enough and I was really here to work! So we went out on Saturday determined to help some people draw closer to Jesus Christ! We talked to a lot of people and had a great time. We even had some random drunk guy calling to us from his balcony asking about our missions.(apparently he had met missionaries before) he offered us a drink... of apple juice, but we declined. Then we had an okay lesson with our investigating couple again, and we finished out the day by knocking.
Sunday: I just love going to Church! It is always interesting when you pick up the bulletin and see your name in the "Speakers" section! Turns out I completely forgot I had a talk. Well, not completely. I had a suspicion that I might be giving a talk so I brought some resources and books with me to the Church. Luckily the talk went off really smoothly. I only had 30 minutes before Church to write any sort of something, but I had a talk to base it off of "Choose you this day" by Thomas S. Monson, so I made a vague outline, (insert this story here. Talk about choice... that kind of thing) And I know that the Lord helped me because it went great!
I'd say I'm just naturally a genius, but that would be a sin! haha, I know that any talent I may have comes from Heavenly Father. and I know if I wasn't a missionary right now, he wouldn't have helped me at all and I would have suffered through that talk! But he cares more for the needs of his Branch members and allowed me to give a good talk with his help so that those listening could be uplifted and inspired. I just love the work, and I love being a part of it!
I'm sorry I don't have too many personal experiences included in this weeks letter, I usually look through my planner and journal to include important events and feelings in these, but I forgot my journal today. So please forgive me of the boringness! Just know that everyday I probably do something ridiculous. I'm trying so hard to be my best, I'm getting tan, and I always try to have a smile on my face. You just have to be happy in life!
Love you all, (but more so I love you who write to me)
Sister Smith