3-17-13

It's been crazy since I got here Tuesday. The plane ride was a lot of fun. I've really made friends with some of the missionaries from the MTC and I miss them a lot. We spent Tuesday night in the mission home. They fed us and we had a testimony meeting. I love President and Sister Collins. They are both so nice and welcoming. President Collins is serious about obedience, but also very warm. I was suprised at how casual my first interview was with him. Wednesday morning we had training and then we went to our transfer meeting. I have two companions, Sister Donaldson has been out a year and is from Provo. Sister Clark has been here only one more transfer (so Januray) and is from Orem. Both are incredibly nice. Sister Clark is a pro at being a missionary. She will talk to ANYONE and is so good at introducing the gospel to them. She is so excited for when we will actually be able to do some personal contacting. We are over the YSA branch. It covers three stakes (huge area) and all of Indianapolis. We live right by the Speedway. Indianapolis has a lot of people, but it covers a huge area so it's not concentrated like Seattle. There is barely a downtown area.

Wednesday night we went to Insitute, I have no idea who that lady was :). I've met way to many people that it's difficult for me to remember names if I have just met them once. I don't know if you figured this out over facebook, but our ward mission leader is Todd Boucher, he was in Brendon's MTC district. I introduced myself in institute and said I was from B'ham WA, he turned around and asked if I knew Brendon. He was so excited!

I was exhausted the first couple days, always falling asleep during study in the morning. I think I've caught up pretty well now. I'm definitely not a natural missionary. My companions are able to stick up a conversation with just about anyone. It's difficult. I get frustrated with myself because I want to be the best missionary I can be, but it's just not coming. Sister Donaldson and I talked about it on Saturday and she said I'm not the only one. For some people it's hard to share the gospel even when they have a testimony. So I'm struggling in that regard. Teaching lessons is alright. I taught my first real investigator lesson yesterday. The rest of them have been recent converts or less actives. It's hard working in a trio, because I'm the newest companion and talk the least amount. I need to learn how to just slow down and realize when they are understanding what we are teaching. I still don't feel like a missionary at all, like it hasn't hit me yet that I'm actually doing this.

I didn't introduce myself to the ward, it was branch conference. But everyone introduced themselves to me! Seriously the people in the branch are super friendly.

I'm impressed at how much the recent converts know, but Sister Donaldson said they know more than the other converts she has had. The investigator we taught last night, Natalia, is a little person. She is so cute and I loved teaching her. We have another appointment with a young man tonight. The elders have taught him two lessons already, but since he is YSA age they referred him to us. We had three investigators come to church yesterday and I think we have four with a baptisimal date.

 

I am having a lot of fun though. District meeting last week was a lot of fun with the elders, and I think we're doing something with them at the church today. I don't know I guess serving a mission is different than I expected. I mean I knew it was going to be hard, but maybe I'm just beating myself over it. I just hate going out in public because I feel like I have to talk to everyone I see. That's the part I don't really like. I'm fine with talking to people that I've already met though. And I've gotten over my fear of making phone calls for the most part. I've never had to text more in my life! I also don't really like that part. I feel like we're texting all the time, and sometimes that's kind of frustrating for me. I also thought we would be running from place to place, but we're not. I actually hate being late to other things that were supposed to be at. We drive everywhere because our area is so huge. My piano skills are certainly coming it to play, don't worry. I'm not hiding it at all.

 

 Oh and they are actually splitting the mission. Two of the stakes will be going into the Cincinnati Ohio mission in July. So maybe I'll serve in two missions!!!!!!!!!! The chances are pretty unlikely though. I'll be in this area for at least 3 months, then if I get transfered in June to one of those two stakes then I will be in the new mission, I think.