November 25th- Such a fun week!!!

So many stories to tell!!!!

Saying goodbye in Franklin was really hard. We first went and saw Heidi. We read with her from the Book of Mormon for a little bit and then I told her I was leaving. Now, Heidi doesn't show ANY emotion. I never thought I would see her cry. After saying a closing prayer with her I went to give her a hug. Then I began to see her eyes water. So I started crying! Then she really started crying. It was a tender moment to see tears rolling down her cheeks. Lizzie (her daughter) told me that I had done the impossible. That it really needed to be sisters to baptize her. It was really hard to leave. So then we went to the Gast's. As soon as she opened the door, Leah Ann said "I heard you're leaving". News that I was getting transferred had made it around facebook. It was SO HARD to say goodbye to them. Don asked who they needed to call so I could stay.

Tuesday night we went to YW's for a bit. Saying goodbye there was also really hard. Bishop West was pretty sad I was leaving. I also promised Bro De Caprio (a member of of the ward) that I would make sure to include the Franklin ward in my homecoming talk haha. I wish I could have stayed in that ward for the holidays, BUT! that's ok.

Ok Wedesday. So this was the biggest transfer meeting ever. 180 of the 240 missionaries in the mission were there. The mission now has 12 zones. I'm serving in Plymouth, way up north, just in time for winter. A year ago only 30 people were attending the branch. Then they called in a branch president from another ward. Lately the attendance has been in the 100, but it's starting to decline again. My companion's name is Sister McDowell. She's been out for 7 1/2 (no more training!). We are both PUMPED to be in the area. There's a lot of work to do here. I had a feeling I would probably be going north. President started talking about the Plymouth branch and I just wanted to go there. He said it was going to take two special sisters to serve there. Then he announced my name! Sisters got put in their 6 weeks ago, but then had to be emergency transferred out three weeks ago due to medical issues. Three double transfer in a row. I'm beginning to think I'm only going to get double transferred my entire mission.

So after the crazy transfer meeting, we found out our car was in Mishawaka, also in the South Bend stake and we were in Fishers. So no car or way to get there. Sister Cleveland took us out to lunch so we wouldn't starve. When we got back to the church the assistants were busy training so we couldn't talk to them. So then we had to wait until they got done at 3. We had to get like 9 missionaries up here to South Bend and we only had one mini van that the zone leaders drive. So finally we rolled out of Fishers around 6 pm. The assistants drove the huge van with the trailer with all the elders stuff. We stopped for dinner in Kokomo. We got to see all the damage! We spent like three hours in the car with the assistants. Probably one of the funnest drives I've ever made. Mostly because A. we aren't supposed to ride with elders. B. we ate food in the car even though we aren't supposed to. BUT we had permission to do both. Elder Sorenson told us all about the area and how awesome President Kelly (the branch president) is. We didn't get to Plymouth until after 9:30 that night and we were both exhausted! 

Friday.....Dad I'm not a twerp! We didn't find out about the BYU devotional fireside until Thursday night. We actually drove up to South Bend for our district meeting that morning. South Bend is almost an hour away and we didn't think we would be able to go. For some reason the elders in the ward really wanted us to go so they were able to find us a ride. So yes we did get to go to the BYU football devotional. The QB (I have no idea what his name is haha) and coach Mendenhall spoke. Too bad they lost the game. It was pretty good though. 

Saturday consisted of trying a ton of potentials that the elders left us. The only problem? I was running a fever, it was snowing, and about 20 degrees outside. It was a pretty miserable day. Luckily we've been able to meet with some less actives and recent converts that past couple of days. President Cleveland called us Saturday night and asked us how we like the weather and if we were freezing haha. We kindly thanked him for sending us north for the winter. He freaked out a bit when we told him there weren't any blankets in the apartment. He said "what are you going to do? sleep in all your clothes" we told him yes. I wore a ton of clothes that night and even slept with my coat across me. Already I'm tired of hearing the words "lake effect" haha. My companion is from Arizona....good thing she likes seeing all the snow. 

We spent like 9 hours at the church yesterday in meetings. The branch is pretty small. The building is tiny! It doesn't even have a chapel! Just one big room that has a bunch of dividers to make smaller rooms. I took a picture, maybe I'll attach it. I felt pretty crummy all day yesterday too. Just really achy and my throat hurt REALLY bad, to the point where I didn't want to talk because it hurt so bad. As we were wrapping up everything I asked the elders to give me a blessing. I feel a lot better today! Which is good; our preparation day today ends at 1 so we are trying more potentials and it's still pretty cold outside. 

We have the sweetest apartment! I take some pictures to send to you next week. Sister McDowell and I love it. Plymouth itself is pretty small, but there are a ton of little towns everywhere and our area is huge. The people here are very humble, low income families. Oh! We were just at the grocery store. When we were riding with the assistants they told us there are a lot of Amish people up here. When they told me that I was like "I want to see one". Well when we came out of the store there was a horse and buggy tied up to the lamp post. We both took a picture.....

Hopefully this week we can actually meet investigators and potentials and get the work moving. We are also going to focus on meeting people in the branch, because that is where the real growth will happen. I'm really very excited to be here! Leaving Franklin was hard because the ward is so incredible. However, I feel like in this area we'll be able to focus on missionary work, which is good obviously. 

Thanksgiving will be....interesting. We are going to a less active's house for dinner. I think we'll spend most of the day cleaning our apartment and playing yatzhee! 

Picture one: the only dog I will EVER love. Her name is Annie. Her owner (also in the picture) is the lady we did service with in Franklin. 

Picture two: yesterday before church

Picture three: waiting in the van for the elders, first picture as companions! 

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November 18th-YES I'M ALIVE!!!

haha yesterday was a tad crazy with the tornadoes. Franklin was fine;   we did get a special call from the assistants saying that Franklin was under special watch or something. We were at the church for a baptism and just decided to stay instead of going tracting. We helped the YW's president set up for YW in Excellence instead. Some towns certainly got some damage though. I'll attach a picture of the clouds last night, they were sweet!

So Friday we had a missionary movie night! Unfortunately not as many members showed up with friends as we were hoping. We watched Ephraim's Rescue! It was pretty good and I'd definitely recommend it. We went over to the Gast's on Tuesday to invite them. I mentioned something about being really excited to watch it. Don said "you're just excited because you haven't seen a movie in eight months" haha right he was! The movie is about the Martin and Willie handcart company. It made me put my life back into perspective and certainly made me count my blessings.

We were out tracting earlier on Friday. For the first time ever someone called the church a cult. I almost started laughing....but instead just bore testimony that Christ is our Savior. I figured that was a better way to handle it.

We went to see a less active family with a member on Thursday night. This has nothing to do with missionary work, I just thought it was funny. The member uses the term "domestic goddess" to describe a stay at home mom....I just wanted to record it for future reference.

I wouldn't recommend speaking in stake conference on one of your five worst days of the mission....not a good experience to say the least. But I managed! I didn't really feel prepared for the talk at all. Mostly because I knew I only had eight minutes, but I only had an outline. Sorry I forgot my notes at home, so you don't get to know what I spoke about haha. Luckily a lot of people said I did well. It wasn't too nerve wracking, mostly because I actually knew people because I've served in two wards in this stake. In fact I got a phone call from a member this morning that almost brought me to tears. She said said she was very impressed with my talk and that I seemed like an experienced adult speaker. Little does she know that only eight months ago I was terrified to give my farewell talk. Oh! In my talk I mentioned how I was scared of missionaries before I came out and how I avoided talking to the elders....they all thought that was funny.

During the Sunday morning session I got to see even more people from Seymour. Benjamin came! He's the Hispanic that I taught in Seymour. He got baptized the same day as Heidi so I couldn't go to his service. When I went and shook his hand he was like "what the heck you just left all the sudden". I told him that's how we work haha. Both sessions certainly had a focus on missionary work. President Cleveland went into coach mode as we call it. He's awesome.

After conference we went and taught a lady my the name of Kim. K hopefully what I'm about to explain makes sense. So Don and Leah Ann's son-in-law is Jeremy who is a member. Kim is Jeremy's mom. Missionaries have been sent over a million times probably but she has never let them in. Well! She let Sister Tibbitts and I in! We taught her about the Restoration while she was busy making pumpkin rolls. She had a lot of WEIRD ideas about who Joseph Smith was....we certainly clarified some things for her. So then after that is when all the tornado stuff happened...we still have some pretty strong winds.

I'm getting transferred out of Franklin. I'm really sad. Last night when the assistants called, he said "Sister Mayberry, I have some really sad news, you're leaving Franklin. Don't worry, when I got transferred out I was really sad too". Although it's hard, I know that it is necessary. So on to new adventures! I'm VERY grateful for the time that I have been able to spend here. Teaching the Gast's and Heidi have been the privilege of a lifetime. Also I realized something yesterday at conference. People do remember the missionaries that serve in their wards. I saw the only lady who we helped paint her fence back in Seymour. She gave me a big hug and said every time she looks at that fence she thinks of me. Yesterday made me realize that I am making a difference somehow. Honestly, I feel like a complete instrument. That it truly isn't me. I know that whoever spoke in stake conference wasn't really me. Because Kyla is scared of talking people and doesn't enjoy shaking people's hand and socializing. But! That's changing a little bit everyday.

It's crazy to think that I'm at my half way point right now. Friday marked a year since opening my call. I was a bit sentimental that day. I've still got so much to learn in the next nine months. I can't wait! Hope everyone had a great week!

oh and it snowed this week, but barely

"Tough as toenails..."-November 11th

That's what a member told us during lunch yesterday...quote of the week!

Well similar to last week, Saturday and Sunday were great days!

But to back up, on Wednesday we had specialized training for new missionaries and their trainers up in Fishers. Unfortunately Sister Tibbitts wasn't feeling well, but I had a great time! I realized I should have brought my study journal so I could record some of my thoughts. Trainings are always good because they help me focus more on the work.

Anyways, so Friday night we went and taught Don and Leah Ann the last time as investigators, it was kind of bitter sweet! When we were leaving I told them that tomorrow they become Mormons! Leah Ann responded by telling us she already feels like she's a Mormon. Then I explained to them what a dry Mormon was, they both thought that was pretty funny. Right after they were baptized Don told me "I'm now a wet Mormon" haha, he's got the funniest sense of humor. Oh yeah! When we went over there on Tuesday night they had two copies of the general conference Ensign sitting on their table. I told them it was pretty sad that they got their copies before the missionaries did! They finished reading D&C, maybe I told you that last week.

So Saturday morning one of my missionary dreams came true!! We were out tracting and we spotted two older people dressed in church clothes....Jehovah Witnesses! So we approached them I ended up talking to them for about 20 minutes. They were a really nice couple, they tried to Bible bash in a polite way haha. They agreed to a Restoration pamphlet, but I doubt they will ever read it. Anyways, I was pretty excited about that little experience. The afternoon we went down to Trafalgar to contact a referral received by a member, he wasn't interested. So instead we started tracting. On the third door we met Melanie, and she let us in! It still surmises me when people actually let us in. Taught her the Restoration, left her with a Book of Mormon and her phone number. We'll be calling her in a couple of weeks. We went and stopped by Heidi's afterwards. She's changed so much! The entire atmosphere in their house has changed, obviously it's the Spirit.

Tthe baptism Saturday night was incredible. Leah Ann was so nervous! Jonathon, their four year old grandson (the one I always talk about), said after Don got baptized "grandpa is so clean his head is shiny!" We all just laughed at that. Don't worry, I attached pictures at the end.

Sunday was also awesome. Their confirmations went really well. Then last night it was off the Why I Believe! It felt pretty surreal going back to White River; a lot of memories as I walked into that church building. Leah Ann was even more nervous to speak. The chapel was pretty full; I told Leah Ann to just remember most of the people were just 18 year old boys haha. She started off by thanking all of us missionaries for what we are doing. That missionaries had knocked on her door before and she thought she was so full of religion that she turned them away. She said to always remember that you don't know what is going to happen down the road. She said how they had just gotten baptized yesterday and now "I'm a full fledged Mormon!". Everyone just laughed. It was absolutely wonderful to hear her speak. She has such an incredible testimony and she's changed so much. She's still so hungry for truth! At the baptism the Relief Society president gave her the "Daughters of my Kingdom" Book, I think she's already finished it.

It was also great to see some of my missionary friends. It's crazy how we build bonds even though we don't know each other for that long. On the way home I asked them (we rode in the car with Don and Leah Ann) how they felt while they were getting confirmed. They both said the same thing; the felt the Spirit the strongest when the other was getting confirmed. They have such an incredible bond between the two of them. I can't wait until they can get sealed in a year! Yes I plan on being there :).

Now we have like no teaching pool....except one. So the finding will continue like it always does! I'm so grateful that I have been able to be here in Franklin for the last 11 weeks. It's crazy how each transfer is unique and the lessons you learn each time. I really do feel very lucky to be in this area. I just hope we can continue to see more miracles each and every day!

Finally a picture of them!!!!

November 4th

Wednesday we got to help a member with her tile! Yay for service opportunities. I was so pumped when she asked if we could help her. So we had a nice time chatting with her while we helped her clean her tile to get ready to grout (sp?) it.

Who cancels Halloween????? Apparently people in Indiana. Actually, it was a good thing. The tornado sirens went off that night!!!! I was so excited...Sister Tibbitts was worried we were going to die. Don't worry, we only heard them for about 10 minutes tops.

But more importantly we had interviews with President on Thursday. I love him! I'm so glad I've been able to get on the good side of my mission president. haha while we were talking he talked about "bringing out the coach hat", that's not something you want at all. But don't worry! He wasn't talking about me. So last week I talking about making the conscious decision to just be happy; that has continued this week. I can't let little things bother me. Missionary work is simple. Something else I studied one morning this week. Called to serve. Everyone (well at least me) loves serving people. I read over the copy of my call letter that I brought with me.

 What does it say? It says that I am called to serve in the Indiana Indianapolis mission. I've tried to have the mindset every moment that I'm serving other people. It makes the day a lot more enjoyable. Luckily, President is all about serving the members.

We had zone meeting on Friday. Benjamin got baptized Saturday! He was the Hispanic I taught in Seymour, I wish I could have gone. Ok Friday afternoon I was way stressed out. It seemed like we were running into problem after problem with Heidi's baptism the next day. I think I spent a total of an hour on the phone just trying to get things finalized. At one point I really didn't think the baptism was going to happen. That night we went and saw Don and Leah Ann and finished the baptismal interview questions with them. Leah Ann is already being a missionary! She's been posting youtube videos on facebook of President Uchtdorf. She says she figures her family is going to find out sooner or later anyways.

Ok SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WERE THE BEST 48 HOURS OF MY LIFE!!! First Don and Leah Ann passed their interview! YES! Baptism this Saturday.

I wish I could capture every emotion I felt as I watched Heidi get baptized. So she got baptized at a physical therapy place up in Greenwood. The pool is probably 10 x 15 ft. The bottom is made of stainless steel and has holes in it so it can rise all the way to the top to meet the edge of the pool (hopefully that makes sense). Heidi didn't want anyone coming, but there ended up being probably 30 people (probably my fault). We went over to her house right after the interview to make sure she was all ready. When we pulled up she was waiting behind the door in her wheelchair dressed in a white dress. She told us she wasn't nervous at all, which I was very grateful for. We made it up to the facility with no problems, in fact we were a little early. So there was a little waiting around while everyone came. Sister Francis was able to come as well as an elder who had taught her previously (she's been meeting with the missionaries since February). After an opening song and prayer and a few remarks by President Hilton, then rolled her onto the bottom of the pool. Bro Wilde baptized her plus another man and Elder Newbold (the elder who taught her) went in the water. They slowly lowered down the floor until the water was about at her chin. Bro Wilde said the prayer, started to lean her back, and then she started floating! An unforeseen problem. So they ended up just kind of pushing her down to completely immerse her. I can't describe what I felt as I watched her get baptized. For the longest time she was so nervous, but she recognized that she needed to follow Christ's example. Later she told me that when she started floating, she wasn't nervous at all. We went over the her house afterwards. She looked so clean! That's the only way I can describe it. She told us it was all worth it. I could tell that she was really happy. I think her baptism is the most unique one I will ever see. I never imagined in my life that I would have the opportunity to teach and plan a baptism for someone who is bedridden. Definitely worthy all the stress I went through! Heidi has every reason to give up. She is completely dependent on other people, yet she chooses to progress. She's probably taught me more than I have ever taught her.

I wish every single one of you could have been in sacrament meeting in the Franklin ward on Sunday. Obviously Heidi first was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bryant is a 17 year old investigator the elders are teaching. He got up and bore his testimony, can you say missionary? He's not even baptized yet. He set the tone for the entire meeting. Then Leah Ann got up! Also a less active that we've been helping reactivate. Yesterday was only her second time back at church and she was up there! I was sitting in the pew, thinking I should get up, but then telling myself the ward didn't want to hear from me because I'm speaking next week. But I couldn't sit there any longer. I had way to much joy in my heart and I NEEDED to share it with others. D&C 18 was coming to pass in my life. I know that me typing it doesn't do the service justice. There was just a very special spirit there. Afterwards Heidi said she wanted to go up too, it broke my heart. She just didn't know if she would be able to. We told her we would get her to church next Fast Sunday so she could.

After church we went with a couple, the Province's in our ward to visit a few people. The first is a less active family. They have four kids and stopped going to church about 4-5 years ago. I've seen them one before  last transfer and have been calling about every week to set up another appointment. They have every intention of coming to church, but they've been sick the last two Sundays. Anyways, the minute Brother Province mentioned the Indianapolis temple being built in a year their faces lit up. We talked about the possibility of them being sealed as a family. I think it sparked in them a real desire to change. I haven't been able to get this family out of my head! Then we went and met with a HQ referral we received earlier this week. He's dated a Mormon girl from the Martinsville ward in the past and goes to that ward sometimes. He has a sincere desire to learn if the church is true. So it was a typical Restoration lesson, which I love teaching. Anyways, it felt really good to be teaching a first lesson. It's been way too long since I've been able to do that. We committed him to baptism, he said yes. Next appointment on Sunday! I told President at interviews I was nervous because we were baptizing our entire teaching pool. Luckily, Heavenly Father has placed in our path another prepared soul.

The talk for stake conference is going well. I guess. I don't have time to just sit down and prepare a talk like you do when you are not on a mission. I had the craziest dream last night! Elder Holland showed up for conference and I got completely nervous! Luckily it won't happen because he was just here for another stake conference about two months ago. Also, Kenz you were there too! How that happened I have no idea. I am slowly working on it. I have a lot of ideas. We went out to dinner at the Hilton's last Monday night and President Hilton told me to make sure I only speak for 8 minutes, otherwise they won't be too happy. Now I'm more concerned that I'm going to go over my time!

I wish each of you could be in my shoes right now. I'm beyond excited for Don and Leah Ann's baptism on Saturday! She is also going to speak at Why I Believe next Sunday. There were still a lot of hard moments this week, don't get me wrong. But I got chastised in zone meeting by being reminded we are only supposed to write uplifting things home. So I focused on the miracles!

October 28th

First couple days of the week...awful. But I won't focus on those! Friday night was particularly hard, I went to bed miserable. When I woke up Saturday morning I didn't feel very good, but I pushed through exercising! Now...this might sound kind of weird, but I was really sad all morning, so while I was exercising I just kept praying. Finally, it just hit me. "Choose to be happy". I've told myself this a million times and now it's really time to apply it. My circumstances aren't going to change. I'm not going home and my mission will only improve if I choose to allow it. So instead of wallowing in self pity and forced a smile on my face and told myself I was going to be happy today. So I'm pretty sure I had a mild fever and chills and it was freezing cold outside. We didn't really have any plans so we weren't outside a lot. It would have been pretty easy to try and stay in because I wasn't feeling well, but I decided to just be diligent and make the most of it. It ended up being a pretty good day!

Mostly, I just want to tell you about yesterday. Ok wait first. Heidi is getting baptized on Saturday! Just in case you've forgotten, she's the one who has MS and only has movement of one of her arms. So she is getting baptized in a wheelchair at a medical facility. I'm very excited, it's been a long road for her. She started meeting with missionaries back in January.

Ok and then of coarse there is Don and Leah Ann. We finished teaching them the commandments this week. So when we were there Friday night, Jonathon (their grandson) told us as we were leaving that him, his dad, and mom were coming to church "we are going to be the smartest family!" His mom just laughed. Reminder, Carrie isn't too friendly towards the church. BUT! We walked into sacrament meeting she was there!!!! Leah Ann was so happy (Carrie is Leah Ann's daughter-sorry if you can't follow all the people I talk about). A less active we are working with also came to church so I was very excited! AND! A part member family shows up out of nowhere. We noticed them, didn't recognize them so we booked it over there the minute sacrament meeting was over. He's a very less active, was raised in the church but stopped going sometime in his teenage years. She's not a member. We got their phone number and set up a time to meet them this week! I was so excited!!

Next story. Earlier this week we tracted into a woman named Shelly. She didn't seem too interested but we were persistent because she mentioned growing up with some members in Columbus and invited ourselves back anyways. So she let us in yesterday afternoon. So the first time we met her, her daughter came home from school as we were wrapping up our conversation. Yesterday she told us that her daughter asked who we were and what we were doing. Shelly explained and then her daughter (she's nine) asked if they could be Mormon. Shelly told us that kids are able to sense good/bad spirits and she probably recognized that we were good people. So we taught her the Restoration, etc and set up another appointment. She hasn't found a church since she moved her to Franklin four years ago. She wants to come to church. She kept telling us how impressed she was with us because we seemed so solid for such a young age. She's golden! Anyways, I'm pretty excited about her.

Remember that time when I made fun of Mackenzie for having to speak in stake conference? Well I'm just busy with my personal studies last night and the phone starts ringing. Here's the conversation.

Me: "hello this is Sister Mayberry"

President Hill: "hello this is President Hill" - he's the stake president

the typical "how are you" exchange occurs

Me: "President Hill what can I do for you?"

President Hill: I heard that you are the best sister missionary out there"

Me:...."who did you hear that from?"

President Hill: "President Hilton told me" *President Hilton is in the missionary presidency and also in the Franklin ward.

Me thinking of course he did.

President Hill: "we would like you to speak at stake conference in three weeks"

Me: *pause*...."sure I'd love to"

Then he proceeds to tell me what to talk on....

Luckily it's only the Saturday night session, so they'll be less people. But at the same time there won't be any kids, so maybe people pay more attention? President Hilton called me this morning and said "I'm not you favorite person in the world right now am I". haha I told him he wasn't, but that I would forgive him. President Hill told President Hilton that he wanted a missionary to speak and I guess I was the first one that came to mind. He said especially because I've served in two wards in this stake. Anyways, I've been asked to speak on how members can help the full time missionaries. I'm speaking in sacrament meeting the week before, so I only have to prepare one talk really! Then sacrament meeting can be the practice one. So mother and father, your "special" stake conference is going to be on hastening the work of salvation. President Hilton was telling me that Salt Lake has specifically sent out a theme/program for each stake to use.

Sister Vanderveen sent me a quote this week by Elder Holland "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven, but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ they come". I've thought about it a lot. I've thought a lot about what I need to change about myself in order to make the most of my mission. I'm quickly approaching my half way mark. It's hard to believe it. Like I started out this e-mail, I just have to focus on choosing to be happy and learning all I can. Yesterday in relief society and member said how she almost didn't come to church that morning because it would have been easier to just stay home. As she was talking this thought came to my mind "what am I going to gain by going home?" Absolutely nothing, Satan will win. I can't run away just when things get hard. I could technically do it now, but I won't be able to later in life. So? "If the bitter cup doesn't pass, drink it and move on". I'm drinking!! haha. Anyways, I just wanted to focus on the positive this week, instead of all the negative.

October 21st-"If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and move on" Elder Holland

So very last minute we ended up going on exchanges on Thursday. Sister Tibbitts and I made the drive to Bloomington to spend the day on IU campus. It was so much better than last time! I was with Sister Allen again, who I absolutely love. Basically we just taught all day...we have five lessons. It was fun because it reminded me of my first transfer being back in a YSA. As we were driving down there Wednesday night I had some time to think. I realized I REALLY need to focus on effective studies and teaching people. I'm finally at the point where I feel semi-comfortable with where I'm at. I'm familiar with the area, I've trained before (although training is very different every time you do it) etc. I came to the conclusion that it's time to focus on fine tuning my missionary skills. Something Sister Donaldson taught me. I'll continue learning how to be a better missionary even once I get home. In some ways I don't want to go back to BYUI because they are all a bunch of Mormons! I'll just have to figure out how to still be a missionary. I talked with Sister Allen about it and it was perfect because we had so many lesson lined up. It was HARD teaching. I hadn't met any of these people before so it was an intense "teach people not lessons" day. By the last lesson I felt like I finally did something right. The girl we were teaching was questioning the Book of Mormon. I...I mean the Spirit explained it in a way that it made sense to her. There is nothing better than teaching someone and they get it. It's incredible what I am able to learn from people outside of the church. No they don't have the entire truth, but they have an incredible amount of faith and I am able to learn from them. I don't take advantage for the truth that I have in my life. Some of these people that I have met seem to have such stronger testimonies of Christ, and I just thing it's no big deal sometimes. Anyways, exchanges are my favorite, I know I've said that before. I learned a lot from Sister Allen. I was doing terrible pcing on campus....but she just reassured me. I want to be her companion someday two, only two transfers left though.

The elders had a baptism on Saturday. Two weeks in a row? Yeah I think the Franklin ward may very well be the highest baptizing ward in the mission. Anyways, Don and Leah Ann were able to come. They are so solid! We taught them enduring to the end and word of wisdom this week. They were totally cool with it. They told us they are no re-reading the Book of Mormon, started D&C the Priesthood/Relief Society manual and Leah Ann started the Pearl of Great Price haha. Anyways, I don't think anything could get better than teaching them.

I'm not sure what was going on this week, but I got a lot of extra mail which was great! I have to admit, I think that hardest part (at least for me) is thinking that everyone in your life has forgotten about you. Because I'm not around and I don't here from people, you can't help but wonder if people remember you. Saturday was hard....I let some negative things in that I shouldn't have been thinking about. Like looking at the clock, figuring out the time change and wondering what my family was doing at that moment.

A very interesting talk was given in sacrament yesterday. Brother Johnson is on the high council but also in our ward. He got up and said that every time he gets up to speak he asks Heavenly Father what specific thing he should tell the ward in addition to the talk he planned. He told us how that morning he woke up and the Spirit prompted him about what he needed to say. Then he spoke about repentance. Yes, he called the ward to repentance, but in a bold and loving way. It was incredible. Ok now that I'm writing it out it sounds stupid, but I guess it was one of those "you had to be there" moments. There are a lot of mistakes I have to repent of, and some of them are hard to let go. In every missionary's call letter it says that you are to completely devote all your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all personal affairs. That's hard. To completely give everything over to Heavenly Father. The quote in the subject box was something President Cleveland sent us a few weeks ago. We all have to drink bitter cups, multiple ones throughout our lives. I guess I'm learning to just deal with the hard times. My mission isn't going to go away. No matter how many times I go to bed wishing that the next morning I will wake up back in WA, it's not going to happen. At least not for awhile. Yesterday while we were getting ready I realized that one Sunday I'm going to wake up and I'm going to be going home the next day. In some ways that frightens me.

Yesterday at church this woman with five children walked in. She was given a mormon.org card by elders two years ago and she kept it. Her husband just got up a left about seven months ago. She knows she needs to make changes in her life. So? She just decided to try this church. We are going to go and see her this week. Miracle? I would say. Everyone tells us you never know what will become of the work we do. Well she's a living example of that.

This week was a little bit better, still had some very low moments. Luckily we have a lot of plans to be working with the ward in the coming week. Our ward mission leader is pretty sweet. He's totally willing to make phone calls to try and set up appointments with us. While I was sitting in sacrament meeting I realized that I really do love this ward. There are a ton of great families here and I really don't ever want to leave, but I know I will.

As a missionary, a lot of thoughts go through my head each day. A lot of emotions. One moment I'm very homesick and all I want to do is go home. But the minute I get into a teaching experience I don't want to be anywhere else. I think I'm just rambling at this point. Thanks for all the support from everyone! The letters and e-mails from different people this week certainly helped out a lot. The hardest part of a mission is the extreme loneliness that comes. I'm always with some one, but I've never felt so alone in my life. But that's good because it forces me to turn to Heavenly Father.

To end this rather random e-mail, I'm attaching some pictures of the local scenery. Indiana is beautiful in the fall, that's what everyone told me. I'm sad I only get one out here. I pulled out my nylons this week! It got a little cold, but it's warmed back up again.

October 14th

Transfer meetings are always a weird mix of emotions. I wasn't as nervous as I was the first time, but definitely still quite a bit. My new companions name is Sister Tibbitts, she's from Mesa Arizona. She's actually older than me which freaked me out at first, but only by six months. After transfer meeting we had to swing by the mission office to pick up some things. President Cleveland was in one of the offices and said "Sister Mayberry, you're still here??? I would have thought you would have been out tracting by now". I told him I was working on it! Then he said he was just kidding. I'm glad he can tease me. That night I was pretty confident that I could train, or at least kind of. Unfortunately, that feeling has once again left.

Anyways, Don and Leah Ann are doing incredible! I know I say that every week, but she are. Leah Ann ordered both of them a quad plus the conference Ensign. Our lesson in Relief Society was on missionary work. She raised her hand and told a little bit of her story. About how she had so many walls built up over the years and that it was the sister's patience in listening and answering her questions that helped her gradually tear them down. I know differently, it was all the Spirit. Recognizing the Spirit has been the biggest miracle/blessing of my mission. That night we talked about baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. Leah Ann listened to several talks by President Monson and she told us that she learned that baptism isn't a one time thing. She was explaining the principle of covenants to us! I was so impressed. November 9th can't come soon enough! She wrote out some thoughts she's been having the last couple of days, basically it's a testimony.

Summer's baptism on Saturday was wonderful. I was so stressed out that something was going to go wrong, because that's what happened last time. But! Nothing happened and a lot of people showed up actually. Baptisms are a neat thing to watch. Watching people come closer to Christ is the best thing in the world.

The poor elders here now. They got double transferred in and one of them is training. Elder Hymas (the senior companion) has only been in one area is entire mission (we came out together). His head is kind of in the clouds, but he's exactly how I was six weeks ago. It's funny to watch him. Working with the ward lately has been going pretty well. President Cleveland wants us in members homes a lot more and luckily out WML is willing to make phone calls for us.

Kind of a lame e-mail this week, I know. I just don't have a whole lot to say.