Saying goodbye was so hard!!! I felt like I was leaving my family. Luckily, I was pretty proud of myself and I didn't shed too many tears on Monday and Tuesday. I didn't get any sleep those two nights! I would have thought by now I would have gotten used to transfers...but I guess I never will. Tuesday night was probably the best last night I could have had. A member in the branch has the really really good family friend that isn't a member that was quite upset when she found out I was leaving. She wanted to have us over for dinner. After dinner we taught her about the Book of Mormon using the pictures in the front. It was a good lesson, I had each family member share with her why they love reading the Book of Mormon. On our way down to Indy Wednesday morning, we got this text from the member
"Good morning sisters! What a beautiful day. Wanted to thank you for the wonderful message you share with us and especially Kathy last night. She was really appreciate of it. She called me last night to tell me that she really loved what you shared. I stopped by this morning at her house and she was reading the Book of Mormon. I hope we can continue to share the lessons with her. I am not sure she will ever join but she will have been given the chance. And because of you two I had the courage to share with her. Love you both!"
I absolutely love getting texts like this (and yes I write them down in my journal). Tuesday night I lay wide awake in bed so I got up to write some lessons I had learned in Plymouth in my journal. This was my first area where people have asked me to keep in contact. I've learned how to develop family like relationships, how serving people leads to love. I didn't know what it meant to strengthen the ward/branch members. I've learned what it means to truly care for people. President Kelly played a huge role in teaching me that. I don't think I was supposed to learn how to teach investigators in Plymouth, but I learned some other incredible lessons. At the end of our lessons with Kathy asked us if we were a Mary or a Martha. I didn't really know how to respond, probably because I've never thought of it. She looked at me and said I was a Mary. I I was deeply touched because I feel like that's a very meaningful compliment although I'm pretty sure I don't live up to it.
We stopped by the Indy temple and took pictures! I was so nervous that morning I couldn't eat! Since transfer calls I had been feeling I would be going to one of the Lafayette wards. Right before transfer meeting an elder came up to me and said I was getting double transferred into Lafayette 1st ward because the sister training leader had told me. First, I was a little mad because he took away the suspense! Well...he was right. I LOVE MY COMPANION!!! Sister Hales...she's from Spanish Fork Utah and has spent her first six months on ISU campus. I love it because we come from the same mission genealogy (haha cheesy...I know). Her great grandmother is Sister Donaldson...so we do things the same :) So the ward is probably 80% graduate students going to Purdue...lots of babies! We live just a couple of miles from campus and right next to three other sets of missionaries. I'm so excited to be around other missionaries! I think there are about 11 sets of missionaries in Lafayette/West Lafayette.
Obviously the first couple of days were a bit rough...always are in a DT. We helped two different people move on Friday and Saturday. Luckily, we have some pretty awesome investigators. I think every nationality is represented here. We went tracting and we only talked to one white person. Obviously I need to learn how to talk to people without a Christian background which I'm glad because it will push me more.
The broadcast Saturday night was wonderful and I'm even more excited for General Conference this week. Church was awesome. No one in the ward knew they were putting sisters in but there's been a rumor for a couple transfers now. The ward is definitely different compared to Plymouth. The one good thing was a didn't feel overwhelmed with not knowing anyone! In all my past areas I've just gotten a little bit anxious the first Sunday, but that didn't happen this time! After church we went out walking to try potentials. Oh....we only have a car part time. We are sharing with the elders in the ward until the mission can get more cars. Anyways, luckily it was about 60 degrees yesterday so I was totally fine with being outside. Last night we went to Why I Believe. I always love hearing the testimonies of recent converts.
I'M SO STOKED ABOUT THIS TRANSFER!!!! Seriously, Sister Hales and I are already best friends. We both think we should be companions for the next four transfers. It will be interesting helping her adjust to tracting and a family ward. She was getting discouraged because no one wants to talk to us. I definitely miss Plymouth, but I feel like this was a good area to come into.
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