Happy Late Father's Day!

Hello Everyone!

 

Well, it was father's day yesterday. The Wards deffintly make a bigger deal out of mother's day than fathers day. But that's okay. They all got cookies anyway. We ate Father's day breakfast with the Loar family. Bro Loar is the Ward mission leader for Southern Estates Ward. His son Josh just got home from his mission in Sacramento California. He's an AWKWARD return missionary. But that's okay. we still love them. My goal: don't be awkward. It's not a big deal to get off your mission. Don't make it one.

 

This week has been crazy busy. we taught 27 lessons this week. That's an all time high. And we had one Baptism! That's right, we did. in the SE ward, we've been teaching a man named John for about a 2 transfers. He was awesome and quit smoking soon enough to get baptized a week ahead of schedule. So we did that. His health is so poor we wanted to do it before he kicked off. KIDDING! but he really is a sweet guy and is always happy and optimistic. A real example. So we were able to put that together for last Friday. We had a pretty good turn out for the baptism too. So that makes it a pretty good week.

 

Sister Renfro got released from her calling as a ward missionary because of the new handbook. After we found out, we all turned around and looked at her with a "Are you serious?" look on our faces. She was like, "You still have to call me." She has been so blessed by her whole hearted service as a ward missionary. Her 2 of 5 kids have been inactive and drugged up and are making a 360 turn around. Its been a beautiful thing to watch. Her daughter came to church last sunday. We all pretty muched jumped up and clapped to see her there. YAY!

 

So at the beginning of the week (i was still having a rough time with my comps) and sister dewitt was on exchanges (again) and so I was driving with sister Tanner. For a mutual activity, the kids had played a game with flour (i think) because the road was all covered in it and the air looked like it was very foggy. Well, I got distracted with it and hit the curb. And popped the tire. yes I did. And i was quite upset with my self. We managed to drive to our next lesson with a LA and an investigator and the EQ president. They all laughed at me and put on the spare tire. The LA, also a Renfro, calles me Kirby now (i have no idea why) and makes a crashing sound every time we do a fist bump. Yeah, rub it in while you can...I'll be gone soon. We called Elder Stewart (senior missionary in the office) about it and we took it in to get it fixed. He called back and wanted to know what had happened. He was pretty chill about it (normally, missionaries live in fear of the elder) and I offered to pay for the new tire. He was like, "No, that's not why I was calling you." Ok. I can take that. If I was an elder, I'd probably lose my driving privilages. Ah, the joys of being a sister.

  

This week we also had a blitz training, which is something I guess they are going to do on a transfer basis. What it is is, i'm not exactly sure. But we switch companions and get some training about somethign. This time it was about how to plan more with the spirit. Pretty much what Sister Scott tried to teach us was that nightly planning was supposed to be a mini weekly planning which involved the 13 steps of weekly planning. Eh, okay. Lots of work and since my comps can't stay on track for more than 2 minutes it would take a really long time to plan. So we plan as we always do.

We had sister scott come to us. She served in Valencia with me and was helpful when I was taking over the area from sister Hernandez and Lopez. 

 

My companions have gone on a lot of exchanges this week. Sister Dewitt twice and sister Tanner once. And i'm still here. I keep track of what's going on. I update the area books and the progress records and get the baptismal records into the mission office the next day as opposed to the next month (like lots of missionaries I know). We keep on doing what we are told. One of the people in the wards gave a talk about obedience and how it brings blessings. But exact obedience brings miracles. So, be exacty obedient, which is what i've been learning about and wanted to apply more and more. But it's harder than it sounds sometimes...

 

This week we have been pretty good at playing sports in the morning. We have played ultimate frisbee and soccer (a peace offering from sister tanner, cause i miss playing soccer) and we played wallyball today. For our zone activiy we are going to play frisbee golf. Not to thrilled about that one. but we shall be a team player.

 

As for the rest of our investigators, Maria came to the VC to watch a movie and brought her sister and her kids. She loves it. And her son wants to learn a lot about Joseph Smith (awesome) and they even came to chruch! Fransisco was even wearing a suit and tie! (grey suit witha purple shirt and tie - dang cute!) so we are making progress with her.

 

We took Miko to the VC to watch somethign about the black pioneers. it was a little interesting. But then again, black people have their own culture. Miko is 23 with 2 kids and one on the way and is dang hormonal. So she is giving up and moving back to sacramento, but she wants to get baptized. She is moving this friday and I'm going to miss those cute girls.

 

We found Royce Finally. He's a good kid. He didn't come to churhc but he is really open and willing. His mom is way less active and fluent in the bible. so this will be fun.

 

We gave Nidia a Preach My Gospel to use. She is getting very frustrated with Guadalupe (father in law) he is not willing to listen or do anything with the gospel. He came to chruch with them last week adn invited our RC Ernesto to his church. Saul (Nidia's hubby) got really upset and said taht Guadalupe wasn't respecting their religion. So guadalupe could have his and we (Saul + Nidia + girls) will have our own chruch. Yay Saul! He's set to get baptized next month, and one of nidia's daughters wants to do it too. Awesome example nidia!

 

So we are working hard. We keep going at it and doing the best we can. Serve and Sacrifice and learn something out of it. Hopefully. I hope you all enjoy your week and keep on smiling!

 

Love Emily (sorry no pictures, forgot my connector)