1/27

This week has been a little crazy. Last Monday, my trainer, Sister Coburn, got a phone call from president. A Sister from a near by area was going home early and leaving the next day, and he asked her if she would be willing to serve in that area for the last week of her mission. It broke her heart, since she had so many people she wanted to say good-bye to and it was hard to leave this ward that had truly become a home to her, but she said she would. We went home, packed up, and she went off to serve the Lord in a new area. In all, her longest area was this area, in which she has been serving for eight months, and her shortest was six days, in Westridge, where she is serving now. 

On Friday, we got a phone call and we were told that a Sister from over the mountain would be coming here on Saturday. She would leave along with Sister Coburn, so she would only be here about two days, and we happily agreed to her coming to serve along with us these last two days. Her name is Sister MacDonald, and she has been such a delight to have. 

On the same day she arrived, I received a package from my Boma. Inside were three hand knit hats, and three goody bags. My Boma didn't know my trainer had been transferred and we only had two, but it worked out in the end. Because of it, we were able to greet Sister MacDonald with smile, a nice meal, and a gift from Boma.  Boma is awesome and magical and her timing is ON POINT. Now I know where my mom gets her awesome timing from. Haha.

When we heard we were losing our trainer a week early, Sister Harvey and I were worried. Sister Harvey had only been here only six weeks longer then me, so we didn't know how it would be. Now we know, that no matter how prepared we feel, God makes the difference. This week has been one of my best weeks on my mission so far. We have been serving left and right, teaching who ever seem interested, and we have gone in head first. It has been so fun. We have been on so many walking trails around Highlands Ranch, talking to people, chalking out inspirational messages, picking up trash, and enjoying the sun and the beautiful world the Lord has given us. It has been so fun. It's very sunny here right now, and I'm starting to feel like I'm back in Washington, because everyday people have been saying it's going to be snowing soon. It's been three weeks of hearing that. It hasn't snowed or even rained. It's been sunny and the sunsets and sunrises have been GLORIOUS.

Last week, we had been tracting a new area and met a lady named Claira, who has a deep love of the outdoors and of creatures big and small. She has fostered and rehabilitated squirrels, foxes, fawns, and more. She has seven cats, one tiny dog, and two small ponies. She told us we could come by anytime and feed them. This week, we were able to return and she talked a lot with us, and we were able to scatter food for the deer, and they came up and ate within seven feet of us! They were so close. It was great watching them. After, we went to her mini barn, where she housed her two small ponies. One was named Munch, the other Wigdet. They were very happy to see us, especially when they discovered that we had carrots and apples for them. We fed them, helped Claira put out their real meal, and went back inside. She called her home, with all the animals, her Garden of Eden. We could see why. She has many plants as well, and we have promised to come back and help water her plants and feed her pets. We are very excited to go back. She's a very kind lady with a great love for living things. I can relate to that. 

Today, I sent two companions home. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to serve along side them and to learn from them. They are truly two loving and talented Sister Missionaries and were a great example to me.

Overall, this week has been pretty great. A lot of growing, learning, and serving. I can't even explain in an email everything that happens in a single week when on a mission. It's a little insane. It feels like time flows differently here, and I am amazed everyday at the Lord and all He does for us everyday.  I am grateful everyday that I decided to serve a mission.