Then, on Tuesday, we went to the local library and asked if there were any service opportunities. There were a few events coming up and she said she'd be more then happy to see us there and still had plenty of spots she needed to fill with volunteers. We are looking forward to it greatly! Afterwards, we went out to the parking lot and scraped some cars. The library is the second story of a large building that has a Safeway, library, dentist, insurance, hair stylist, Subway, and bar. There were PLENTY of cars that needed scraping. As we were, a few people talked to us. One guy came up to us and asked us to scrape his friend's car. It turns out he worked at one of the second story businesses and he and his friends saw what we were doing, and his friend wanted us to scrape his car, and even put arrows in the window pointing down, hoping we would see and help him out. We didn't see. We agreed, and the man offered us $20 to scrape two cars! We said that our service is simply a way to help the people of the community, and he didn't need to pay us. We went over and began scraping those cars and a few more, which were parked outside the bar. The bartender saw what we were doing and came out and thanked us for what we were doing. He offered to buy us both a drink, as long as we were both 21. We told him we were alright to serve for free.
The next day I made Valentine Day cookies! My mom sent me a sugar cookie recipe, and we borrowed some cookie cutters from a member, and I got to work. We didn't have a rolling pin, so that was fun, but it worked out. It took forever to make them all, and the frosting was difficult as well. The bag with the frosting ripped a few times, and it had taken way longer then expected to make the cookies, so I rushed through decorating them and the cookie decoration looked... interesting. I called it abstract. Luckily the cookies tasted good enough, so people didn't seem to mind.
Speaking of baking, last week I made chocolate chip cake, but seeing as we didn't have a bunt pan, I had to be a little creative and make them in muffin pans, which turned out fine. It made it a lot easier to hand out to people. I had baked a few batches, and on the last batch I forgot to put spray oil on it before hand, and they didn't want to come out. A few of them did and looked a little wanky, but good enough. For the rest I got to eat it from the pan with a spoon. Haha, that was fun. Some missionaries eat cereal, I eat cake.
This week we got to help out with Project Linus! It was so fun, where volunteers come together and make blanket, felt, quilt, etc. for children in need. Sister Harvey and I helped out with broken blankets, blankets where people forgot to do a step and cut off the trim before putting it all together, so we went through and cut them off for them. It was so much fun, and it turns out that while Project Linus is a large operation with factions all over the place, it was started here 25 years ago. We were able to meet the founder and everything. It was such a fun experience.
My mom is so sweet! This week she sent me a package with snacks, things I had forgotten at home, and valentine goodies. She even sent some stuff for Sister Harvey, which she absolutely loved. She also sent us music, which is so nice. Sister Coburn had a USB that connected to the car and was full of church music and uplifting songs that spoke of Christ and beautiful piano and guitar music, but when she left she had to take them with her. Sister Harvey and I had been listening to the same two discs for a week or two, which isn't terrible, we're just grateful to have a car, but it was beginning to sound repetitive to our ears. My mom, being the awesome person she is, found some music disks to send to us. It's been great.
This week, we have nearly hit our Teaching and service goals! Last week, we had 15 lessons, three of those lessons with people interested in the church. Then last Tuesday we made a goal to get at least seven hours of service in a week, and yesterday I counted it up and we had done nine hours of service! The new mission goal is to reach ten hours a week, but lately we had been getting five or six. We still have one more day and we hit nine hours!!!
Also, another exciting event happened on Saturday, the 15th. It was my Great Grandmother's 100th Birthday! I was able to receive special permission to call in and talk to her on a day that wasn't P-Day and it was so fun! I got to talk to her, my grandma Sharon, and my Grandpa Lynn. It sounds like at the gathering there were around 75 people, all related to grandma. It was so great being able to call home and talk to three people I love so dearly. It brightened the rest of my day.
I've also been working on the Prophet's invitation, and I've been learning so much about the first vision and the restoration! I've also been studying the Doctrine and Covenants chapters that he invited the women of the church to study, and so much of it talks about missionary work. It feels so personal to me, like he extended the invitation to help me while I am out here on my mission. It has been such a great experience and I have become more and more excited about General Conference because of it!
That week has been so busy, but in the best ways. I love being able to make something myself then hand it out. I'm a crafter and I love having something for my hands to do, and I also love service, so baking is the perfect combination. So far I've made two batches of mini chocolate chip cakes and one large batch of valentine day cookies, and I am excited to try making the other recipes my mom sent my way!
