Week 41

So, there was a bit of a surprise last Monday at four o'clock... We got the news that I would go from being companions with this awesome sister:

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...to this awesome sister!:

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For you "long-time followers" of my blog (aka family ;) you may recognize this face as Sister Reed! From way back when in Poplar Bluff.

The news of this switch was unexpected for Sister Schwenke and I, since transfers for the mission aren't until July 16, but when the Lord (or the mission president) calls, we answer! So, Sister Schwenke packed up her bags and the next day, after district meeting, we made the switch. Sister Reed and I, reunited once again... Could be dangerous ;)

On Wednesday, we were supposed to do a normal exchange with the Sister Training Leaders, but the switch made some changes in the plans. Instead, the STLs came down and spent a couple of hours on exchanges with us and then with the other sisters.

It was a fun exchange though! We tracked down a woman who moved without leaving an address. We knocked on her old house's door, and met her old roommate, who directed us to her mom's house... They weren't very good directions, so we knocked on a couple of houses and then came to one that had a sign that said "NO SOLICITORS. NO BIBLE THUMPERS" on it, which made us crack up. We knocked anyway, and that turned out to be the mom's house! She directed us to the gas station where the woman works, so it all worked out eventually and we were able to meet her!

On Thursday, we spent the day in Marshall (that's where the picture of Sister Reed and I is located). We saw quite a few less active members, which was good. Hopefully we can help them to come back to church sometime soon!

Friday was the Fourth! Happy Independence Day! We were invited by our investigator Annie to come to her house and have a barbecue and then go watch the fireworks. It was really neat to see the fireworks show because it felt like most of the town had gathered together to watch. It was a pretty good show, and I think that I only got one bug bite (miracles do happen!).

Saturday was busy as well. We have two part-member families that we are teaching right now, which is awesome. I love teaching part-member families because the member is being bolstered as well. It's amazing to see someone's testimony being reignited by sharing it.

Sunday, we didn't have any investigators at church. That's definitely the biggest struggle we are having right now to help people progress in the gospel. I have a very strong testimony now that church IS necessary! We aren't really living our religion unless we gather together and partake of the sacrament. I love the weekly opportunity to renew our promises to God and to be blessed as we learn together as a people.

Fun link for the church: https://history.lds.org/section/women-of-conviction?lang=eng I like all the articles about the first sister missionaries. They've been out and about for more than 100 years! There's a long tradition of sister missionaries for the church.

Our mission has been reading the Gospels this transfer, and I've also been spending some of my personal study in the New Testament. I really love these books. These, the teachings of Jesus Christ, are the fundamental principles of our religion. I love reading His words and His interactions with the people. One thing that I've really noticed is how different the style of each of the gospels is. Matthew focuses on the history and the fulfilling of scripture; Mark is very straightforward and shows Jesus Christ as a man of action; Luke likes to give more details about the individuals so you really get to know the people; and John has so many of the words of Christ and His conversations. So good! But as I study these, I can really feel my testimony of Christ growing, and I feel like I am getting to know Him better.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week. Summer is moving quick! Missionary work is the best! :)

Devynne