...you get in the car and say "Wow! It's 14 today! Sweet!"
...your hands and face are super chapped from the wind
...you've experienced -30 windchill
...32 degrees feels toasty. Who needs gloves?
Yeah. We had a couple of really, really, really cold days this week. WHY DIDN'T THEY SEND ME BACK DOWN SOUTH FOR THE WINTER???
Just kidding, I love Springfield! But it was very, very cold. This may be disgusting, but I've never experience actually having your nose hairs freeze when you breathe in through your nose! That was a new one. (Calvin and Hobbes, anyone?)
Other than the SUPER COLD WEATHER, it was a great week! I wish I had some pictures! I didn't take any this week. Sorry. I'll repent and do better this week on that...
Monday night, it snowed as we were heading to our dinner appointment. Actually, this week, I've gotten quite a bit of experience of driving in wintry conditions. It's great! One of my goals for this winter was to learn how to drive in snow. Life skills you learn on the mission! Sister Martinez is a little terrified for her life, especially when I remind her that this is pretty much the first time in my life that I've ever driven in snow, but a little healthy fear is good for the soul, I think.
Tuesday and Wednesday, we went on exchanges with the sisters in Rantoul. That was fun! I had visited Rantoul last transfer too, so I got to see a couple of people that I had met the time before, and meet some new ones! It's always a good experience to visit a different area. If I have one favorite thing about being a sister training leader, it's being able to spend time with sisters that I normally wouldn't get to spend time with, and visiting areas that I normally wouldn't get to visit.
Thursday was our zone conference! It was so much fun. Our zone carpooled up to Champaign's stake center. Sister Martinez and I organized a "pre zone conference breakfast party." :) Because we had to meet at 7:30 to get to Champaign in a timely fashion. This was my last zone conference in the mission, which really made me sad to think about. These meetings, where we get together with a lot of missionaries, and lift one another up, really bless your life as a missionary. Sister Martinez and I did a training on the power of the Book of Mormon in conversion, which went really well. The bulk of our training was people testifying of how the Book of Mormon has deepened their testimony of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was super strong. The whole mission is going to be reading the Book of Mormon together by next April General Conference, which is really exciting. Reading the Book of Mormon is the best! :)
Of course, another one of those moments... I'll be home by April General Conference. I keep having these moments where it strikes me anew and I turn to Sister Martinez and I'll say something like, "Is there really only one more transfer after this before I go home?" or "Is it already Week 3?" I think it weirds her out. She probably thinks I have a terrible memory ;)
Friday, we invited two of our investigators to be baptized and they accepted! Then one of them came to church with her three kids! (the other one was sick). Another lady, Lori, we've been working with a long time. She is so great. Amazing testimony of Joseph Smith. And she came to church, for the first time, even though she had been in the emergency room until 1 am that morning. She was determined to make it though, and faith really does bring miracles! And prayer. The power of prayer is real.
So, a good week! Tough times, for sure, but that's okay. We don't appreciate happiness until we experience sadness, and so forth. Opposition in all things is a good thing.
Lots of love,
Sister Barret
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