So, we found out on Sunday night that Sister Lee is getting transferred. Unfortunately, we don't know where until tomorrow at transfer conference. I'm more concerned about who my companion is going to be. Because of all the emergency transfers because of the 4 sisters going home for illness, there are only 3 sisters getting transferred actually at the transfer mark: Sister Lee, Sister Mazza, and Sister Debenham. There is one companionship that is out full proselyting right now and we're not sure if one of them is getting transferred, but other than that, this is it. So it appears I only have two options for my companions. One (Mazza) is currently serving in my branch in the Chardon West area and is going home next transfer. The other, Sis. Debenham, came out with me. So if we serve together, we would be greenie-breaking each other. Everyone is thinking that we will be companions because her only options are to serve with me, or serve with Sister Schwanke--her MTC companion. No matter who it is, it's tough taking over an area your second transfer, and I'm a bit terrified. Chardon is struggling right now, and we're struggling with all of our investigators and it's a big responsibility. I keep telling myself that the Lord has a reason and He thinks I can do this... We'll see.
ANYWHO, I have a funny story :) So Thursday was p-day and on p-day we are required to be out of our apartment and get to work at 6 pm. Right at 6, we obediently leave our apartment to head to our area. Our arms are completely full of fruit and vegetable scraps that we need to bring and put in compost. Sister Lee had a free hand so she shut the door and I'm walking towards the car when I realize she's not behind me. I turn around and look at her and she's got a shocked look on her face. She locked the keys in the apartment. Then she asks if I have the phone; I had left the phone in the apartment. hahahaha! We NEVER forget the keys or the phone, and we were so distracted, we forgot BOTH of them! and to make it even better, the members we live with are temple workers for 3 days in Columbus, so they won't be home for two days! hahaha. We walk to a neighbors house and when we ring the doorbell a man opens the door and goes "oh no...." until we explain we're not there to preach and then he lets us right in! haha. We call a member in our ward who had a spare key to the house, but he doesn't answer. We have nothing to do, so we decide we're going to walk to his house. We couldn't even go tracting because we don't live in our area! So we end up walking an hour and a half on busy roads down to the Senter's house, past all the rotting road kill and everything. Several times someone almost pulls over, sees our tags, then gets back onto the road. Haha I love being Mormon. Did I mention it started to rain too? Awesome. A true mission experience :) Of course, when we get to the Senters, it appears they no longer have the spare key, and Sister Senter doesn't even have her car. hahaha. At this point, it's almost 7:45. We call the Chardon West sisters who have a key to the apartment, and they leave Kirtland to come pick us up and we end up going out for ice cream, since we had no time left to go to our area. Oh well, not the most productive missionary day, but definitely one for the books!
Well I apologize that my letters ramble so much, but I just don't want to leave anything out :) I can't believe BYU started yesterday. Scott, are you enjoying classes so far? You're going to have to tell me about your experience if you ever get the chance. Don't worry, I know time is very limited at school, and I wasn't even doing sports! But if you get the chance some Sunday afternoon, shoot me an email! Hope everyone is enjoying the reunion in the west! Love you all so much!
Sister Maughan
p.s. Tomorrow I will find out who my companion is, and also what my new schedule is so I have no idea what day I'll be at sites or when my p-day is, so it'll be a surprise! haha. sorry bout that.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Endure to the end apparently means survival of the fittest
The subject line is very true. I assumed when I got my mission call that I would be serving for 18 months, but apparently it doesn't go that way! We had another sister go home because of mono on Monday, and now there is a second sister who has been fighting mono since February who is getting worse and may be going home too. AHHH!!! If she does go home, that will be FIVE sisters in 2 weeks! That's unbelievable! But we're crossing our fingers and praying that that does happen. Four is more than enough.
But because of all the sisters going home, it's kind of like we are having transfers a week early, there have been so many changes. Sister Hansen's companion is the one who went home this week, and so she has a new companion. It's going to be quite the switch for her because her new companion is a very hard worker, and because of Sister Talbot--her sick companion--they have not been working too hard, because she was not able too. I'm hoping that she'll adjust well. In answer to your question, no, I don't get to see Sister Hansen very often :( Because she is serving at the John Johnson Farm, we never overlap, but each Tuesday morning all the VC sisters--including those at the farm--come to Kirtland for a training meeting, so I do get to see her for a little bit each week, which is such a saving grace. Especially this week. I love that girl.
Transfers is all that everyone is talking about this week. Today is the day that the mission president and our sites director, Elder Butterfield, meet together and decide transfers. We find out Sunday night who is getting transferred and then Wednesday we have transfer conference, when you meet the new missionaries and find out where you are getting transferred.
I can't believe I haven't told you about our sites director yet, sorry! Elder and Sister Butterfield are probably the sweetest people I have ever met! Normally, this is a 2 year mission, but they are so wonderful that last December they were asked to extend a year! They go home this January though, and we're all pretty sad about that, but it's still a ways away, so no need to start crying yet! Sister Butterfield is this tiny sweet woman who actually reminds me of Grandma Watson. She's fabulous. She gives the best hugs and she always knows when something is upsetting you. Elder Butterfield is so fun, and sweet, and just a really amazing guy. It's hard to describe them, except to just say that they are wonderful!
Things in Chardon continue to go pretty well. We picked up a few more investigators, got flamed by others, and continue to work with Aisha. We are now a little over 2 weeks away from her baptism. Sometimes she feels very solid. Other times we say a special prayer for her. But she continues to avoid addictions and temptations so something is working! I'll keep you posted.
Okay, well I am going to send this email and then try and figure out how to get this card reader to work and send pictures! Library computers are stupid. Anyway! Love you all!! Miss you lots.
Sister Maughan
But because of all the sisters going home, it's kind of like we are having transfers a week early, there have been so many changes. Sister Hansen's companion is the one who went home this week, and so she has a new companion. It's going to be quite the switch for her because her new companion is a very hard worker, and because of Sister Talbot--her sick companion--they have not been working too hard, because she was not able too. I'm hoping that she'll adjust well. In answer to your question, no, I don't get to see Sister Hansen very often :( Because she is serving at the John Johnson Farm, we never overlap, but each Tuesday morning all the VC sisters--including those at the farm--come to Kirtland for a training meeting, so I do get to see her for a little bit each week, which is such a saving grace. Especially this week. I love that girl.
Transfers is all that everyone is talking about this week. Today is the day that the mission president and our sites director, Elder Butterfield, meet together and decide transfers. We find out Sunday night who is getting transferred and then Wednesday we have transfer conference, when you meet the new missionaries and find out where you are getting transferred.
I can't believe I haven't told you about our sites director yet, sorry! Elder and Sister Butterfield are probably the sweetest people I have ever met! Normally, this is a 2 year mission, but they are so wonderful that last December they were asked to extend a year! They go home this January though, and we're all pretty sad about that, but it's still a ways away, so no need to start crying yet! Sister Butterfield is this tiny sweet woman who actually reminds me of Grandma Watson. She's fabulous. She gives the best hugs and she always knows when something is upsetting you. Elder Butterfield is so fun, and sweet, and just a really amazing guy. It's hard to describe them, except to just say that they are wonderful!
Things in Chardon continue to go pretty well. We picked up a few more investigators, got flamed by others, and continue to work with Aisha. We are now a little over 2 weeks away from her baptism. Sometimes she feels very solid. Other times we say a special prayer for her. But she continues to avoid addictions and temptations so something is working! I'll keep you posted.
Okay, well I am going to send this email and then try and figure out how to get this card reader to work and send pictures! Library computers are stupid. Anyway! Love you all!! Miss you lots.
Sister Maughan
Friday, August 20, 2010
I think I smell funny. Everyone is leaving me.
So in the past week, we have lost 3 Kirtland sisters. That was all within 5 days too. Last Saturday, one of my FAVORITE sisters in the mission went home. Her name is Sister Hill and I love her guts, she makes everyone so happy. She was serving in Chardon West area, so we were in the same branch and got to see each other a lot. Well, she's been sick since the MTC and even before (she's been out one transfer longer than me) and she finally had to go home on Saturday :( She should be coming back out here though once she gets better. I am really hoping that's true because I miss her. Kirtland seems dull without Sis. Hill.
On Monday, Sister Decker (not the one from the MTC) went home. She was originally called to the Phillipines, and she was in the country for 2 months when she got sick and had to come home. After healing for a few months they re-assigned her to come to Kirtland--which is about as opposite from the Phillipines as you could possible get and still be in the same world. She got here three weeks before us, but she has still been really sick, so she went home on Monday. It's so sad. She won't be coming back, especially since she's already tried to serve twice. I miss her too.
AND THEN on top of that we had another sister leave yesterday as well! Sister Reed has been serving here in Kirtland for two months because she has been waiting for her visa to go to Spain. She was called to Barcelona, but they sent her to Kirtland to wait for her visa. I have no idea why they sent her to a visitor center where she would have to learn additional information about a historic site, but they did and she got her visa Tuesday night, so she's gone too. It's sad. We went from 31 to 28 sisters in five days. 28 is a lonely number...Not really, but it feels like it.
But in other news, it's been a pretty good week. Tomorrow marks one month that I have been here in Ohio. I have no idea how that happened. But somehow I find myself 1/9 of the way done with my mission. haha. I know, a large percentage. But it's my first real milestone. Plus, in a week and a half we have the end of the transfer, and I will officially be done with my greenie transfer. Hallelujah. It's a weird feeling though. You asked what it's like to be proselyting, it's pretty typical like other missionaries. We go tracting (which is usually really ineffective) and stop by potential investigators and such. We have about 7 investigators and a few more potential. We meet a lot with less active members. I can't decide whether I like being a proselyting sister or VC sister better. It changes from day to day.
Some of the highlights from this week: We got two more investigators on Tuesday (which was good because we got flamed by 3 appointments...). Aisha continues to stand strong against her temptations, and we're SO proud.
Continuing with the theory that the Mormon church is a small world, I gave a tour yesterday to someone who knew the Rich's. They were amazed when I knew it was Ted and Pete Rich. Apparently the elderly woman's brother married a Rich. And since the Rich's lived across the street from Grandma and Grandpa, that makes this couple and I practically family. Obviously...okay perhaps not... But still small world. I also got an AMAZING package from Susan Zobell this week! It brightened my day! Tell her I say thanks, and that she has a card coming :)
Okay, favorite story from the week: A woman from Chardon Branch took us out to dinner on Tuesday night. She took us to an Amish Restaurant called Mary Yoder's. You can tell from the name of the restaurant that this is going to be good. It's a cute little place, that includes a gift shop and a bakery. We had an Amish waitress named Marie who served us. The food was decent. It's mostly for the experience that people go there. And the AMAZING apple butter! (yum yum yum yum yum!) But when we were leaving Mary Yoders, we came across a stop sign where the parking lot meets the road. But instead of saying "STOP" on the sign, it says "WHOA". haha! For the horses. It's funny, okay?! At least give me a sympathy laugh, because I laughed for probably 10 minutes straight. It was a strange day. Don't worry though, I got a picture in front of the sign. When I get a card reader I'll try and send home some pictures. Sorry!
I CANNOT believe Scott is at BYU! That is unbelievable! Scott, how did you get so old!? You're going to have to tell me what it's all like: xc, roommate, cannon center (which is far better food than our cannon center by the way...), classes, etc. I am so excited for you! Craig, how does it feel to be the only child now at home? I hope you enjoy it. Juice it for all it is worth :)
Well, I'm out of things to say. But I hope that things are going well in this crazy week. Love you all!! <3
Sister Maughan
Friday, August 13, 2010
It's "come follow me", not "go get 'er done"
I hope that subject line made you laugh, because when my branch president said it in branch council, it certainly made me laugh!! hehe.
So when Mom asked what the set up of Kirtland is like, I realized that I haven't done a great job describing things! Sorry about that! Kirtland really consists of three spots: "sites" (or the main visitor center and historic village), Morley Farm and Johnson Farm. The two farms are only open May to October and only senior couples do tours of the Morley farm. The Johnson home is about 35 miles away from sites, and there are sisters there. In fact, my beloved Sister Hansen is there so I NEVER get to see her which breaks my heart! But we are convinced we will be companions later, so it's all good :)
So the majority of us work at sites. And I get to work with the sisters at some point of the week. The sisters that live in the Hyrum Smith home or the Boynton home (aka on site) -- they work half days every day of the week, but those of us who are at satellite sites and our proselyting area is farther away, we work half the week on sites, half the week in our area. Does that make sense?
But working at the village is where there is everything. The tour includes a 23 minute video called I Remember Kirtland, a stop on the Stoney Brook Bridge, then up to the N.K. Whitney Store (including the School of the Prophets), then over to the Whitney home, passing by the Johnson Inn, and over to the sawmill and ashery. There you go! An hour and a half tour summed up in one sentence! Of course, come to Kirtland and I'll share with you fun stories and all kinds of enjoyable things :) I love working sites. Of course, I like proselyting too...I guess I just like being a missionary! Tell Sis. Vanderwerken that I'm beginning to pray now to be sent to the Johnson home, because not a lot of people do and I would LOVE to spend a transfer or two working there!! And when I do, I'll expect her to visit her favorite place on earth :) haha.
I'm serving in a branch in Chardon. There's enough members to be a ward, but unfortunately, the activity rate is not so hot. We're working on that though, promise! It's a cute branch, filled with lots of older people, but I love it. Oh! by the way, the RS president and her husband know Grandma and Grandpa! They worked in the Chicago Temple together! Barbara and David Calandra. I love them SO much! They are absolutely wonderful people and one of my favorite couples in the ward! They love Grandma and Grandpa too. Brother Calandra told me about the time Grandpa told him a joke about heart attacks in the temple that made him laugh so hard he had to leave the session, and Sister Calandra said that Grandma is the "sweetest most wonderful woman I have ever met and she always looks like a million bucks!" That sounds a lot better in Sister Calandra's voice, but it was sweet.
So let's see...this week was a good week! We had NO time in our area this week. Monday we were at sites, Tuesday in our area, Wednesday-sites, Thursday was zone conference and today is p-day, and tomorrow we are at sites. so we only have one day in our area, but we made it work for us! In fact, we got 3 new investigators! And kind of four, because we have an appointment with another one on Tuesday, but it will be the first one so she's not technically an investigator. So that was good news!
I had a pretty interesting experience on Monday...we had a group of 585 boy scouts come to Kirtland. Yes, that is right. almost 600 12-18 boys. Holy cow. It was THIRTEEN Greyhound buses. And there were 14 sisters on that day, can you do that math? Yup. I had an entire bus all to myself haha. I had to do a tour of the Morley farm (which--like i said earlier--only senior couples do, so THAT was entertaining!) and then the buses rotated through all day between Sites, Johnson Farm, and the Kirtland Temple. I ended up leading four tours completely by myself. Sometimes we only had 30 minutes...I felt like we were running through everything! But I loved it. It was exhilerating and I loved the Scouts. It was a really great experience. When we were told it was 585 scouts, Sister Lee said "welcome to Kirtland in summer." haha. It gets me really excited for next summer when I will be here the whole time and get to do all kind of fun stuff that I missed out on by getting here a tad too late. It's gonna be fun :)
OH! I forgot something! all these scouts were here for the Boy Scout Jamboree and they were doing a very long trip out of it (they were all from Utah) seeing all kinds of fun things. But when I heard they were here, I realized that we had seen those scouts when we were flying out of the MTC to come to Kirtland! And then when they said they were on day 17 of an 18 day trip, all I could think was: I've only been here 17 days!? Yes. It's true. haha. Oh boy.
Well, that's about it for this week! Craig and Dad, I'm glad that you survived Trek! Sounds like quite the experience! Scott, oh my gosh. are you seriously going to college this next week!? Oh my gosh! Crazy. Enjoy your last few days at home! Eric, your letters make me laugh SO much. I read them to basically all the sisters. They may be more or less in love with you... Or they think we are weird because of our sense of humor. haha.
Love you all! Hope things are going well!
Love,
Sister Maughan
So when Mom asked what the set up of Kirtland is like, I realized that I haven't done a great job describing things! Sorry about that! Kirtland really consists of three spots: "sites" (or the main visitor center and historic village), Morley Farm and Johnson Farm. The two farms are only open May to October and only senior couples do tours of the Morley farm. The Johnson home is about 35 miles away from sites, and there are sisters there. In fact, my beloved Sister Hansen is there so I NEVER get to see her which breaks my heart! But we are convinced we will be companions later, so it's all good :)
So the majority of us work at sites. And I get to work with the sisters at some point of the week. The sisters that live in the Hyrum Smith home or the Boynton home (aka on site) -- they work half days every day of the week, but those of us who are at satellite sites and our proselyting area is farther away, we work half the week on sites, half the week in our area. Does that make sense?
But working at the village is where there is everything. The tour includes a 23 minute video called I Remember Kirtland, a stop on the Stoney Brook Bridge, then up to the N.K. Whitney Store (including the School of the Prophets), then over to the Whitney home, passing by the Johnson Inn, and over to the sawmill and ashery. There you go! An hour and a half tour summed up in one sentence! Of course, come to Kirtland and I'll share with you fun stories and all kinds of enjoyable things :) I love working sites. Of course, I like proselyting too...I guess I just like being a missionary! Tell Sis. Vanderwerken that I'm beginning to pray now to be sent to the Johnson home, because not a lot of people do and I would LOVE to spend a transfer or two working there!! And when I do, I'll expect her to visit her favorite place on earth :) haha.
I'm serving in a branch in Chardon. There's enough members to be a ward, but unfortunately, the activity rate is not so hot. We're working on that though, promise! It's a cute branch, filled with lots of older people, but I love it. Oh! by the way, the RS president and her husband know Grandma and Grandpa! They worked in the Chicago Temple together! Barbara and David Calandra. I love them SO much! They are absolutely wonderful people and one of my favorite couples in the ward! They love Grandma and Grandpa too. Brother Calandra told me about the time Grandpa told him a joke about heart attacks in the temple that made him laugh so hard he had to leave the session, and Sister Calandra said that Grandma is the "sweetest most wonderful woman I have ever met and she always looks like a million bucks!" That sounds a lot better in Sister Calandra's voice, but it was sweet.
So let's see...this week was a good week! We had NO time in our area this week. Monday we were at sites, Tuesday in our area, Wednesday-sites, Thursday was zone conference and today is p-day, and tomorrow we are at sites. so we only have one day in our area, but we made it work for us! In fact, we got 3 new investigators! And kind of four, because we have an appointment with another one on Tuesday, but it will be the first one so she's not technically an investigator. So that was good news!
I had a pretty interesting experience on Monday...we had a group of 585 boy scouts come to Kirtland. Yes, that is right. almost 600 12-18 boys. Holy cow. It was THIRTEEN Greyhound buses. And there were 14 sisters on that day, can you do that math? Yup. I had an entire bus all to myself haha. I had to do a tour of the Morley farm (which--like i said earlier--only senior couples do, so THAT was entertaining!) and then the buses rotated through all day between Sites, Johnson Farm, and the Kirtland Temple. I ended up leading four tours completely by myself. Sometimes we only had 30 minutes...I felt like we were running through everything! But I loved it. It was exhilerating and I loved the Scouts. It was a really great experience. When we were told it was 585 scouts, Sister Lee said "welcome to Kirtland in summer." haha. It gets me really excited for next summer when I will be here the whole time and get to do all kind of fun stuff that I missed out on by getting here a tad too late. It's gonna be fun :)
OH! I forgot something! all these scouts were here for the Boy Scout Jamboree and they were doing a very long trip out of it (they were all from Utah) seeing all kinds of fun things. But when I heard they were here, I realized that we had seen those scouts when we were flying out of the MTC to come to Kirtland! And then when they said they were on day 17 of an 18 day trip, all I could think was: I've only been here 17 days!? Yes. It's true. haha. Oh boy.
Well, that's about it for this week! Craig and Dad, I'm glad that you survived Trek! Sounds like quite the experience! Scott, oh my gosh. are you seriously going to college this next week!? Oh my gosh! Crazy. Enjoy your last few days at home! Eric, your letters make me laugh SO much. I read them to basically all the sisters. They may be more or less in love with you... Or they think we are weird because of our sense of humor. haha.
Love you all! Hope things are going well!
Love,
Sister Maughan
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Cracking Necks?!
I'll get to the subject line in a second, but first I want to tell you a funny story. Only it's really not funny at all. At least not to me. Since my last p-day, I have spent 3 days in the VC and 3 days in my area. Now, I have also had three guests come through Kirtland since my last p-day. Now, you would imagine, that there would a fairly high chance that I would see at least ONE of those people at sites, wouldn't you expect? WRONG! Everyday I went to sites there would be a note in my mailbox. The Andrew family was here on Friday. Aaron and April McMurray's sister Heidi and her family were here on Sunday. Herbert and Annie Nagamatsu were here on Tuesday...ALL days that I was in my area! It's really depressing. I may or may not have had to force back tears. Alas, life continues. (but real quickly, the Andrews left a message saying that they would probably be back either Monday the 9th or Tuesday the 10th. If you get a chance to talk to them, let them know that I'll only be here Monday, if I have any say in the matter haha). Oh well. Such is life.
On the bright side, I did meet Bob LaRochelle on Sunday! That was quite a surprise. Since I've gone to school at BYU and especially when I went to the MTC, everyone would ask me "do you know _____ Maughan?" usually from Cache Valley, or California, and several Idaho. In fact, while I was in the MTC I met 4 other Maughans, one was even in my zone. Point is, I'm used to that question, and I'm used to the answer being no. So when I walked into Branch Conference on Sunday and a man said, "Sister Maughan, where are you from?" and I answered New York, I was shocked to hear him say "Is James your father?". WHAT!?!?! Never thought I'd hear that one! But yeah, he talked about how he and dad had grown up together and how Grandpa was his scout leader and such. Pretty funny. Then he asked to take a picture of me and he'd send it home. Crazy, huh?! Small world, nice guy.
Life is going pretty well here. I've really enjoyed our area and sites. I have a new 'first' to tell you. On Tuesday night, I extended my first baptismal commitment! The sisters have been teaching her about 6 months and on Tuesday night, it just came out! We had to talk to her a bit, but she finally agreed! So hopefully that baptism will be September 11. There are a lot of issues with Aisha to work through, but we're optimistic. Here's hoping! I'll keep you updated!
I've also had some pretty amazing experiences with people on the phones, although I did talk to 5 crazy people yesterday! Literally, crazy. I even talked to an anti for 45 minutes. Only, he did most of the talking and I listened and tried to throw a few scriptures at him from time to time and then concluded by saying "Sir, I can tell that you really have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and that's wonderful. I do too, and I really respect you for your testimony. But this number is for people to call who are searching for truth and answers, and it seems like you have found yours, which I am glad. So I hope that you continue to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, and God bless you." That shut him up and I finally got to hang up. At least he stopped yelling. haha.
So...the subject line. Sister Lee has an addiction to cracking her neck. Which I HATE. It's so bad for you, and the noise makes me throw up in my mouth every time she does it. Which is probably 8-10 times a day. I've asked her to stop every time, and told her all the bad things that happen from doing it, but she kept saying she's been doing it since she was 14 and it helps her neck feel better. Well, time's up! On Monday morning in the shower she cracked her neck, and hurt it even worse! It bothered her all day while she was at sites, but she didn't call the MP's wife or the doctor until about 6 pm, when she was told that she has acute portocaulis and she needed to get into bed and heat it and stuff. We missed all Monday night (which was a BBQ with the Community of Christ) and all Tuesday while she was in bed. At least I got lots of study time in! I read the scriptures for about 8 hours haha. I read all the book of Mosiah, half of Matthew, 5 conference talks and even took a 40 minute nap on Tuesday. hahahaha. It's amazing what new insights you can get when you read lots at a time. But I'm glad that we are out working again.
It sounds like things are going good at home! Craig, I want to hear all about the Trek! Everyone who comes through Kirtland talks about their trek experience, and the stake here just did it. Of course, all I've heard about it from them was that "it was definitely quite an experience." haha.
Love you all! Hope things continue to go well at home! And tell friends to come on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday! haha :)
Love,
Sister Maughan
On the bright side, I did meet Bob LaRochelle on Sunday! That was quite a surprise. Since I've gone to school at BYU and especially when I went to the MTC, everyone would ask me "do you know _____ Maughan?" usually from Cache Valley, or California, and several Idaho. In fact, while I was in the MTC I met 4 other Maughans, one was even in my zone. Point is, I'm used to that question, and I'm used to the answer being no. So when I walked into Branch Conference on Sunday and a man said, "Sister Maughan, where are you from?" and I answered New York, I was shocked to hear him say "Is James your father?". WHAT!?!?! Never thought I'd hear that one! But yeah, he talked about how he and dad had grown up together and how Grandpa was his scout leader and such. Pretty funny. Then he asked to take a picture of me and he'd send it home. Crazy, huh?! Small world, nice guy.
Life is going pretty well here. I've really enjoyed our area and sites. I have a new 'first' to tell you. On Tuesday night, I extended my first baptismal commitment! The sisters have been teaching her about 6 months and on Tuesday night, it just came out! We had to talk to her a bit, but she finally agreed! So hopefully that baptism will be September 11. There are a lot of issues with Aisha to work through, but we're optimistic. Here's hoping! I'll keep you updated!
I've also had some pretty amazing experiences with people on the phones, although I did talk to 5 crazy people yesterday! Literally, crazy. I even talked to an anti for 45 minutes. Only, he did most of the talking and I listened and tried to throw a few scriptures at him from time to time and then concluded by saying "Sir, I can tell that you really have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and that's wonderful. I do too, and I really respect you for your testimony. But this number is for people to call who are searching for truth and answers, and it seems like you have found yours, which I am glad. So I hope that you continue to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, and God bless you." That shut him up and I finally got to hang up. At least he stopped yelling. haha.
So...the subject line. Sister Lee has an addiction to cracking her neck. Which I HATE. It's so bad for you, and the noise makes me throw up in my mouth every time she does it. Which is probably 8-10 times a day. I've asked her to stop every time, and told her all the bad things that happen from doing it, but she kept saying she's been doing it since she was 14 and it helps her neck feel better. Well, time's up! On Monday morning in the shower she cracked her neck, and hurt it even worse! It bothered her all day while she was at sites, but she didn't call the MP's wife or the doctor until about 6 pm, when she was told that she has acute portocaulis and she needed to get into bed and heat it and stuff. We missed all Monday night (which was a BBQ with the Community of Christ) and all Tuesday while she was in bed. At least I got lots of study time in! I read the scriptures for about 8 hours haha. I read all the book of Mosiah, half of Matthew, 5 conference talks and even took a 40 minute nap on Tuesday. hahahaha. It's amazing what new insights you can get when you read lots at a time. But I'm glad that we are out working again.
It sounds like things are going good at home! Craig, I want to hear all about the Trek! Everyone who comes through Kirtland talks about their trek experience, and the stake here just did it. Of course, all I've heard about it from them was that "it was definitely quite an experience." haha.
Love you all! Hope things continue to go well at home! And tell friends to come on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday! haha :)
Love,
Sister Maughan
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