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