I'm Not Nearly as Cool Anymore...

Mi Familia!

Big surprises at transfers this past week! I mentioned that I knew who my companion was going to be because she was told that she was getting transferred out of the zone but would still be going to Kirtland.There is only one area left that fills that category: Ravenna! Turns out though, there were last minute changes. That sister ended up actually staying in Kirtland zone and my new companion was told she was being transferred a day later than everyone else. Definitely some last minute changes. I wonder why. Sooo...wanna know who my new companion is? Drum roll please. ::drum rolllllllll:: SISTER KATIE DEVENPORT! Which probably means nothing to you at the moment. haha. Sister Devenport was ALSO in the MTC with me. Let me recap for you. That means that only for one transfer have I had a companion who is older than me in the mission, and that was my trainer. It also means that of the 9 sisters that came out to the mission with me, I have now been companions with FOUR of them! Holy schnikes! It's definitely a record. I don't know what it is about me haha. But I love Sis. Devenport so much! We are having an amazing time together, and we're doing lots of good work, already. Let me tell you about her: She studied at BYU for 2 1/2 years and is studying civil engineering. She comes from a large family with 12 kids, 5 of which are adopted. Four of them were just adopted in December and are Native Alaskans, which makes sense because she is from Alaska. Sigh. Being from New York is not nearly as cool anymore. Let me give you an idea of our conversations nowadays:

 

Ohioan: Where are you from Sister Maughan?

SM: New York

Ohioan: Whoa! That's way cool!....Wait, you're not far from home, are you?!

SM: sigh....No.... (thanks for the reminder)

Ohioan: Well neat. Sister Devenport where are you from?

SD: (in Alaskan accent) Alaska

Ohioan: (eyes bulge out of sockets) WHOA!! ALASKA!!! THAT'S AWESOME! Do you know Sarah Palin? Do you have polar bears for pets? Guess this snow doesn't bother you?! Wait, does that mean we actually have TWO missionaries not from Utah?!

 

I love my life. haha. I hate Sarah Palin jokes though. haha. Just saying. But seriously, we are having an amazing time. I love that girl and even though I didn't even know she was a possibility for a companion, I'm so glad things have worked out that way. Oh also, Dad, she has the same birthday as you which is pretty cool. It also means that since I have been on a mission, I have had every single one of my companions on their birthday. 4 for 4. crazy.

 

So I got to see some miracles this week. Small ones, but tender mercies nonetheless. Dad sent me a letter telling me that Scott and Eric played at Chelsea Mair's wedding reception (she got married?!) and sent a picture of them. I was thinking about you, Scott, and how much I love playing the Pachabel meets U2 duet with you on the cello and so I was wishing that I could play it or hear it. And then, while I was reading Dad's awesome letter up in my room (did I mention how much I love your letters Dad?!), I heard my companion start to play that exact song downstairs on the piano! She had found the music and starting playing it without even knowing the significance of it! That was really neat. It's only the piano version though, so it combines the piano and cello parts so it just makes me think of my family :) Just a sweet tender mercy.

 

Another miracle from the week: Yesterday we had a lesson with Tabitha, a 16 year old girl who has been meeting with missionaries for a year. She goes to seminary every morning and goes to church every Sunday but still is not positive if it is completely true. So while we were meeting with her, I really felt inspired to promise her some awesome blessings. President Sorensen spoke to the youth in our ward last night and I promised her that if she would find a way to come to the fireside, that she would have a personal life changing experience and something would touch her and change her life forever and help her gain a testimony and know this is truth. It's kinda nerve-racking to make those kinds of promises, but amazing to know that as a missionary I have that power, authority and right to promise those blessings. Well, she showed up last night. The fireside was question and answer, and the questions were written by the youth last week and sent to Pres. Sorensen. One of the questions was "What if I don't have a testimony?". Bingo! President Sorensen opened up the Book of Mormon and asked for a volunteer to read some things--the only time the whole night that he did that. He said "Who would like to read for me? How about a sister....(no one raised their hands) What about you? What's your name?" It was Tabi :) He had her read from the intro and then bore powerful testimony. It's really hard to describe in words what happened, but I can tell you it was life changing. Afterwards, he talked with Tabi personally. I don't know what her thought was about the whole thing, and if she recognized that this was fulfilling what I had promised her, but I'll follow up and let you know what happens!

 

Well sorry this email is so long, there is just so much to say! But needless to say it's been a good week. I love being a missionary, I love Ravenna, and I love Ohio! Love you all, too! :)

 

Love, Sister Maughan