Well, I'm not quite sure how we got to this point, but we're here. I am officially halfway through my mission. I dunno how on earth that happened. I still feel like I am a baby in the mission, but of the 30 sisters here in Kirtland, after this transfer there are only 5 sisters older than me in the mission. That's kinda scary haha. But you know me, I'm all about remembering dates and weird facts and such, so it's also interesting that a year ago this week my mission papers were FINALLY submitted. Well, for the first time haha. I never even imagined then that in a year I would be halfway done with something I have been planning to do for so long...
BUT, since I still have a TON of time left of the mission, let me tell you about it! For starters, I am REALLY tired today! Everyone is! Not only did we lose an hour of sleep on Sunday (stupid daylight savings--worst day of the year. No offense Craig haha), but this morning we had to be out of bed by 4:45 AM so that we could be at the John Johnson Farm by 6:45 for training meeting! It was really neat to take a tour of it! It kind of made my heart hurt though, because EVERYONE wants to be able to serve at the Johnson farm, but there's only two areas that are assigned to it, and one of those is Ravenna--been there done that! Oh well. At the rate that I am getting transferred, maybe I have a better chance than I thought to serve at the farm! haha. Better start praying now ;) It was really great though. There is a very powerful spirit in the Johnson home, especially in the room where Joseph Smith was dragged out of bed and tarred and feathered, and also in the Revelation Room, where Doctrine and Covenants 76 was received (and 15 others). The spirit just kind of feels magnified in the home...It's fantastic. Thankfully we took the tour on p-day though, so we can try and get some rest! My companions have already taken a 3 hour nap today haha. I wrote letters instead. Be proud :)
One of the many things I love about Kirtland is the tours that we get to take that are all different, and all so interesting. You meet the most interesting people. For instance, last night we took a woman on tour whose name was Gwen. At least her American name was Gwen, but she is Muslim. She came to Kirtland because she had been driving by several times and had been drawn to this place, but was afraid to come in because she didn't think we would want to talk to her because she was Muslim...!! Wrong! She actually has a very fascinating background. She was born Amish, become a devout fundamentalist Christian at the age of 27, and then became Muslim! Who'd have thought that!? She had lots of questions and we were able to talk with her a lot--in fact, she was there 3 hours, and we didn't even finish half the tour! We had to cut it short because we were closing. We had a really great time exchanging belief and learning more about her religion. In fact, we learned that Islam (at least her sect) believes in Jesus Christ--not that He is the Savior of the world or the Son of God--but that He is a significant prophet who did exist, who will stand at the right hand of God, and who will come again to save us, but that Christ was not crucified. Instead, there was deception and it was actually Judas Iscariot who was crucified. Interesting, eh? Never heard that before. We were able to bear testimony about Christ being our Savior and about the Atonement and she actually self-referred and asked for missionaries to bring her a Book of Mormon! It was really neat. Hopefully something good will come of it.
Other than that, unfortunately I don't feel like I have a whole lot to share. But I hope things are going good for everyone! I hope the birthdays went well for the boys, and Scott, does this mean your mission papers are officially submitted now?! So so SO cool. (Cleveland! Cleveland! Cleveland!)
Love you all so much!
Sister Maughan
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