This morning, Sister Webb called me and I answered the phone like that and she almost died she was laughing so hard. Not because I said I was an elder, but because I sounded like one! I've caught some sort of bronchitis-type virus and so I sound like a man, and have a nasty cough and sore throat and a constant headache. Ugh. We're going on almost a week now of being sick so hopefully I'm nearing the end...? I think so.
Well this has been an eventful week so I'll try and fit it all in one email! First of all, I am staying in Mayfield. Sister Mayer is not though. She thought she was staying, but apparently not. I think she's excited. She's been here for 6 months so it's time to leave her greenie area. I have no idea who is coming to me, but I'll be sure to let you know. But for the last week of the transfer, it was PACKED with events! Last Monday we had a BBQ with the Community of Christ. It's an annual thing. It was really fun to be with them. We had great food, played some volleyball, and all sang around a guitar. Plus, we wore PANTS! I know...in public. It was weird. Then continuing with the week of community events, this was the week of the Strawberry Festival! It reminds me of the Salem Fair. It was fun to be in a carnival setting, though it was weird to really be immersed in life outside the mission. We went to the festival twice, once to volunteer in the strawberry booth and once to sing a collection of songs all together as sisters. We sang some primary songs and some hymns. I was supposed to sing "My Country Tis of Thee" as a solo but had NO voice that day, so thanks to Sister Debenham for singing for me haha. The last song we sang was "I am a Child of God". Before we started, we whispered among the sisters to pray that everyone will feel the Spirit. It was so interesting as we started to sing to look out at the people--even those just walking by. Most just stopped and listened intently. It was amazing to see that answer to our prayers. :)
I got some really sad news this week too. Wednesday morning as I was getting ready for the day, I was putting on a ring that Kate O'Brien from Chardon had given me when I left. Do you remember me talking about her? We were really close, and we taught her each week. As I put on the ring, I was thinking about what an awesome time we had together, and the plans we had to hang out after my mission, and so I wrote a note to myself that I had to write her again this coming week. While at Kirtland that day, the Chardon sisters got a phone call. Kate suddenly passed away that morning. She was only 30. They don't even know how it happened. The Chardon sisters helped to clean up her apartment and they brought me a collection of things that Kate had on her dresser from me. There were pictures of the two of us, and post it notes that I had hidden in her apartment almost a year ago. It broke my heart, but I am so touched as well. It just made me so grateful to know what happens after this life, and that there is a far better life if we do the things we know that we should do. I never got to really say goodbye to Kate, but I have no doubt that I will get to see her after this life, and it will be a very joyful reunion. That's what is giving me the peace I need.
We didn't get a lot of time in our area this week, but we did have an awesome lesson with Kiesha this week. Her birthday was Saturday and so we threw her a birthday party/lesson on Friday. It was the first time anyone had ever given her a birthday party or made her a cake. How sad is that? She had lots of fun. It turns out, she is probably not going to Alabama this summer, which is a huge relief to us, although she brought up some of her concerns about baptism. I was grateful she did that, though. She wants so badly to be baptized, and she is taking it very seriously and so she wants to make sure everything is right within her before she takes that step. We appreciate her being so honest and so mature about this. She gets it :) It's a beautiful sight.
Well, I'll attach some pictures, but I think I've packed this letter enough as is. Love you all so much! Miss you too, but time is going so fast. This week marks one year as a missionary. I'm not sure how this happened so fast...yikes! Have a good week!
Love,
Sister/Elder Maughan
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