Week 31, March 7, 2016

What's up? My name Bon qui qui, I'll be your flight attendant.

I learned a comedy sketch from my companion, Hna. Woodhouse and it popped into my head so that's how I got the introduction. =) It's a pretty funny sketch, I'd recommend that you watch it.

Oh! By way of announcement, I have been out on my mission for 7 months now. March 5th was the mark, and how is it significant? It's not =) 

But what IS significant is that my sister Sarah was baptized this past Saturday. I am so proud and happy for her that she has made this choice to enter into the covenant of baptism. I know I've already talked about baptism, so I won't get into it too much. She is such a good example to me of how to have faith. We are truly to become like children, which means that we do what's right because we believe it's right. Children are the best example of what faith is and how to act on it. Why else would Christ ask us to become like them? Thank you Sarah for blessing our family with your spirit and example!

This past week was transfers! On Monday night last week, we received calls from our district leaders informing us where we'll be heading and with whom we'll be with. I was told that I'll be staying in my area, Ogden, and that I'll be co-training with Hna. Woodhouse. I was super surprised to learn that 1) I'd be co-training (because I thought I'd be training by myself) and 2) that Hna. Woodhouse would be staying. She started her mission in this area and she is still here, which is unusual. The longest a sister has stayed in one area, for this mission at least, is 5 transfers so roughly 7 1/2 months. I'm actually really excited to continue serving with her because I have felt since the MTC that we'll serve together. She's a great example to me of empathy and I hope to learn how to express my love for others like her. 

I also love my other companion, Hna. Kang. She is from the suburbs of Houston, specifically Magnolia! (Go Houstonians!) and she has 3 siblings. She is 20, a little older than Hna. Woodhouse, so I continue to be the youngest. She studied at UT Austin in general studies but when she goes back she wants to specialize in nutrition. She plans to use that degree to become a dietitian and then helping people with diabetes. She's super cool, super smart, and really strong spiritually. I love watching her grow; for example, she has had only 6 weeks with Spanish and Sunday she bore her testimony in front of the whole ward. I was so happy for her and her Spanish was sooooo good! Let me share with you what I wrote yesterday after watching her bare her testimony. 

"A mission is preparation for the rest of our lives. Part of this experience prepares us for parenthood. For example, we get to help others grow as we serve with our companion. A parent's primary responsibility is to teach their children of Christ; what else do missionaries do? I have also been able to see a glimpse of my future motherhood as I welcomed my trainee back into our pew after she shared her testimony. I didn't teach what she knows, but I am responsible for her growth as a missionary for this time. 

As I congratulated her and assured her that she did good, I realized that I will do this as a mother. I will have taught my children who Christ is and one day they'll go up to the stand to share their testimony. When they'll come back, they'll want to know that they've done well and I'll hug them and tell them that they did. 

This is how our Heavenly Father feels, to a degree. He has sent us here to learn and when we pray to Him and tell Him about our day, He lovingly hugs us and tells us well done. He loves us and is soooo happy to see us grow. I've been blessed to feel a part of that and I will again in the future. How great is the calling of a parent!"

I love Hna. Kang, and while I'm nervous to train, I'm so grateful that she is part of my mission experience. She's going to change me even if she doesn't realize it. Now, I kinda understand Hna. Lewis's feelings when she was training me. Hna. Lewis made such a great impact on my life, my hope is that I can have a similar one for Hna. Kang. That may be a bit prideful, but it's helping me by pushing me to be better and develop the talents I have to serve Hna. Kang and Hna. Woodhouse. How do you become Christ like? You start by serving others, and then you pray..... A LOT. 

Okay, besides transfers and training, this week has been filled with a lot of finding people to teach. To do that, we tracted a lot, which I LOVE because I get to talk to a lot of different people. But, even though I love it, it's not the best way to find people. As such, this coming week we are going to try different finding activities. For example, this coming Saturday, we are going to play soccer in a local park because Hispanics LOVE soccer. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm terrible at running so soccer is kinda hard for me, but I love this people and I'm willing to learn how to play. I promise pictures next week =) 

We are also planning on starting volleyball and having tacos at the same time. I'm super excited for that! Who doesn't love food? And the other major idea we had was to have a ward talent show because we want to get as many activities going for members to invite their friends to. My thoughts are why not have fun while finding people? Haha, okay, I'll let you all know how it goes next week.

I hope you're doing well! I love you, be good, and remember who you are! 

Love,

Hermana Lindh