What a week! So, I wasn't very clear last week, which I'm sorry about,
but we had transfers this past Wednesday. I have left Washington Terrace
and now I'm serving in Buenaventura again! I left Hna. We Repa, and she
gained Hna. Pecjak, and they are going to do a great job serving that
ward. I do miss the members and investigators I left, but I'm so excited
to serve with Buenaventura again and to meet more people. It's a weird
feeling returning to an area you already served in, but I know the Lord
has people for me to meet and work with and that this is the right area
for me at this time. I am serving with an Hermana called Hna. Miranda.
She was trained by Hna. Felix and this is her third transfer here in
this mission (she served a transfer in her home mission) so I am greenie
busting my granddaughter!
-Quick explanation: when you are called as
a trainer, your job is to show as much by example as by word what it
means to be a good missionary. Trainees are new missionaries who are,
usually, in their first two transfers (3 months) of their missions. Your
third transfer you are called a greenie and the companion you have, who
is usually different than your trainer, is your "greenie buster". Also,
when you train, it is kinda like a parent-child relationship so the
trainers are called the moms or dads and the trainees are called the
daughters or sons. I trained Hna. Felix when she first came to this
mission and then she trained Hna. Miranda, so Hna. Miranda is my
granddaughter!-
Anyways, I am serving with Hna. Miranda and it's
amazing. We have been working hard in this past few days and I know
we'll continue working hard because that is part of her character. She
works hard and preserves even when it's hard. She also has a beautiful
testimony that she loves to share with everyone and she's very confidant
in what she knows to be true. I really love her and I'm so grateful for
her example to me of what a missionary should be. My mission has given
me the chance to meet so many amazing people, each in their own way.
Hna. Lewis
was an amazing trainer for me. She was diligent, obedient, and funny.
She helped me feel loved and welcomed in this mission, but also helped
me know what a hard working missionary looks like. I knew that every day
we would be doing something productive and that we would help people,
but still have fun.
Hna. Pecjak taught me the importance of
good communication and using our talents to bless others. She wasn't shy
in sharing her testimony with others through speech, act, or song.
While she may not believe she's a great communicator, she taught me the
importance of listening more to how things are being said rather than
the exact words, and to listen to our feelings too.
Hna. DeMaio
and I only served 3 weeks together, but we also lived in the same
apartment for 6 weeks this past transfer, so I have learned a lot from
her. We can all gain more light if we choose to accept the Light of the
World, the Son (sun), into our daily lives. She also helped me see that
people are more than what they show; who we really are is sometimes hard
to see but that as we strive to see each other as the sons and
daughters of God that we are, we'll see more light than darkness.
Hna. Woodhouse
has taught me soooo much! When we first met, to be frank it was hard
because we are stubborn and approach situations/problems in different
ways. That said, she is honestly one of my best friends ever, my sister,
and I know I can always turn to her. So I have learned that even if we
have rough beginnings, we can always have happy endings if we choose to
make them that way. She has also shown me what it means to break
gracefully; when we are being humbled, we can either do it resentfully
or with faith, and she always goes with the latter.
Hna. Playstead
and I only had 3 weeks together, but what I learned from her is
invaluable. Even when we feel too broken to carry on, as we rely on
Christ, He helps us have a beautiful journey. We can help others even if
we are not perfect ourselves. Heavenly Father truly makes weak things
become strong. Now, Hna. Playstead is not weak in any way, (just ask for
her opinions about certain topics, you'll see what I mean :) ) but
that's what I learned from her. Choosing to be happy on the outside
doesn't always make you happy on the inside, but it makes it a little
bit more manageable.
Hna. Kang taught me a whole new depth of
emotion. She was my first daughter in the mission, and though I was only
with her for 3 1/2 weeks, She changed me. I learned, really fast, that
some people do not talk and that it takes some hard work to hear them.
She taught me that there's a deeper love than just friendship (though
that can be really strong too) and that this love is won by hard work
and sacrifice. By her example, I learned how deep the Atonement really
covers and heals. Hna. Kang is amazing and she changed so many people.
Hna. Felix
is such a hard working, faithful woman! She believes in exact obedience
and it's because she has such faith that she knows why she's obedient.
She's a very cheerful person who loves people easily. It was such a
pleasure to serve with her for 3 weeks and she's helping a lot of
people.
Hna. Miranda, my current companion, is really funny!
She loves to play and joke around with others, but she's also a hard
worker. She doesn't stop working until we have to and she's always
sharing her testimony. I have learned that sometimes we put limitations
on ourselves that limit our growth or ability and Hna. Miranda is
helping me see last limits I placed on myself.
While
this past week has been a bit draining, I have had a great time so far.
On Monday, the Sisters DeMaio and Afemata, Hna. Wi Repa, myself, and the
Nehrings, we all had a family home evening together. We spoke about the
importance of choosing to be happy, loving others, and sharing with
them what is great about them. We then learned about transfers, which
was stressful, and then called it a night. It was stressful because we
learned of a few missionaries moving that was very sad for me, but
that's what the mission and really life is all about, change. So, it's
happened, life is good and we keep moving forward.
Tuesday was for saying goodbye, which was hard, but it's all good because I know I'll see these people again.
Wednesday
I moved into my old apartment and we got to work! Since then we've been
trying to teach potential investigators, find new people, and help
people progress. On Saturday, we had a baptism in the ward, a young man
who was taught by a couple of missionaries and was finally ready for
this step in the gospel. It was amazing and right afterwards, Hna.
Miranda and I went to Washington Terrace for a man I know being
baptized. It was so amazing to see this friend of mine, and his family,
so happy. The Spirit was really strong at both baptisms and it confirmed
again to me that what I'm doing is right.
Yesterday was good
and today is still happening, so I'll let you know how I am in another
week! I hope that I'll be a bit lighter then because with how much we
bike, I expect to loose a few pounds (which is a good thing, I only have
a few months left to loose what I've gained =) ). Here's to hoping!
I
love you all and I hope that you have a great week! I'll get some
pictures going next week; the first week of transfers tends to be a bit
busy so not many pictures were taken. Remember who you are and be good!
Love,
Hermana Lindh