-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
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