I got the pictures of the lake. It looks like a blast. When Alayna and I get back from our missions can we do another lake trip with the Eens?? It looks like a blast!!
Well this week was cool!!
Sister Jian had a meeting at the mission home with a lot of missionaries going home in the next 5 months. It was kinda sprung on us and we had appointments where it was the only time these people could meet. So I begged the zone leaders if the other sister, whose companion was going to the meeting could come to Gloucester so we could work. It was a confusing process working it out. We woke up at 4 to train to Worcester at 6, got off at the wrong stop and had to walk through Worcester to the other train station in the rain haha. It was so cold! But then I got Sister Filoso for the day. We waited at the train station for two hours after our comps left, waiting for our train back to Gloucester. We started chatting and she is so much fun. It's her first transfer and she went to BYU Idaho so we had some similar things to talk about. We got to teach Isi and it went really
well. Hannah Maughan came with us. It kinda felt like I was working with two fresh missionaries since Hannah is a pre-miss. Isi made us Fijian pancakes and they were so good!! Then we went to a less active appointment and chatted for a bit while our toes defrosted. Then we went back to Worcester to meet our companions. Sister Filoso said she loved Gloucester and was so grateful for the experience. It was cool. Glad I could help haha.
Sister Jian and I came back and noticed our helmets were on the ground in the bike shed.... Our bikes were gone. Someone stole them while I was gone for those two hours.... I was upset for a long time! It bugged me! But a miracle! An American couple in the next ward was about to sell
their bikes in the next month before they go back to America and gave them to us for free. One was good but the other was rusty. Gary had one that was perfect size for me and after we tried out the first two and realized that the rusty one wouldn't work, Gary brought over his. It's nice!! A huge blessing!!
Thursday, we had district meeting and a birthday party for Elder Hodge. I made a punchbowl full of chicken fried rice for the 6 of us, a box of spring rolls, 4 baguettes, and 2 pizzas the size of the frozen ones you get from Costco. And I made a chocolate pudding triffle! Elder Tupou wanted chocolate ice cream, too. We finished everything except the baguettes and the triffle, but there wasn't a lot left haha. All the elders were stuffed!! Job well done ;) We have plenty of pictures from that :).
We ran into investigators all around Gloucester this week. Huge blessing!! Yesterday. We got to teach the lesson in RS. It was really good, I got to lead the music in sacrament meeting and said the closing prayer and bore my testimony haha. I didn't mention anything about maybe leaving but others brought it up, I had something for Mitchell Craven to pass on to Craig in the Spain MTC and that started the tears, I think it hit me that I won't see him for 3 years.... And then a member of our ward is in the mission presidency and is almost positive that I am leaving on Wednesday, I got to say goodbye to a lot, but tears came again....Why am I such a baby?? It's all Craig's fault haha but I've really made some good friends. So many members were asking if we would have time to come eat before I leave, Jodie and Sister Garland cried. The bishopric were so kind and grateful for all I did here. I am at peace with all that I have done, especially seeing Andy and Belynda together and happy!! So excited for their sealing next year!! We went to Gary and Sue's for dinner after church. Sister Jian wasn't feeling well and needed time to rest. We had a great time!!
It was a great week. We have awesome people we are working with. New investigators that are so
prepared for the gospel. The two Vickys, Layo, Isi. All of them are so solid. Plus Andy brought his son Kearon to church and Kearon realized that a lot of his friends are members and he wants to go to youth events and everything.... If I leave on Wednesday, I feel like I worked hard here. So grateful I could serve here!!
The gospel is so true!! And I am so grateful I came on a mission. There is nothing that could replace the experiences I'm going through.
I love you all and thanks for all the prayers!!
Sister Ash