Baby Steps

Yesterday we were trying to teach a few new investigators, but we didn't get in with anyone and we were really down about it.  There is this family we tracted into a few weeks back, but everytime we go back they do not want to see us.  They are very intimidating and Sister Jones didn't want to knock on the door so we didn't, but as the night went on I kept feeling like we should go back.  I couldn't tell if it was really the spirit nudging me or not.  Finally I just said let's go try it, we have nothing else to do.  We knocked on the door and we were shut completely down, ha ha. We decide to knock on the door next to them just because we had no where else to go.  This young single mother opened the door.  She let us in.  Her name is Rachel.  We mostly just listened to her.  She has had it very rough and has an autistic (is that how you spell it?) son who has ADHD as well.  She is very sweet though and we got to share an uplifting scripture.  She said we could come back on Thursday and gave us her number so she could be a great potential.  She is afriad to bring her son to church because he could have a behavior problem and possibly hurt someone.  I hope we can help her and her son come to church.  I know that God prompted me to go back there.  I am glad we decided to listen.

Also do you remember Violet? She is the awesome lady that thinks she is black ha ha.  She moves this week, which is a bummer, but this past week we went and visited her and I felt like I needed to be bold with her. Our mission president sent out a letter telling us to be bold and tell people what they need to do in a loving way.  So I did just that.  I told her she needed to come to church.  I tried to do it in a loving way and after we left I honestly didn't know if I had gotten to her.  Sister Jones kind of let me take the reins on that one so I didn't feel like she was sure of my decision to be bold.  Violet has a lot of physical pains that don't allow her to do much, so sitting in church is painful for her.  I started to feel guilty for what I said...but Sunday morning, Violet came to church!!! She hasn't come in so long.  It was such an answer to my prayers.  I knew that Heavenly Father had my back on that one!! And being bold worked.  She came and partook of the sacrament.

Baptism

 The baptism was Saturday night.  I will send you a picture. It was such a great experience.  Even though I didn't really teach her much, I got to be a part of something really special.  Most of the Branch members attended as well and I think it really helped Deb to feel part of the ward family.  She was so so nervous, but when she came out of the water...Wow I had never seen her smile like that. She is a very "to herself" kind of person and has a lot of walls up, but when she came out of the water, you could just see it on her face.  I also really enjoyed that evening because I finally feel like I am getting to know the Branch. 

First Week - March 11, 2013

I have been anxious all week to get to write you.  It was so nice to receive your letter and then an email today.  The first week has been hard.  A mission is nothing like I had expected it to be.  I guess I had expected more of a go go go schedule, teaching a lot, and all that.  But we don't really have investigators.  A few potenials, but that is about it.  We visit a lot of less actives out here, because there are a lot.  The church here isn't even a ward because it is so small.  It is called a branch.  But it is in town, so not a far drive.  Sunday was a little strange. Sacrament felt empty. In sunday school there was seven of us, including the speaker and the missionaries, and relief society had maybe, nine people.  It is so small, everyone has like three or more callings in the church.  I guess I expected the work to be going and I would just jump in with it.  I think the hardest thing is just knowing what to do and where to go.  Sometimes after appointments fall through we don't know what to do.  We've done some tracting and we did get into one house that we hope to be a potenial, but besides that, no luck really. 

I Made It!

At the mission home with President and Sister Anderson

My new companion - Sister Jones

When I first arrived in Minnesota with the sisters on the transfer train

 

I made it to South Dakota.  Landed yesterday and stayed the night at the mission home.  I just got to Pipestone, Minnesota a few hours ago.  I already ate dinner at a members home and shared a short message.  We have a few more places to go tonight.  My companion is Sister Jones.  She is from Highland Utah and has only been out here for five weeks.  So we are both pretty new.  She seems very outgoing and confident, which is great.  I think we will get along well.  Its been a long day in the car and now doing  things that are completely new and out of my comfort zone, but i'm excited.  

MTC pics

Sister Dallon - my MTC companion

My District

First email

Family!!

I have so much to say! What a long week haha.  I love it here, but it is not easy.  I made it to Monday though.  Sunday was good.  I've never had church at 7:30 before in my entire life.  You thought 9 church was bad...you thought wrong.  We had a wonderful devotional that really gave me a boost.  Stephen B. Allen spoke and talked about the ups and downs of the missionary.  He was funny and serious.  He showed us how everyone was struggling with the same things.  It was a great ending to the day. 

MTC Drop-off

            

Family pose - inside joke!

We left spaces for Sam and Katie, Garrett and Brooke and Jill 

who couldn't come to the MTC, but said 

 their "good-byes" earlier!

 Amy is "pumped" for me!