On Tuesday, I had my first exchanges, and so I got to spend the day with Sister Harrison! She wrote me a card before I even got to the mission, was at the airport to pick me up, and now she's my STL! She's probably one of the sweetest, most genuine people I know. She's a great missionary and works hard, so the day was great! We taught a few lessons, did some tracting, and went to the food network. At the food network, I did the juice...and oh boy, my arm was sore for two days after! It was tough! But it sure felt good! Sister Harrison is going home next week though, so I'm glad I got to be her companion for a day and get to know her a little better.
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| With Sister Harrison |
Oh yeah! And on our way home from the food network, we stopped to get gas and evidently chose the wrong gas station...there was no gas. So Sister Bartsch and Sister Harrison went inside to inquire after the matter and basically all of the windows are barred and the guy inside was behind thick bullet-proof glass...so we left, and as we pulled out a lady stopped us and said, "This is not the place for you girls to be!"....we had kind of figured that much out at that point...but it was nice of her to be concerned! So note to all: Buy your gas in Clinton, not Jackson. And make sure there aren't bars over the windows of the gas station.
Wednesday was district meeting! I just really like those days.
Thursday was probably my favorite day of the mission so far!! We went to the food network and it ended up only being us, our Clinton elders and the Vicksburg elders there to volunteer with the convicts. Instead of filling boxes, we were making them. So we turned it into a contest and not to gloat or anything, but Sister Bartsch and I kicked trash. We make a dang good taping and folding team!! Actually, I'm good at folding and she's good at taping. But we were on fire! The convicts ended up joining our contest and we added putting the papers in the box and stacking them. And guess what team won?? Yeah, we did. It was so much fun! Although, I got pretty bruised from box folding.
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| Taking One for the Team |
Afterwards, we finally got to get the convicts together for some pictures! Haha, they are so funny! Miss O.G. (not her real name, it stands for Original Gangster) is going home next week!! We just love her a lot. She's tough and a good worker. And we're going to miss her, but we're excited for her!
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| With Miss O.G. |
We also got to talk to another convict about some of her struggles, and she asked us for help. She said she wants to read the Book of Mormon, but we aren't allowed to give them out there so she asked us to all pray for her. So we've all been praying that somehow she'll get to learn more about the gospel and that she will be better able to control her emotions like she's been trying to do.
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| Fun at the Mississippi Food Network |
After the food network, we went to the awards banquet for the special needs group we volunteer with. I'm so sad that's over! But they are too dang sweet, and I just love our group picture!
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| Awards Banquet |
That night we also contacted a referral we got out tracting and much to our surprise the man who opened the door was happy to see us and let us right in! We were shocked, but long story short he's a Pentecostal Minister but he and his wife really like a lot of things about our church. They invited us to their Bible study, but we had the awards banquet. So anyway, now we're teaching their Bible study this Thursday night! Are we scared? Maybe just a little bit. But are we excited?? You better believe it!
He promised there would be no hooting or hollering though, so that's good! He said we better be careful because he might just make Pentecostal's out of us... to which I replied that HE better be careful, because we might make Mormons out of them ;)
Friday night, we made more corn bread!! And it turned out even more perfect than before!
Saturday we sang at the Visitors Center again! Our good friend, Wilson, from the band brought us okra from his garden! Okra is slimy and weird. But Sister Bartsch fried me some, and it's less slimy and actually quite good!
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| Fried Okra |
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| Visitor's Center |
Church yesterday was great! This ward has some pretty solid testimony meetings! We went like 15 minutes over, and there was never a dead spot. It was crazy! The spirit was SUPER strong as everyone seemed to bear testimony of eternal families, and the importance of temples. I so badly want a temple here!! I miss the temple a lot, but I'm glad I can help in working towards a temple in Mississippi.
Sunday night was also Zach's baptism! He's the son of the less-active family we visit. His dad was able to baptize him, and Zach was just bouncing off the walls with excitement! I loved watching the font fill, and reflecting on my own baptism and the covenants I've made. Boy, I sure have grown and changed a lot since then. But I was grateful for the reminder of those changes and the blessings that come from being a member of this church.
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| Zach's Baptism |
Love you all, and may we each remember those special promises we have made.
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