Palm Trees and Pine Trees

​And there goes week one in Ocean Springs, Mississippi!!

Palm trees and Pine trees. Say what?!

What a week. I rode for a few hours in the van down to the Gulfport zone, but the ride wasn't so bad due to talking to new and old friends. Elder Eells was transferred to this same zone, so we talked a lot. It was great fun and time passed quickly. Plus, I got to talk to Elder Suapaia who is now Elder Eells' companion. But he is of some relation to Poli and knows the Kagie's! He said that Annette is one of the nicest ladies he's ever known and that he loved going over to their house and hanging out with Josh and Spencer. So it was really fun talking to him about home! Small world it is, my friends!

Elder Eells and I in the Back of the Transfer Van

Elder Suapaia and I representing the West Side, down here in the South

My new companion is Sister Thompson!! She's from Oregon, and we've already been having a blast together. We have an investigator, Desirae, who is going to be baptized here in a few weeks and we're super excited about her! The work here is going all right, and this next week should be a good one. It's been chilly here, and so it actually feels like November! (Well, today is warm. But whatever, we still know it's November, right?) 

Now let me tell you the story of a girl and her bike. I was doing great in Clinton at avoiding riding that hunk of metal and I thought that I could do the same thing here in my new area. But that simply will not work, and so on the bike I got! And I hate it. Absolutely hate it. I haven't ridden a bike since I fell off of my bike last year and luckily I haven't been close to falling yet, but I just really hate that bike. I have never, ever been so darn excited to get the car back. And I'm even driving! (Which if you know me, you know I hate driving too. But it's a million, bajillion times better than biking). And that's the story of my first bike week. And how Sister Thompson is a nice, nice soul who has let us walk a lot.

Bikes. Don't let the Smile Fool You.

Yesterday, church was awesome! I got the chance to share my testimony with the ward and introduce myself a little. Then we had a return missionary speak, and then a member of the high council. They both talked about repentance and having a desire to change and build up from our past. The high councilor (Brother Blackhurst) talked about how Jesus Christ knows all of the facts of our lives. The nitty, gritty details. The sins, the mistakes, and the short-comings. But He also sees who we are and who we've become because of our past. He knows how we've changed and improved ourselves. And this is why He is our judge. Because justice demands to be served, but mercy can be extended. It was a super powerful talk and I honestly have just been overcome with gratitude for a Savior who knows me so well. I'm so grateful for Him and the Atonement. And also for His love and mercy towards us. Because boy am I far from a perfect missionary, but I sure have already changed a lot. 

Missions are the best! And I'm excited to be in Ocean Springs! I already love it here :) 

Love y'all! And I testify that the Savior loves and knows each of you. Please never forget it.