This is R.E.A.Life: CDSM Transfer 13

Week 1

Trio. Tripanionship. The three of us. Yep. Whatever you want to call it...it's been weird so far. One extra person in a companionship makes everything either three times easier or three times harder. Staying entertained is easier. Staying focused is harder. Cleaning goes faster. Planning goes slower. So on and so forth. Somehow, we have managed to all make it through the bathroom in a fairly timely manner in the morning for the most part. One of the other things that has tripled is our hunger. We don't know what hit us but as soon as we got together, we suddenly became insatiably hungry. And we've been like that ever since. Last night at dinner we kept apologizing for how much we were eating. I seriously don't think I've eaten this much food since I was 15 and still had the metabolism of a teenage boy.

I will not make the mistake of failing to introduce my companions like I did last time so here you go: Sister Wilson is is tall, brunette and has been out for 7 months. Sister Strickland is just shorter than me, is blonde and has been out for 8 months. Did you hear that? Both my companions have been out for over 6 months! I've only had one other companion that's been out for over 6. It's kind of weird but nice too. Another fun fact: both of my companions have Disney princess names for their first names (you can play the guessing game and try to figure out what they are but I won't tell you). I feel left out but whatevs. One day they'll make a Disney princess with my name. But look, I already have a picture of us! Ha the sun was kind of bright.

So anyway, back to the beginning of the week with sister Anderson. We spent the last glorious hours together laughing our heads off as usual. And observing the miracle that self cleaning ovens are (seriously the closest thing the magic I've ever seen). She managed to be done packing around 11pm the night before transfers (which is better than I've ever done). We got up the next morning at 5:30 to get to transfers. I picked up sister Wilson and spent the day with her while we waited for sister Strickland to get here because she was over in Montrose. When the transfer train got in town, we went back to the mission office to pick her up. In total, we drove almost 50 miles that day because of the back and forth. To give you an idea of how extreme that is, we're only supposed to used about 13 a day. Sooo we've been walking a lot. To add the the exhaustion, we got to go to the temple the next day which meant getting up at 4:30 this time. It was wonderful but by the evening, we were actual zombies. We went to youth activities that night so I could introduce the new sisters to people and everyone looked at us and told us that we just needed to go home and go to sleep because we looked like we're were about to pass out. Because, well, we were.

Miracles happened yesterday after a week of walking around and not much happening. Jaden came to church and we set up our first appointment with him for this week. Then, Addy showed up to church. She is a woman who referred herself months back and the sisters were trying to get in contact with her and only talked to her on the phone once. We've been trying to get a hold of her since I got here with no luck. And then she just showed up to church yesterday! She's been dating a member and going to church with him and then he just moved into our ward this week so they're coming to our ward now. And she loves it! She says it's what she's been looking for. So basically were psyched about her. The update on Madison and her family is that they're out of town this week and we weren't able to meet with them. Sad day. We can't wait until Saturday to see them again.

And now for your trunkiness update: this week I was informed on how much social media has changed since I left. That was a scary moment of truth. I really haven't been in the world for the past year and a half. And I'm not sure I want to go back anymore...

Week 2

This week we found out that we are actually officially in a walking area. Everyone else in HR have at least double the mile allotment as us. Sooo this week was filled with more walking than ever before on my mission. Respect to missionaries who do it all the time. I've been blessed with the wonderful invention of a car this whole time. I have been running for 8 years now and have hiked for days at a time and I have never got a blister on my feet before. And after one full day of walking in dress shoes, I got one. It was gross.

On Monday night we got a text from a member to come over and meet the lady who helps to clean their house. We showed up and talked to her for awhile. Her interested level wasn't super great but she said she'd be willing to meet again so...who knows.

We had two lessons with Jaden this week and he is pumped for baptism. He was born a Buddhist and even went to Monk school so he gives us a lot of Buddhist wisdom and then soaks in all the knowledge that Christianity has to give. He has to work every day so meeting with him is hard but we make it happen. He even leaves work for an hour to go to church. His dedication is inspiring.

We taught Madison and her family this week. It wasn't anything amazing, especially because we're still trying to figure out how to teach with three people. But the next day while we were in Relief Society, Stephanie bore testimony on how she knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet and how that knowledge has impacted her as she has been encouraging and teaching her children about the gospel. I'm pretty sure the whole room was floored. We sure were. We didn't realize that she had such a strong testimony already.

Last night we had a lesson with a member family that has 9 kids, all under the age of 18. What do you do to keep them entertained and engaged? We read about the Armor of God in Ephesians and then told them all to go find "armor" in their house. The we sent older siblings to find the "fiery darts" to test the kids armor. All chaos broke loose. It was quite entertaining. One of the boys shield was quickly made out of a piece of dry wall that he hammered holes into for a handle. The parents assured us that it was a fun activity but...hopefully the kids don't get any more ideas. Anyway, there is your next idea for a Family Home Evening lesson.

In other (not so) fun news, we had to take sister Strickland to urgent care because she was going deaf in one ear and it was really starting to freak her out after a few days when it just got worse and worse. Turns out, it was just ear wax buildup. It was a funny adventure tho. All the doctors there were probably wondering what in the world was going on when three giggly girls walked in and were excited about an ear cleaning. Hey, it doesn't take much to entertain a missionary.

General Women's Conference was on Saturday and it was amaaaazing. I can't wait to be able to read those talks. They were exactly what I needed that day. And this weekend is General Conference and I can't wait for that either! Be sure to watch it! lds.org/church/events/april-2017-general-conference

Week 3

Trio fun fact of the week: when in a trio, it becomes 3x easier to say the same thing as your companion at the same time. It occurs at least once a day now, especially between sister Stickland and me. One day it was a fairly long sentence that we said together as if we planned it. Super weird. Now for the weather. It has supposed to snow something like 8 inches several times this past week. Still hasn't happened. *shrugs* Not complaining.

We had dinner with Addy and it was wonderful time. Especially when she said she'd love to take the lessons. Whoot whoot! Then we met with Madisons family and she and her mom committed to baptism! And then of course Jaden is excited as ever to get baptized and is willing to meet with us as often as needed. Life is good. I don't know if life has ever been better. I'm setting myself up for disappointment, aren't I? Naw. These people just need blessings and they're willing to do what it takes to get them. I'm honored to have been put in their path for this short time to help them in whatever way I can.

This week we had zone conference which was good as always. There were things said and trained on that helped me personally with things I was worried and bothered about. They Lord truly answers prayers how and when we need them. And then for another two days we had general conference. It has to have been the best one yet. So many talks spoke to me, gave me more comfort and peace and encouraged me to be just that much more diligent as a missionary. President Monsons talk was short and extra sweet this time. If you only have 3 minutes, listen to it. If you have more time, check out more! A few of my favorites were: Elder Hollands, President Uchtdorfs, and Elder Ballards. And now they have this new feature on lds.org that has talk summaries. Yes, please! So basically, conference is really good for the soul and everyone should watch, listen to or read it. You also learn fun facts like, as of December 31, 2016 there were 70,946 missionaries. One of those was me!

The Easter video came out this week! It is good as always. The tag line is: Learn principles of peace from the Prince of Peace. And then there are individual ideas and videos about those principles. Check it out at: mormon.org

My homecoming talk and open house has officially been scheduled so get it on your calendar! I'd love to see everyone who can make it to one or both of them. They will both be on Sunday, April 30th. My talk will be at the 11am Sacrament service held at: 8144 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131. The open house will be at my house (if you need the address, ask me or someone in my family) from 4-7pm that evening.

Squad pic with Jordan the Jeep.

Week 4

It's officially been 18 months (it was also sister Wilson's 7 month). We celebrated with funky waffles. Yep.

Honestly I don't have a whole lot to talk about today. Everyone is doing super good, keeping their commitments and progressing. Our companionship is wonderful. Life is still good!

We went on exchanges and sister Smart and I walked allllll daaaay. It was great and I didn't even get a blister this time! But I got sunburnt. I always forget to put sunscreen on. Whoopsies.

In other news, we've been borrowing a couple bean bag chairs from someone and sister Strickland took it upon herself to take one apart to clean it. The project was accomplished but not before our apartment looked like it had snowed inside. See pictures below.

Yes, sometimes you have to sweep carpet.

So...a boring week, huh? Oh I guess here is something else. There was a Dumb Ways to Die ad on the back of a bus. That made my life.

Yep that's all I got. I'm sorry for my lack of stories. But maybe that's a good thing. Have a great one!

Week 5

This week we went on exchange 2 of 3 (the last one is tonight). Sister Strickland and I stayed in our area with sister Brown. This is her first transfer and it was fun to be with someone so young and full of life. I felt bad for any trunky influences that I might've shared with her. I'm trying really, really hard to stay focused but no one warned me about how hard it would actually be. I just...I'm sorry!

Anyway, we met with Jaden that morning and she wanted a picture with him (because he's going to become famous) so now I finally have a picture of him. He really is a very happy person. I don't know why he decides not to smile in pictures. I'll tell him to smile next time

So in other Jaden news, he's getting baptized on Saturday! He is beyond excited about it. He also stayed all 3 hours of church yesterday, which he doesn't usually do because of work. But he said, "It's Easter! Of course I'm not working today."

In other great news, we finally met with Addy. The spirit was strong as we testified of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and she made it clear that she is very committed to live the gospel. She and her boyfriend, Barry (who is a member but hasn't been active), told us how much church and the gospel has blessed their lives and relationship since they decided to start going to church at the beginning of the year. Yesterday, she bore her testimony in Relief Society and talked again about all the blessings she's seen because of the gospel. Then she said, "I'm not even a baptized member yet but I already consider myself a Mormon. I can't wait to be baptized!" Seriously, missionary work has not been this easy my entire mission. What happened? My companions are worried that when I leave, it'll get harder again and they won't remember how to actually be missionaries anymore. I feel bad for them if that's the case.

We weren't able to meet with Madison and her family this week but they did come to church and gave us adorable pompom bunnies.

This week our ward mission leaders daughter got married so we did some service and helped to set up the reception. It was super pretty but...a lot of work. Mostly ironing. Also, bows are so frustrating to tie, let me tell you.

We also had a "funeral" for me and elder Brown (who is going home next week as well) this week at district meeting. Yeah, it's a weird tradition of our "forefathers" and it's usually done the last district meeting of the transfer but we decided to do it this week just to be safe because they always seem to get cancelled.

The great thing about these funerals is it's actually pretty funny. We couldn't keep a straight face for long.

Aaaaand yep, that was my fantabulous week. One more Monday and...it's all over. Goodness it's so weird.

Week 6

It's been a super, duper last week. Soooo many blessings. My heart is full of joy! Buuut I also can't focus (surprise) so this'll be short. Maybe I'll expand on stories later.

To start it all off, we went on a hike with a member after we emailed on Monday. We went to Roxborough National Park so I got to go through my old area!

In other news, the toilet had problems again...and flooded this time. Hah. Yep glad I'm done with that for now.

Another random story: we were at a members house for a lesson and they invited us to the back patio. As we were sitting there trying to get all the kids to sit down, grapes started falling from the sky. No joke. We spent at least 5 minutes trying to figure out what was happening. We finally realized that their backyard neighbors upstairs window was open. We don't actually know if that's where they were coming form but that's the best we got.

Oh and remember the Armor of God activity I talked about a few weeks ago? We did it again with another family this week and it was hilarious.

Stephanie's mom was in town this week which was initially a worry but Stephanie said we should have a lesson anyway. We were able to bear our testimony of Jesus Christ and all the He does for us plain and simply. Later that day she texted us and thanked us for the lesson and said that her mom loved it!

To top off the week, Jaden was baptized! It was early in the morning and glorious. He has changed so much just since I met him and from the stories I've heard, he's done a complete 180. It was such a blessing to teach him and be here to see him be baptized.