Dear family,
This week has been such a roller coaster. It's hard to believe that I have already been in Ashburn for over a week. So much has happened and I will do my best to sum it up in this email. This past week Sister Richins and I taught about overcoming discouragement and the topic of vanity for two Zone Trainings. The Lord really took care of us as we presented because we barely had enough time to prepare. I have realized that this Zone that I am in is super awkward. The whole zone is 18 year old elders and then us and another set of sisters. For Zone training our zone leaders dressed up like batman and ninja turtle to present their message (this included them wrestling). It was super awkward and I felt very uncomfortable. I know that I am supposed to be in this zone for a reason. I will SURVIVE!
We also had a baptism this Wednesday for Claudia. She is such an amazing example of faith! No one was able to help us set up for the baptism so we were able to fill up the font by ourselves. The only problem with that is in the past our ward mission leaders would always fill it up and make sure it was the appropriate height for the individual. We ended up filling the font too low and because of this she was baptized three times... and on the third try we had her kneel so that she could be fully immersed. Talk about an awkward experience! So this is a lesson to all of you. Do not let Sister Smith and Sister Richins fill up the baptismal font. This is now the big joke in my ward. The ward council has really had fun giving us a hard time. I am grateful for awkward experiences because they can always be turned into learning experiences.
After the baptism I noticed that I had a sore throat.. I woke up Thursday morning with a miserable cold. It was so bad that I needed to sleep all day. I was in the apartment for a few days until I could regain my energy to go out and work. Being sick on a mission is not fun... I am grateful that I am now well and able to work again.
These are really the highlights for the week. I hit my 16 month mark today which means I will see you in about two months. Can you believe it? Kiana Lindmeir wants to room with me still when I get home. She is looking for places to stay so I will keep you informed for where we will live. President Riggs did my ecclesiastical endorsement this week so I should be good to go. Can you let me know when I hear back from BYU and UVU?
Dad, I am speechless! You are the new bishop of our ward. That is so weird to me! I am so grateful that you will be my bishop for a short while when I am home. I bet you are super busy now. One thing that I have learned about bishops since I have been on a mission is when the bishop becomes missionary minded, so does the rest of the ward. It's like a trickling effect. I know that you will be phenomenal! We are now the Northfield 1st ward? That is nice. How have the boundaries changed? Who are your counselors? This is some exciting stuff dad.
Mom, have fun painting in St. George. I cannot wait to see it when I get home. We will have to take a road trip for sure!
I love you both and I hope you have a great week!
Love, Sister Smith
This week has been such a roller coaster. It's hard to believe that I have already been in Ashburn for over a week. So much has happened and I will do my best to sum it up in this email. This past week Sister Richins and I taught about overcoming discouragement and the topic of vanity for two Zone Trainings. The Lord really took care of us as we presented because we barely had enough time to prepare. I have realized that this Zone that I am in is super awkward. The whole zone is 18 year old elders and then us and another set of sisters. For Zone training our zone leaders dressed up like batman and ninja turtle to present their message (this included them wrestling). It was super awkward and I felt very uncomfortable. I know that I am supposed to be in this zone for a reason. I will SURVIVE!
We also had a baptism this Wednesday for Claudia. She is such an amazing example of faith! No one was able to help us set up for the baptism so we were able to fill up the font by ourselves. The only problem with that is in the past our ward mission leaders would always fill it up and make sure it was the appropriate height for the individual. We ended up filling the font too low and because of this she was baptized three times... and on the third try we had her kneel so that she could be fully immersed. Talk about an awkward experience! So this is a lesson to all of you. Do not let Sister Smith and Sister Richins fill up the baptismal font. This is now the big joke in my ward. The ward council has really had fun giving us a hard time. I am grateful for awkward experiences because they can always be turned into learning experiences.
After the baptism I noticed that I had a sore throat.. I woke up Thursday morning with a miserable cold. It was so bad that I needed to sleep all day. I was in the apartment for a few days until I could regain my energy to go out and work. Being sick on a mission is not fun... I am grateful that I am now well and able to work again.
These are really the highlights for the week. I hit my 16 month mark today which means I will see you in about two months. Can you believe it? Kiana Lindmeir wants to room with me still when I get home. She is looking for places to stay so I will keep you informed for where we will live. President Riggs did my ecclesiastical endorsement this week so I should be good to go. Can you let me know when I hear back from BYU and UVU?
Dad, I am speechless! You are the new bishop of our ward. That is so weird to me! I am so grateful that you will be my bishop for a short while when I am home. I bet you are super busy now. One thing that I have learned about bishops since I have been on a mission is when the bishop becomes missionary minded, so does the rest of the ward. It's like a trickling effect. I know that you will be phenomenal! We are now the Northfield 1st ward? That is nice. How have the boundaries changed? Who are your counselors? This is some exciting stuff dad.
Mom, have fun painting in St. George. I cannot wait to see it when I get home. We will have to take a road trip for sure!
I love you both and I hope you have a great week!
Love, Sister Smith