Hey Family!
Sounds
like everyone is as busy as always. Its good to hear about life back
home. I can't believe Tania is in New York! That is so crazy. She is
going to love it. Dad, yes New York can be a scary place, you just have
to be smart about it like anywhere else. Plus... I am kinda protected by
an all powerful being so don't sweat it too much. :D I talked to a
member the other day about a day she spent in Manhattan and she said her
favorite thing was called the Starlight Diner. You should tell Tania to
check it out (she said it wasn't even that expensive).
As for my week.... I am 21! that is kinda crazy!
right? haha. I had a great Birthday... and I have a confession to
make... last Monday... we went and got my ears pierced... did you fall
off your chair? It was my birthday present to me I guess you could say. I
hope you are all okay with that.
On Tuesday we went to the mission office for
Transfer meeting. Weird... that was less than a week ago. I think Sister
Peacock was freaking out more than me about getting a new companion.
But don't worry, she is awesome! Her name is Sister Sandberg and she is
from San Jose, CA. She is 20 and is an amazing missionary. Here's one
story about her. We had stopped by the Branch President's house to
introduce her (and they were also having a BBQ for mutual so we grabbed a
hot dog for dinner,) and one of the Members asked her "So where are you
supposed to be?" without a second thought she said "Here!" And she
really means that. I even asked her if she wanted us to pray that her
Visa would come and she said no, she has fully accepted that she
wouldn't be here unless there was a purpose and she is here to work hard
and figure out what that is. We are so blessed to have her.
Saying Goodbye to Sister Madsen was weird. She's
been with me since I got here. And driving back to Riverhead without her
was every weirder but I wasn't scared. I knew that God was going to
guide us and help me know what to do. That day we knocked some doors and
then prepped for and English class we were teaching. Even though I hate
knocking doors I wanted to make sure that her first day was what she
was expecting. That we would go out and work hard so that she really
felt like a missionary. I think we succeeded there. :D
Wednesday... My birthday. Honestly when I woke up it
was weird... you know that feeling you have on your birthday? like its
your special day? Yeah.. that feeling doesn't really exist on a mission.
It just felt like a normal day. Although we had a zone meeting that day
and the senior couple brought a cookie cake to celebrate and everyone
sang to me, that was fun. Then we went to a Latino restaurant to get
papusas... YUM!!!!
Later that night though something super sweet
happened. The elders were at our pad to dedicate it and all of the
sudden I could hear the voice of little children outside. Then there was
a knock on the door. It was the Blom Family (the ones who's house we
were at when I skyped you). They brought me doughnuts and ice cream. O
man I love them! They make me feel at home, especially since they have
like 7 kids.
I am going to jump to Friday now. The night of our
big game night. We spent the day prepping and making sure everything was
going to work out. I wish more people had come but we had a decent turn
out. It definitely wasn't as big as the culture night. But... something
really cool happened. At about 8:00pm this young guy walked in the
building. I thought he had to be a member from the other Branch but I
found out later that he was someone the elders had fearless-ed and
invited to come. His name is Matt. I didn't get to talk to him until the
end of the night but then I sat down for a second to get to know him
and invite him to church. He is really cool. After a while he started
asking questions about the whole mission thing and about what we
believed. He's seen the BOM musical so that is really all he knows about
the church. Anyways. Long story short. He came to church the next day
and the Elders are going to meet with him tonight and we are going to
teach him at a members home on Saturday. He's already read a good
portion of the Book of Mormon. He's pretty golden. We're all really
excited.
Our mission President raised the standard of
excellence this week. The part of it that will interest you the most is
that he has asked to all baptize 1 "Real Growth" Baptism every transfer.
My mind was blown when He announced that. That is asking a lot. But I
know that if he is asking us to do it that we can. So we will. Pray for
us that we will know who to focus on so that we can reach this goal and
help the tent enlarge out here.
O family. I love you so much. I love being here and
feel so blessed everyday to know what I know and for the opportunity to
share it with the world. I want you to read D&C 4:3, study it out
and see what you can do to liken it to yourself.
I have to run. bye!
Love,
Hermana Maren Hale
P.S.
Mom I got the package! The cookies are delicious! Taste like home! :D
Thank you Thank you Thank You! :D I also really love the cards. Good
choice to whoever picked those out. :D
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