Howdy Partner! Tudo Bem!

Email from Erica

Received  October 21, 2013

Today was a bit crazy busy and I only have like two seconds!!  But here's some info:

I'm in Austin, Texas working in the Mount Bonnell singles ward!  I'm loving it!!! It's so great to be here! The people are incredible! I'm in a trio with two awesome trainers: Sister M and Sister Cl. Missionary work is incredible and hard!  I'm printing your email so I can read it later!

Your questions!

1.  What is your new address?

Email me if you would like Sister Greenall's latest address: christine.greenall@gmail.com 

2. What has been your favorite experience in Texas so far?

The people here are awesome!  Favorite moments:  getting to the mission home!  Our mission president and wife, the Sl’s, are awesome! Our first day in we got to go to the Alamo (just like on the district) and we all stood in front of the Alamo as the AP elders read us the story of the Alamo....at the end they related it to a quote about choosing the Lord's side. They had us all stand behind a line (like in the Alamo story) and asked who would cross to join the Lord's side!  Then we all crossed! Then they took out a big box of copies of the Book of Mormon and said, "ok! Let's go place these!" Scary!  Rejection, avoid eye contact, "do you have a minute?" "No.", haha!  It was really hard!  We learned what not to do!!  Then the AP elders came and helped me and my companion!  He would stop people and start talking to them (he's so good at it! He's just so friendly so people talk to him) and then he would pass them over to us and we would share the Book of Mormon with them. They fed us lots of good food that night and for lunch that day and we all met together as the new missionaries. There were 20 of us new missionaries and 10 are visa waiters.

The next day: transfer meetings! We went to the big transfer meeting in San Antonio where all the San Antonio missionaries got their new companions and assignments for areas. There was a group of us left in the middle without our assignments at the end and we found out we were going to Austin! So here I am!

We have lots of people we are working with here! Incredible people! Our work is through the members and the referrals and I'm surprised how much we have to do!

We had a baptism on Saturday! Her name is A and she is amazing! She is the perfect example of someone who was prepared to receive this gospel!  

Also, we visited a guy named R yesterday.  Wow, he's amazing.  He has had a difficult past, but he has such an amazing light about him now and he loves the gospel so much!  He reads from the Book of Mormon every day and prays. He's a really unique and cool person. He has three awesome dogs, a big Doberman, a little terrier, and a Pomeranian, and they are super nice because he's a dog trainer.  THE GOSPEL TRULY CHANGES LIVES! He is a new person! And he is incredible!!!!

3. What has been the biggest challenge since arriving in Texas?

Hardest thing... I learned what Irmao Porter meant when he said missionary work is hard. He said that we need to go to where our investigators are before we can bring them to where we are. One of our investigators is struggling so much.  She is going through some really difficult family situations. We prayed for this sweet girl and to know how to help her and comfort her and to give her what she needed.  We began talking with her and comforting her. Words came to our mouths. Scriptures came to our minds. And for a moment it felt like our Father in Heaven was speaking with her through us. Which I'm quite sure he was :)  After sharing some scriptures, she actually said through the tears "Thanks, girls" Which truly meant a lot.  

It was so hard to see someone in so much pain. As missionaries, we learn a bit more how to feel for others as the Savior does, how to love them, and how to want so badly to help them. I love the people here so much already. I have seen many miracles already! Verses of scripture have come to mind when I need them!  In one lesson, we had a question, and a specific book of the bible came to mind with a specific chapter and specific verse. It was Amos 3:7 which I learned in seminary.  But at the time that it came to mind, I honestly could not remember what it was about. I looked it up, and it was perfect for his question.  It's amazing to be a servant of the Lord.

We meet people at just the right times and in the right places... It's amazing how missionaries are guided. Missionary work is hard, but it is the work of the Lord! I can feel that! It's spiritually exhausting, but so so so rewarding!!

Tudo Bem Tudo Bem!

I really don't have much time this p-day.  I should have more next time! But for now,

Eu amo voces!!!! I hope all is well!

-Sister Greenall