Hello family and friends,
Thanks for your lovely emails this week! It was so great to hear from you each! The different ways you write and different perspectives on events always make me chuckle and feel happy.
We got our transfer call last night while we were in our car between appointments! We get calls from the assistants to the Mission President and they tell us whether we are staying or going. Sister S and I are teaching a bunch of new incredible people as of the last week and we really wanted to stay here and help them progress towards baptism.
Assistants on phone:
"Hi Sisters, we just wanted to call and check up on you. How are you doing? Oh, also, we were really concerned about the temperature of your refrigerator."
Sister Greenall: "Oh thanks for checking. You know, it does the job. The food is chilled."
Sister S: "Elders!!"
Assistants: "Not too cold and not too warm? That's good. It's very important. Oh, while we are on the phone I suppose we could pass on some transfer information...
Sister S... You are staying. (serious cheering coming from Sister S in the driver’s seat)
And Sister Greenall...
….
….
You are also staying."
We are staying!!!!!!!! I love this area! These people need the gospel and we are going to do everything we can to help them!
New family!!: M (Mom), Ch (12 year old daughter), and Ja (10 year old son. I call him Little Ja, not to be confused with West African Ja)
This family is wonderful! We got a referral from a sister in Oregon. She gave us the information for her friend here, M. She left her husband with her two kids five years ago due to a bad situation. Her friend told her we were coming, so when we came that night, she wasn't surprised (only by the fact that we came so soon). We told her that while the church does provide many great things (a church family, service, etc) the greatest thing we could offer was the message of the restored gospel.
We have had two lessons with them so far after that meeting, and they came to church yesterday! A sister picked them up and drove them there, and Brother S (our ward mission leader- he's incredible!!!) and his family drove them home! And they connected really well! The ward really helped them to feel welcome! I could see they really enjoyed church! It was so wonderful!!
Also, N came to church! She was also a referral. Her roommate was a member of our ward, but was less active. We visited him a few times and met her once, and also realized she had been taught in the past by elders. One day we received a referral from church headquarters saying that N has referred herself at the Mesa Arizona temple and said she had learned before but now was ready to change more. We were thinking "wow, how neat!"...and then later we thought about it more...and the pieces started connecting and we said "N!!! Ph's roommate!" We visited her and it turns out she was in Arizona with Ph and his family for 12 or so days helping him move back. He needed to be around his family and friends to help him get back on the straight and narrow, so that's really good I think. But while she was there she attended church with them twice, went to the temple visitor’s center, and did everything with his family. She said in the past she felt pressured to be baptized and doesn't want to feel that way, but that she is open to learning.
We went to visit her and were planning on bringing two members, Brother L, and Ja. Ja doesn't have a car, so we planned on having Brother L pick up Ja. That day, we met Brother L at Ja's house, but when we knocked, his mom answered and said she didn't know where Ja was! Oh no! So we said ok, and started the drive towards N's apartment. ..she happens to live in the same complex as Brother M (another ward missionary and Ja's awesome fellowship. Brother M has really connected with their family. Both from Africa. But Brother M also can really connect with just about anybody! hahaha! He's so nice! and we love Pa his wife and Pr their daughter! They were married and baptized in the summer of last year I believe). While driving into the complex, someone honked at us! I looked over and saw a man with a bright orange cap on. "Hey, that's Brother M!!" Sister S glanced over as well and we both said "...he has Ja!!" haha! So Brother M turned around and added onto our car train (now 3 cars) and followed us back into the complex. We stole Ja and Brother M and Pr tagged along too so we had 4 people with us when we knocked on N's door! ...Probably not the best plan in most situations. It would be a bit overwhelming! But I think in this situation it was what needed to happen. It was perfect! We had texted her and asked if we could bring a few friends over and she had been fine with that, but had warned us she doesn't have any furninture, which we said was no problem. So we all sat down picnic style in her little apartment living room and had a really wonderful lesson. I think it was just what she needed and now she knows and is comfortable with these three incredible members in her area! Brother M offered her a ride to church right there and she accepted. And Brother M’s family usually drives Ja, so Brother L said "I can take Ja!" It was perfect! One of my favorite things is seeing new members and new investigators being so integrated into the ward and finding their ward family!
We had exchanges this last week. I worked with Sister K. She lived in Folsom and moved out right before we moved in! She is this little peppy blonde powerful missionary who is probably almost a foot shorter than me. It was so fun to spend the day together sharing the gospel! I really learned a lot about faith that day! We saw miracles. She taught me about goal setting through her experiences and testimony. "Why do we limit the Lord? Yeah, 3 baptisms would be great. But why not 30? There are thousands of people in our areas and don't you think the Lord wants 30 of them at least to be baptized?" Haha, that's not exactly what she said, but that concept stuck with me. We don't have to be afraid to set high goals because the missionary work is not limited to our own abilities. It's been a faith building experience for me to try and switch from setting my own goals to setting the Lord's goals!
This Friday we will be visited by Elder Bednar. I know it's going to be a life changing experience if I prepare the best I can!
It was an incredible week! We truly truly see miracles every day!
I love you!
-Erica/Sister Greenall
(Sister S is beginning to convince me that hearing/saying my first name is in no way profane!)
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