I hope your weeks were wonderful! Mine was. And it was probably the single most insane week of my life as a missionary, as well! I haven't stopped once since last Tuesday. It's been a whirlwind of movement and adventure and the Spirit. Sister Moss and I have needed to rely upon the enabling power of the Atonement, because without Him we wouldn't have had the stamina to make it through these last few days (hence the subject line). We've truly had tender mercy upon tender mercy that has carried us through this week, and strength beyond our normal capacities.
Let me see if I can give you the highlights! Last Tuesday we had another Night of Light event in Billerica (goodness, was that really last week??). It is so different each time, because I've always had a different companion. This time it was Sister Bybee, Sister Cruz and I! It was really neat to hear their testimonies in that kind of a setting. Tears were shed, the spirit was strong, the videos were beautiful, and the event was combined with a baptism! This woman has been investigating for a long time. It was a special occaision.
Wednesday was transfers! We didn't stop! We had to get up early to help out with different missionaries luggage, finish packing, frantically clean the house, get to the Weston chapel to set up displays for transfer meeting. . . and THEN Sister Moss came and met us early! We had permission to go shopping before our long road trip. Oh my goodness. She's the best. Sister Moss is a burst of sunshine! She's happy and a beautiful, tall blonde. She's consecrated and outgoing and so excited for her last 6 weeks. I'm glad we're not stopping. It's perfect for her sprint to the finish.
So for the first full day together we went to Springfield for an Open House! All of the displays went up, all of the missionaries in the Zone came and hit the streets. There was a lot less foot-traffic there, but they worked hard, and we had success! There was a slow, steady stream of people who came out for the Open House. It was beautiful. One man named Pierre walked in and took a tour with Sister Moss and I. He came because a member in the ward sent out a Facebook invite! How cool???
That night we drove down to Canton and spent the night there. Hahah, we forgot our air mattress, so we ended up crashing on the armchairs. Not the most comfortable night. But it was perfect, because we were close for the next day--another Open House in Hartford. Remember how amazing it was last time? Well this time it was specifically for the Spanish group, and it was every bit as awesome! I love those people we contacted! It was a beautiful day, so many people stopped and watched the videos and took tours. We taught ministers and teenagers, families and single grandparents. I contacted one woman in sign language!Tour after tour was so powerful, and we were backed up by the whole Hartford Zone. I'm so happy.
We had to break everything down and head out so late. We got home at 1 AM, and then we had to wake up EARLY to get ready and scramble out the door for a trip to Billerica! We hardly had time to shower, and we were getting really tired. Also, Sister Cruz and Sister Couto helped us out and attended a different event we couldn't get to, so we had to pick up the displays. And when we were setting up for the Family History Convention in Billerica, we were going crazy because we couldn't find the Allen wrench. Amazing how one little tool can be detrimental to a whole display. But the Lord loves us and we found it! It was neat to set up some displays there. And the Bishop bought us lunch from the Boy Scout fundraiser. :)
Next stop was Worcester! We set up God's Plan and Temples for a Wedding Reception. My first Wedding Reception for the PVC! And you know what? It was so successful. Because the missionaries were determined to make it so! They had 52 non-members at that event, and they pulled out over 15 of them and gave them mini tours, complete with beautiful videos about God's Plan for us and how significant we believe marriage really is. They got return appointments and contact info and Book of Mormons passed out! It was in Spanish though, so I wasn't of much help.
We headed BACK to Worcester the next day, which was Sunday. As we were driving, the gas light flicked on. YIKES! We were so unprepared for the Sabbath! We prayed and held our breath and drove all the way there. Once there, we set up the whole shebang for their church. It was a different experience. We taught separate classes about the PVC as a missionary aid and gave lots of people tours through. It's very different when you're teaching members, though. I like to emphasize how inspired it all is, and how blessed we are to have it in the MBM. I was about ready to collapse at that point, though. We were there ALL day. When we finally got all the equipment taken down and loaded in the Spaceship again, it was about 7:00. And we had to drive all the way home. Our van said that we had just a little longer drive to get home than we could make on the gas we had. But we had no other option, so we prayed and crept home. . . we drove the last five minutes with 0 miles left to drive.Tender mercy that we made it back.
We crashed for an hour nap, then had to wake up again for a conference call with President Haight (at 9:00 pm) about our New Member Brochure! Sister Moss actually didn't wake up. :) I don't blame her. We got things figured out, then I made a few frantic phone calls to figure out splits for the next day. The Lord really really loves us. Somehow we got it worked out, so that Sister Moss could go to the recent convert temple trip yesterday with her old companion to see all these people she loves in the temple, while I went with her old companion's companion to Newport for a Memorial Day Barbecue! Make sense? I know it's confusing. But Sister Moss was so excited! So my companion for the day was Sister Black all yesterday! We set up two of our displays for the barbecue and had a lot of fun outside. Less-actives and part-member families came through to see the videos, and even a woman who lived across the street! It was wonderful!
So that's been my hectic week! I probably bored you with all the details--sorry! It was just so hard to condense it all! I love Sister Moss so so so so much! Can't wait for 5 more weeks with her!!!!
It has been an incredible week! I love being in a trio--my companions are the best! We had so much fun, did so many great things, and have some crazy news!
First of all, off and on throughout the week I was a normal missionary with teaching appointments. :D That was fun. We went out to Marlborough to help Sister Cruz in her area. Mostly for member dinners, which was nice! We had two teaching appointments where I contributed absolutely nothing, though, because they were in Portuguese. Haha. I can probably say about 50 words in Portuguese now! I'm slowly improving. ;)
We went up to Merrimack to give a PVC training during district meeting, which went well! The next day we split up. Sister Cruz and Sister Bybee went out to Springfield to train them and help prep them for their upcoming tour, and I went with our Sister Training Leaders in Weston, Sister Couto and Sister Asay, for half the day! We were able to meet up with Kevin and Katie LaBarge for breakfast, and that was so fun. I love them. :)
Later in the day we were driving to Nashua for a wedding of one of Sister Bybee's investigators. . . when we got a phone call from President Packard. TRANSFER NEWS. Can you believe it's already been a transfer??? Okay, here's the big news!!!!
. . . Sister Bybee is leaving me already. Going to Boston Spanish.
Sister MOSS, who I know and love dearly, is coming into the PVC. But she goes home in 6 more weeks.
So Sister CRUZ, whose life dream was to be a Visitors' Center Missionary, gets to go back to her area (Marlborough) for this next transfer and show someone else around REALLY REALLY well, because after this transfer, she'll come back to the PVC and be my companion until I go home.
Get all that?? :D :D :D :D :D :D I'm so excited!!!! I love these people! It's so weird that I already know all of my companions. And that I've been companions with Sister Lima, Sister Cruz, and Sister Couto, all who came out together. It's crazy that I'll be spending half of my mission as a Portable Visitors' Center missionary. But everything feels right and makes so much sense. I needed Sister Bybee as a companion. She did great things with the PVC, but she belongs in the hub of typical missionary life, teaching constantly. I'm so excited for her in downtown Boston!
The next day we drove two and a half hours out to a teeny little town called Chester in Massachusetts. They had a parade they wanted us to set up for! It was nice. :) I'll have to attach some pictures. We contacted a lot of people, but it was interesting how none of them seemed to have any religious background or interest. We did have a couple of potential investigators, though. One of the Elders contacted the clown on stilts.
There was a baptism in Brockton we attended. Sister Cruz had the opportunity to stand up and testify of the content of the videos we showed, because everything was in Portuguese. One of their investigators stayed after and watched every video we had. :)
So the last big news is that Sister Bybee and I were asked to sing at transfer meeting! Oh my goodness! I'm really excited. We're singing Alive by Natalie Grant. It's a beautiful song and really powerful. I'm praying that we'll be able to sing our hearts out and bring the Spirit into the meeting. I've only heard spectacular musical numbers at these meetings, and not only do I want to live up to it, but I want to contribute. I can't wait to share my testimony through song!
Thanks again for everything! All of your love and support means the world. Hold tight, I'll be sending some great pictures, because Sister Cruz is a talented photographer!
It seems to me that every time you feel like you're getting something, Heavenly Father makes things more challenging. Which is so good. What a blessing that we can keep learning all the time, and still feel dependent upon Him for constant guidance. The challenges this week were positive, too! We're upping workload and responsibility. :)
So guess what?? It was Sister Bybee's 20th birthday this week!!!! How great is that? We had so much fun together. :) We went to a cute little seafood restaurant to celebrate Monday night. Tuesday was her actual birthday. It was the best, because we were supposed to give a training to the whole mission via. WebEx that day. Sister Bybee wanted to be early to the office to be prepared, but I was desperately trying to stall, because I knew that the district was decorating the whole office for a surprise! Hahaha, it was so funny to see her reaction when she walked in! The Packards and the Weston Sisters and all of the office missionaries were there! And we had a lunch celebration!
As for the WebEx, it was really good! I thought I'd be nervous, training 300+ missionaries, but since I couldn't see them I was just fine! The Hartford Elders testified of the miracles from last week, we explained how everyone can effectively use the PVC, and President basically told everyone that it would be SILLY to not use such an incredible resource. Wasteful, even. :) He also told them to call us and invite us to district and Zone Meetings to train them on how they could use the PVC in their specific areas. So neat! So we got slammed with a bajillion texts after. We are BOOKED for the month of May! It's going to be so great!
The next day we went to 3 different things! Bright and early we drove to Nashua, New Hampshire and set up a couple of displays for an Interfaith Council. Then we left the displays there and ran to MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference). There we gave another training, this time to all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. It was more personal with all of them. We set up the Restoration display and showed them some of the new videos we have. We talked more about the miracles and how they could make it work even if their building is not located in a high foot-traffic area. President got all excited and told everyone about the inspiration behind the Portable Visitors' Center. It really made everyone appreciate what we have more.
That night we went all the way out to Springfield again! This sweet sister just got off her mission, and we set up a display for a fireside she was doing to tell everyone of her experiences. :)
Thursday we picked up the displays from Nashua again and stopped by someone Sister Bybee had taught. IT was good for them to reconnect! We're going to her wedding soon! Anyway, because of the visit we were running behind to a baptism in Boston. . . and then we hit rush hour. I kid you not, a 1:20 drive took us nearly three hours. We were so so so late. It was terrible! The blessing, however, was that so was everyone else. I should have guessed. Portuguese baptisms always start sooooo late.
Friday was Zone Meeting. There we gave another training, this time to our very own Zone! We discussed the strengths of the wards in the Boston West Zone, and how we could capitalize on those for successful events with the PVC! And the Zone Leaders put together the cutest lunch for everyone! :D
Saturday was INSANE. Okay, so we double-booked ourselves. We were supposed to be at a Family History Convention in Madison AND a Meet the Mormons movie event up in Peterborough, New Hampshire. At the same time. And the Weston Sisters couldn't go on splits with us, so we called around frantically until the Worcester SP Sisters told us they could help us! They spent Friday night with us. Then, bright and early Saturday morning (6:00), we loaded some of the displays into the office Elders' truck, then split up. Sister Bybee and Sister Martinez went to Peterborough, and Sister Frei and I headed out t oMadison for the day!
It was a beautiful day, and Sister Frei was great! Not as many people interacted with the displays in CT, but it was still successful and fun. I was also able to catch up some more in my journal! Whew! It was just great. :)
And yes, of course, I got to Skype home yesterday! It was wonderful. I love my family. Families are the best, right? And mothers. Crazy to think that the next time I'll see them is when I go home. . .
Oh, one more thing! A Sister in our Zone got her Visa!!!! So today we took her to the airport to fly out to Brazil for the rest of her mission. And NOW. . . her companion, Sister Cruz is with us in a trio for 10 days, until transfers!!!!!! CRAZY!!!!!!!! I'm in another trio right now! It's fabulous. I love Sister Cruz. I already know her pretty well. She was Sister Lima's companion in the MTC. Another Brazilian. :D
Shout out to Erik, my good friend who just returned from his mission in Wisconsin!!!! :D
Thanks for everything! I know there was a lot of info on this one. Hope you enjoy it! I love you all!!!
It's a bright and cheerful day here in New England, and I have EVER so much to tell you!!! Our schedule wasbooked this last week! We were determined to not have any empty space again after all the opposition over the last couple of weeks, and our efforts and prayers have paid off. Running from event to event is exhausting, but so fulfilling. :)
First of all, we had our final interviews with President Packard this week. Can you believe that? It's breaking my heart. He held interviews at his home this time, and Sister Packard was also able to meet with us individually. I loved the one-on-one time with them. Their last formal counsel is something I'll cherish and remember. They made this place home when I thought I'd left home far behind; they have my love and loyalty. Through inspiration, they have helped shape me into who I am, and forever changed my trajectory on who I want to be.
My favorite event this week was in Hartford, Connecticut! I'd never been there before! The Spaceship was packed up tight with the entire shebang, and we set it up throughout their tiny building (bottom floor of another building, really) for a stand-alone open house. It worked out beautifully, because the weather was perfect and we were able to set up our Jesus Christ display right there on the busy street! Because of Him was playing as people walked by. The PERFECT eye-catcher. The entire Zone came together to support this event and personal contact like crazy. It was amazing. The open house went from 3-9, and we had a steady stream of people coming through the entire time! We tallied it; over 60 non-members from foot-traffic came through. Everyone did all of the jobs--personal contacting, guiding tours throughout the building, and navigating the videos on the displays according to the Spirit and the needs of the people they were teaching. I loved every moment of it. And you know what? Miracle upon miracle came of it. There was one family that had been looking for a church. By the end of the tour they had committed to baptism. Another woman broke down in tears when the Elders approached her, saying that she had just been praying that God would send someone to talk to her. Otherpeople hardly said a word, but cried as they watched the videos. I can't describe how it feels to watch someone discover Heavenly Father's love.
We stayed with the Canton Sisters that night. It was a cute little house. :) We loved our time there. Then the next day we drove North, back into Massachusetts for a Springfield Event. We set up an open house with Elder Cathcart and Elder Sanabria. They are so cool. :D I'm telling you, the missionaries here in the MBM will be my life-long friends. All of them. Their ward had a fundraiser for Boy Scouts, which included dinner and a talent show. It drew quite a few non-members! The talents were amazing, and it was a lot of fun, but understandably not very many people came through the tour. It was still so worth it--the Elders took a recent convert and his wife through, and we were able to talk to the leaders about future events! We got to bed by about 1 AM, though. We certainly have different schedules than typical missionaries. . .
Next events: baptisms! We went to three of them! The first one was in Worcester (Wuh-stah). The man, Rajiv, had quite the conversion story. President Packard actually ended up attending. (Which was nice, because we told him all about our successes!) From there we went into Cambridge for a Portuguese baptism. We went back there again on Sunday for another Portuguese baptism. All were neat experiences, and they loved our Portuguese displays and videos. I had lost my voice though (from a mild sickness), so of course that's when the Elders asked Sister Bybee and I to sing a musical number. Hahaha, it was rough. I squeaked my way through it. :)
And then last night, we set up two of our displays at the Longfellow Park chapel. They had an incredible Men's Chorus singing for a fireside. It was beautiful! That, too, drew a number of people, and many of them perused the video selection afterward. :) I met one man who went to the same Junior High as me. How funny is that? It's a small world.
So that was my busy, successful week! I have an even more busy one coming up, and it looks like the success level is just going to keep climbing! Tomorrow we're training the mission on the Portable Visitors' Center via Webex, and then we're training the leaders during Missionary Leadership Conference! It will really be exciting! Prayers would be appreciated. We want the rest of the mission to catch the vision.
Thanks again for everything! Happy Mother's Day, and make the most of every moment!
