Oh my goodness I can't believe that its already Monday! Last night I realized that we are
entering into week 3 of the transfer and it made me a little sick inside. We
just had transfers! We can't be getting to the next transfer that fast!!!!! When
you are on the Lords time, time really doesn't exist. Its the craziest thought
and feeling ever!
Sister Scrivner and I had this crazy opportunity last Monday night to go to dinner at a members home. They
told us that some previous missionaries were visiting and would be joining us.
We were excited to meet them! What none of us were expecting is that these two
girls were both Sister Scrivner and I's trainers, trainers. Sister Mix trained
my trainer Sister Haws, and Sister Ware trained Sister Hermansen who trained
Sister Scrivner. Its a crazy mission genealogy thing. We had a lot of fun
hearing some of their experiences. Its not everyday you get to meet people like
them. hahaha
We had Missionary Leadership Council to go to this week too. Normally the
day is very scheduled out and runs smoothly. For some reason though this time it
wasn't. We had a schedule but didn't follow it. President Hall didn't get much
sleep, and I mean maybe 1 or 2 hours the night before. We quickly found out that
when he is tired his filter shuts down. I don't think I have ever seen him act
so funny or have so many unfinished thoughts. It was entertaining to say the
least but we understand and we aren't judging him for it. ;D We talked a lot
about the areas we are in and how we can help our ward understand how everything
will work when each ward has multiple sets of missionaries. This conversation
was very important because we are opening 18 new areas this next
transfer!!!!! We are also getting another 40 + missionaries. I don't know how
our valleys will be able to hold all of us! I don't think we even got to our
training portion of our meeting it was such a crazy sort of meeting. We also
talked about the results of our goals for baptisms. Last month we had the goal
of 30 baptisms as a mission which we reached! We made the decision as a council
to keep our goal the same for August and September to see if we could keep
consistent in our goal reaching. Especially since we are a 50% church. Speaking
of baptisms. Our zone this last month was the top baptizing zone! We found out
that our mission actually had 34 baptisms not 32. Some missionaries failed to
submit key indicators. Out of the 34 our zone had 11 baptisms!!!!!! It was so
cool to hear these results when our original goal was to have 6. We totally blew
our goal out of the water, and we are working hard already to see that it
happens again. There are so many changes to the missionaries way of thinking and
working. Some days it feels hard to keep up, but some how we do.
This week I had the wonderful opportunity to revisit the memory of having a
toilet exploding in my apartment in Utah. In our apartment we live with another
set of Sisters who cover a different area. Their toilet exploded for some
unknown reason and affected the entire apartment. It was wonderful to come home
to. I am sincerely glad it wasn't my toilet this time. ;D hahahahaha
I went on exchanges this week with one of our new missionaries. Her name is
Sister Bishop. She has been struggling quite a bit with the adjustment to
missionary life and with her companion. Through talking for several hours we
came to the conclusion she and I have some very similar experiences. It was so
cool to be with a missionary who is very new and yet she teaches as if she has
been out for 6+ weeks. She is simply amazing. I have come to feel a
huge fear over the possibility of training again, however being able to work
with her and take the true lead of the companionship and teach her was
amazing!!!! I am just going to have to remember not all new missionaries
are Sister Peatross. I cannot believe how scarring the experience was. I might
just tell President that I wont train again unless I get a missionary
like Sister Bishop! (Just Kidding ;D)
Our Relief Society Presidents sister just got home from her mission this
last week. Last night we went over
to say hello and see if we could set up some times for her to come out with us.
We had a wonderful time visiting with her and I think it brought her a small
degree of comfort. Jana (RS President) walked us out to the car. We talked for a
bit and she started explaining some things that are going on. We ended up
convincing her to come with us to a potential home, even though we just talked
to her sister about coming with us lol. Jana came and I think she really felt
uplifted by the visit. When we knocked on the door for our potentials home she
answered!!!! It was a miracle and she set up the appointment with us! We are so
excited and we know that because Jana was with us we were able to see the
miracle and it helped us all out emotionally. It was just thrilling and what
better way to help the ward see what we do than to have the leaders come with
us.
I also was surprised with a request to be the pianist for sacrament meeting
yesterday. I didn't have any time
to prepare so it was a fly by the seat of my skirt type of deal. I felt so bad
because I totally destroyed "Called to Serve" and it was the closing song......
I had been so nervous and my hands were shaking!!!!!! The chorister was so
sweet though. She told me I did just fine and that if anyone said otherwise she
would beat them up for me. It was really sweet of her to say that because 1. I
haven't had the opportunity to really get to know her yet 2. she is super quiet
and keeps to herself. So it really touched me and made me feel slightly better
about myself.
Sorry this email is short this week! We didn't have anything really
specific happen other than what I have already shared. I hope you all enjoy your
week!!!! I love you all!
Hurrah for Israel!!!!
Love,
Sister Cottrell
