North Carolina = "Tropical Storms," Bugs, Blisters, and Blessings

I made it!  First Area with my companion, Sister Brown

 

 

Hey Family!!!

Sorry I didn't write you last week... but I haven't had a P-Day for a while. I made it safely to North Carolina and I am loving it! The rest of my MTC experience was just the like the beginning. We sat in class a lot, did a lot of role plays, taught some "investigators" (Aka our teachers / paid actors) and we also had fun. I loved it all so much and was sad when I had to say goodbye to most of my district because they are going to Colorado. I got really close to them and I look forward to keeping in touch and sharing fun stories and experiences.
 

After going to bed around 11 on Sunday night when we finished packing... Monday morning (June 3rd) we woke up at 3 A.M. (although I woke up at 2 and was wide awake and didn't really fall back asleep). We got on a bus at 4:30, and were at the airport around 5:45. Then we all went our different ways with our groups traveling to different areas of the world. My group had 17 Sisters and 11 Elders. After checking in we got to call home (or in my case... Denmark). I am still amazed by the amazing time in which we live that I could get a hold of Dad and Renae while they were so far away! After talking to them for a bit we had to go get on the plane that would take us to Atlanta and then from there on to Raleigh. When we got to Raleigh the Bernhisels, and 3 Assistants to the President were there to help us with our bags and get into the vans. (By the way, one of the AP's went to school with my cousin Daniel Shurtz in Centerville. His name is Elder Hewlett) We went to the Mission home where we got to have interviews with the president, eat dinner, sing a lot of hymns, and get taught by the AP's.

 

The next day we had to wake up at 6 in order to get ready in time to eat and find out where we were being assigned to. It was a really big deal! Not just because it was our first area and we were finding out who are companions were... but because 7 of the sisters and 4 of the elders were going to be assigned to areas that will become part of the new Virginia Chesapeake mission on July 1st. I have been assigned to Green Level Ward in the Apex stake. It is a REALLY strong ward with about 85-90% attendance EVERY WEEK! The members here are SO loving and willing to help with whatever we need whenever we need it. We also have people signed up to feed us EVERY NIGHT for the next month. We are SOOOOO BLESSED!

My trainer's name is Sister Brown. She is from Tarawa Island. Which is part of the Kiriboti or Gilbert Islands in the South Pacific by Fiji. She is the sweetest girl and the best trainer I could have asked for. I love her so much and we get along SO well. This is her 3rd area, I'm her 8th companion (3rd one she has trained), and she has been out for a year.

 

We are the first sisters to be in this area for about 6 years. We are also the first missionaries since then to be assigned only to their ward... so we are starting from scratch! Because of that we have no investigators and we are using a lot of time going through the area book looking for potentials.

Our first day spent outside trying to contact people was the day of the "Tropical Storm"... otherwise known as a hurricane. We were out for only an hour and half with our little umbrellas before the District Leaders called and told us that there was a flash flood warning and they were on their way to pick us up and take us home. This was rain like I have NEVER seen before... let alone walked a mile in. haha We were absolutely soaked. But it was so much fun and we were both just excited to be out and talking to people!

 

The next day there was no rain and we walked probably 8 miles. (We have a car... but the Elders have it for a little bit until some paperwork can be sorted out... We should have it back in a couple days) We walked and walked and walked and talked to a few people but not many people were home. I have a few bug bites... and as you know my bites swell up A LOT so that is fun to deal with as we are currently walking a lot, but it isn't too bad. I am just so happy to be here and to be able to serve in an area where the ward members are so willing to help us.

 

All is going well, no nerves for at all. I know I am here where I am supposed to be and there are people I need to help. I love you so much.
 

Love,

Sister Shurtz