Farewell Fuquay

That's right everyone, I'm getting transferred yet again. Yay for new companions every transfer! I am bummed because we are making so much progress here and I really love being with Sister Draper. But I know that Pittsboro needs me and so do my new companionS. That's right I get to be in a trio! I will be with Sister Richardson, who has been out for quite I while, for a week and then together we will be training a sister who is going to be in North Carolina while she is waiting for her visa to come. Pittsboro is a little place that is very country and has a small branch in it. President asked me if I knew any Spanish because it would really come in handy there he said. Should've paid more attention in Spanish in High School!

 

This week has been really REALLY good though! Tuesday morning we spent some time tracting around the apartments we live in. We found an older couple who were helping their daughter and grandson move in and we offered to help. At first they all said, "oh we're ok, thanks though!" We tried to convince them to let us help and finally Sister Draper says, "We've been praying to have opportunities for service!" At that the older mother said, "Well guys, you can't fight that! They've been praying to help people!" So we got to help and last night we took them some cookies. Only in the South and in Utah would it work to say, "We've been praying for this, let us help you!" haha
 

That night President called to inform us that we are getting split up. Sister Draper is staying in Fuquay and she will be training. I am going to Pittsboro. Needless to say we were both sad and very shocked. But we have come to accept it and know it is for a reason.

Wednesday we had Zone Meeting where I played the piano yet again. (Have I ever told you that I am asked to play at every district and zone meeting we have?) I am also playing at transfer meeting tomorrow... I'm basically at the point where I don't care if I mess up anymore as long as the people just keep singing and let me catch up! haha
 

That afternoon we had a lesson with Dominique that went well and she also came to watch conference yesterday and received a priesthood blessing. She is changing so much and I wish I could stay here to see her progress more.
 

Wednesday night we were able to teach the Young Women at mutual. We watched some great videos from the mormon channel and then we played "missionary question Jeopardy" where Sister Draper and I pretended to be the girl's non-member friends and we asked them different questions about the church. The point was to help the girls find easy and simple ways to answer questions and also to help them realize how much they really do know! Hopefully it helped and they will be more confident in sharing what they believe.
 

Thursday we taught Sharon again. Have I told you about Sharon? She is wonderful and we have been teaching her for about 3 weeks now. She was a referral from her friend who lives in another ward. This week we taught her the Plan of Salvation and it was so powerful! There were tears shed and the spirit was there in full force! I am so excited for Sharon every time she reads and learns more about the gospel!

Friday we went to the TEMPLE!!!! It was so amazing! It was great to see Sister Brown and Sister Beech again as well as spend time learning and just feeling at peace. The new video is amazing and definitely brought up some different perspectives that I had not thought of before.

We also had dinner with an amazing family that moved to the ward a few months ago. After dinner they took us to Sunny Skies Ice Cream which is a home made ice cream place that has at least 50 flavors. Everything you could possibly think of is there!!! I got banana pudding and it was SO good!!!
 

Saturday we watched the first session of conference at our Ward Mission Leader's home with his wife. It was nice to be in a place where we could all really focus and feel the spirit! The second session we watched at the church building with Brother Graham who seemed to like it and was very interested in watching the rest of the sessions! I am really going to miss the Grahams when I leave, but I know they are going to continue to learn and grow... even if it is a little slow. We then had dinner at the Crenshaws, some of my most favorite people in the world.
 

After dinner we went to visit Sister Fuller again to tell her that I was leaving. She was very sad to see me go but she understands how it works and we are going to keep in touch. I love her so much!!! She has such a strong testimony and I can't wait to see it blossom even more!
 

Sunday we watched the morning session at a member's home. From there we went to the Crenshaw's again and we got blessings from Brother McKeon and Crenshaw... again. Basically It takes a lot of extra help from the priesthood in order for me to be a missionary! I am so grateful for it though! Basically lets just say that my next area is going to be a place for me to learn a lot... prayers and encouragement would be appreciated! haha But I know it will all be worth it and I will love it!
 

Yesterday Brother Robinson also said he has been talking about a baptismal date for the 16th of November. I AM SO EXCITED FOR HIM!!! It has been coming for 7 years and I know his family is excited and happy for him to take this step as well. :)
 

Well... now that I've written a novel for y'all to read, have a great time in California this next week! I'm sad I'm not there with y'all, but at the same time, you know I'm not a huge fan of amusement parks. But you'll have to learn to watch your own children ;) please send me some pictures! I love you my dear family!
 

Love,
Sister Shurtz

 P.S. - pictures of Sister Draper and I will Sister Fuller and her husband and also of us at the temple :)