Real Snow in North Carolina!

Snowy morning!

The same day that y'all got snow at home, we also got snow here. We got between 1 and 2 whole inches of snow!!! haha It's been fun for Sister Hunt and I who are used to having snow this time of year, but at the same time... being a missionary in a place where they aren't used to snow is really hard. We aren't supposed to really go out of our apartment because it "isn't safe." Everyone in the Branch kept saying, "You be careful! You might be used to this weather and know how to drive in it, but us Southerners are crazy!" So we spent a few days not doing a whole lot, especially because we keep taking turns being sick.

 

On Wednesday we even had our district meeting via a conference call. Mostly that was because we would've had to drive a long ways, across a lot of icy places. And one of the elders in our area has never driven in snow before because he is from Honduras. He also is known for having a "lead foot" anyways. We all decided it would be safest to stay in our apartments and just talk on the phone.

 

Later that day we got to visit with Sarah. She had gum surgery this week and has been just laying around the house for the most part. We spent a couple of hours with her and taught her about the Word of Wisdom on the spot. It was really great :) After visiting with Sarah we went to Sister Hickey's home for dinner and she asked us if we could stay and help her with some baby hats she was making for UNC Hospital. It was fun to do something creative and get to know her a little better.
 

Thursday we ventured out more because the snow and ice were pretty much gone. We contacted a few referrals, and taught a few lessons on facebook. We also stopped by Sarah's again to give her some information we had asked us for. We ended up talking to her about family history work. She is in the process of making scrapbooks that are about her ancestors. She has a lot of really great old pictures and writes down stories and information as she adds the pictures to the books. There is a Family History Conference at the Stake Center coming up in a couple of weeks that she really wants to go to. Sarah is just amazing!

 

Friday we did planning and some tracting. That night there was a baptism in our district that Sarah was going to come to, but something came up and her friend needed her help and she wasn't able to make it after all. But Sister Hunt and I went and were able to support an amazing woman who was baptized.
 

Saturday was more tracting and cleaning and getting ready for Sunday. We met some really nice people, but no one really interested in meeting.

 

On Sunday Sarah came to church and had another great experience. She loves how friendly the Branch is and how much they have really welcomed her. She feels a real sense of family in the Branch here, and it is so true! This is an amazing Branch that is always looking for ways to invite and welcome people. We will hopefully we talking with her about baptism in our lesson tomorrow.

 

Sunday evening we went to visit with our investigator Janice. She was having a really good day and didn't have a migraine, like she does just about every day. We were able to talk with her about faith and trusting in the Lord. She is such an amazing example of staying true to the Lord even through trials. She doesn't like to be pushed or pressured into anything, so things like having lessons, coming to church, and being baptized are all going to be her idea if she is going to do them. But she is so open and so amazing! I love her!

 

Well that about sums up my week. I love it here in Pittsboro and pray that I won't be transferred next week so I can be here for Sarah and for Janice and Sister Hunt. But I guess we'll find out on Saturday and I know it is all in the Lord's hands.
 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for all the support you show me each week. It means so much to see emails from you even if it is just a picture or just a little sentence. I love everything about our family!

 

Love,
Sister Shurtz

Some pictures of our "back yard" at night while it was snowing