Missionary Life

This last week we had exchanges with our Sister Leaders, Sister Oliver and Sister Andersen. I stayed in Knightdale with Sister Oliver while Sister Zoolakis went to Zebulon. It seems like nothing ever goes according to plan during exchanges. We spent a lot of time trying to find a ride to our only appointment that night with a less active and her 6 year old son because our member had to cancel on us that morning. After calling what felt like EVERYONE we finally texted the Elders and asked if they really needed the car that night or if we could borrow it for a couple of hours. Basically we have the best Elders EVER and they let us take the car because they knew that Sister Rathavongsa needed us, and because their appointment that night was with our neighbor. (Did I ever tell y'all that we live about 4 apartments away from the Elders?) Elders Perse (per-say) and Hampton were life savers that night! (And every other day when we need to borrow something like their DVD player, pan, a bike pump, or an iron) 

Wednesday we had Zone Conference and we were able to watch Meet the Mormons. It is an amazing movie that shows different types of people around the world and how a belief in Jesus Christ helps them. I love all of their stories! I can't pick a favorite one. About half way through the movie our Sister Bernhisel came and got Sister Zoo and I. She asked us to come into the hall and to bring our planners. We were both really confused! In the hall we met Amanda. She is 19 years old and just decided to walk into the church and try to learn more! How amazing is that! She said she didn't have time to say and watch the movie, but we met with her later in the week and we were able to talk about some of her questions and introduce her to the Book of Mormon. She even came to our lesson prepared with a notebook to write notes in! She is amazing and I can't wait to see her again this week.

Thursday and Friday were filled with Weekly Planning, meeting with Amanda, less actives, and... not William. He canceled on us. 

Saturday morning we got a call from him canceling again because he feels like he really wants to focus on getting to know the Bible right now and he doesn't believe in the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. So we're starting in Genesis this week :)

Allean is doing well, but didn't come to church this week. This week was our ward's Primary Program and I got to be in charge of the Balloon! I got to stand in the back of the chapel and hold a balloon filled with helium. If the kids were singing loud then the balloon was high, but if they were singing soft, the balloon was low. It was fun! As always, there was a "sunbeam descant" during the chorus of the song where the little children were screaming the words they knew!

After church we went to the Salgado's for dinner and then to the mission home for a fireside which we had a less active and her non member husband come to.

Transfers are next week and my fingers are crossed that Sister Zoo won't be leaving me... but we'll just have to wait to see what happens. We get to go to the temple this Friday. YAY!!!!

Love y'all!

Sister Shurtz