Sister Pinto Haynes and I were stuck in Osky for pday! It's weird being to far to go places, but that's okay! We went to a couple stores and looked around, and we were going to pass a nail salon when she said she had never gotten her nails done! So, we got a pedicure Haha!
On Tuesday, we had interviews with our amazing mission president and his amazing wife! Love getting to see them and the zone! We played some weird games and got to know each other more, which is fun!
On Wednesday, we got invited to a couple different houses to help cook Thanksgiving food, and we happy obliged! Got some yummy pie early!
Thursday was TURKEY DAY!! We went to our Branch President's house and ate with them! It was a party! Afterwards, we went home and took some Christmas photos... LOL
On Friday, we weekly planned! And sad story, there was a baptism in Newton on Saturday, and we wanted to being some of the people we were teaching so they could watch! But, no one wanted to take the time to drive them because it was a long drive. So, we just gave up. We also felt impressed to go to the house of a part member family. The thing about these people tho, is they will invite you in and talk, but skip out on every return appointment and not answer texts. But, we went anyway! Sister Russel was the only one home, along with two of her boys. So, we talked and really got to know her, and found out she loves music! She admitted to us that she really enjoyed having us over, and we are going to eat with her next week!
Now, back to the sad story from yesterday. And, now it is Saturday, the day of miracles!! We woke up at 6:30, and not a minute later the phone goes off! It was our branch president. He said he would take Beth, and her boyfriend Jeff to the baptism, on the condition that they were nice clothes! So, we excitedly texted Beth, and she said that Jeff had some, but she didn't! We said a quick prayer and ran to a closet that had a lot of clothes for old missionaries. Inside, was a box full of clothes that would fit her!! So, we told her to shower and get ready, and we would bring clothes. So, that was awesome! Both of them were able to go! Now, a little about Jeff, he was previously like, never going to church! It was huge that he agreed to go to the baptism! During which, I would occassionally look over, and he was into it! So, while waiting for the newly baptized Sister Yoakum to come back from getting changed, I offered him a Book of Mormon, and he was giddy!! Also, Beth who was previously iffy about setting a date, wrote in her calendar 'my baptism' on February 12th!! We were so happy!! After we dropped Beth and Jeff back off, President Stahle took us out to dinner. While there, he said that when we asked him to come on Friday, his human self told him it was too far, and he was too busy. But, when he woke up on Saturday, Heavenly Father told him that Beth and Jeff needed to go. And they sure did!
On Sunday, we got a blizzard! So, church was cancelled :( We had been asked last minute on Saturday to give talks, and so we no longer needed to give those! we went to the Stahle's, again haha, and had some pancakes and helped them decorate for Christmas! That was fun! After about 3 hours though, we looked out the window and what did we see? A FOOT AND TWO INCHES OF PURE SNOW!!!!! And Oskaloosa does such a fantastic job of snow removal! JK. That was in the middle of the street xD So, we decided to head home, and then we were grounded for the rest of the day, so we decided to do our laundry... However, we didn't have enough quarters to dry our stuff, sooo.... yeah. Picture down below of how crafty we are!
Well, my talk was supposed to be on gratitude, which makes sense because Thanksgiving! So, what I am grateful for... Most of all my Savior, Jesus Christ. I would be lying if I said that being on a mission was easy! But I love this one talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland... He talks about missionary work, but I feel like it can apply to anything. He says, "Missionary work is not easy because Salvation is not a cheap experience! Salvation was never easy! If our Savior could cry in the night, sobbing Aba, Father, Papa, remove this cup from me, then little wonder that it is not a whimsical or easy thing for a missionary."
So, in times of trial, remember that the Lord is there for you! To quote the mission president's wife, "The best way to squash the ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) is to use gratitude"!
Love you all, and have a fantastic week!
