Ok! Hello Everyone!
Again, I hope I can answer all of the questions and fill you in as much as possible on all of the goings on. It is absolutely crazy how many things there are to do and say! Crazy! And 26 minutes left! Here we go :)
So first, thank you for getting a package together for me! I would like to request a few more things since we are not near too many places to shop here and I would like to be riding a bike soon- I need more skirts... Long skirts. The members are working on getting bikes for us. So hopefully within the next week we will have those. I will look into a helmet from Walmart. :) Thanks! I can look at Walmart for skirts too- I am not sure how much money is on my card. I spent $100 on a gps (absolutely necessary). Ok, I think that's it! Thanks :)
Alright. So I am in Princeton Kentucky area! It is amazing! It is huge! We cover 5 counties from the top of Kentucky to the bottom. It is the greatest thing ever. Lots of country, small towns, and backwoods type of areas. We have a car but only have 1250 miles a month. It is 40 minutes from two of our most member populated areas. So we have the challenge of figuring out how best to reach everyone and get members involved, etc. There are about 50 active members in our branch. And they are great! The first night we got in our new apartment, about twelve of them came over with a bunch of furniture and food and stuff. They fixed us right up! They haven't had missionaries full-time for about 10 years- so they are SO excited to have us! And they are so grateful to have sisters :) Everyone loves us and it is such a blessing! They are gung-ho and fired up about missionary work.
Everyone here is pretty much Baptist. You get turned away a lot of the time because of that. Other times, you really feel that Southern hospitality. Even if they don't want to listen, they tell you to be safe and that they are grateful for our efforts in spreading the good word. There are a lot of humble people in this area. Lots of missing teeth and overalls :) Ha! It is awesome! The grammar is the best too! "We was going over here. We was doing this and that.." It is hilarious!
Transfers happened on Tuesday. We met in Franklin Tennessee (by the temple). I was also a part of a missionary choir for an interfaith meeting on Tuesday in Elkton Kentucky (another small town). So we drove there after transfers. That was a cool experience. Little tasty-taste of Baptist and Methodist music. I loved it! Wednesday, Sister Hill and I had our full day together. We spent the first few hours driving :) Sister Hill is AWESOME!!! I love her! We are laughing all of the time. She is bold and unafraid to knock doors and bear her testimony. We are just great friends already. I am so blessed to be serving with her :) She is from the middle of Oregon. Purdy cool!
What else... so we don't really have a teaching pool. We have only a few names in the area book to start with. Fortunately there are a lot of part member families and things of that nature. There are a TON of less-actives however. In part due to the distance to and from the church building. We have a lot of work to do- a work that I adore and love. I haven't felt so happy my whole mission! The challenges and the rewards are so different and so great. It is like a fresh bed of snow and we are the first to walk through it. We have to tread lightly and carefully to set the stage for those who come after. What a blessing and privilege it is to have the trust of the Lord in this great endeavor. We are seeing miracles and we will be seeing a lot more. We have set a goal to have 12 new investigators this week. Through faith and a lot of tracting we are gonna make it happen! Baptize Everyone! Haha! I love missionary work :)
I am so happy to receive y'alls letters and emails :) I just love my family and friends and everyone who has supported me and helped me get here to this wonderful place. It is through faith in God and obedience to the little things that we begin to see our lives come to more fulfillment and feel more joy. Oh my goodness! We went to see a member's mother in a rehab nursing home last night. She was great! As we were walking out there was this adorable little old lady. She was just so sweet and glowing sittin there in her little wheelchair. We talked to her and gave her a Book of Mormon. We gave her a hug and in her sweet little voice she said, "Love you both!" She was darling! There are so many good people all around us. Never be blind to stopping for just a moment and glorying in God's love together. That is the best way to feel God's love- through others. And as a missionary we get that opportunity every day, every hour. It is such a blessing and a privilege. God is good!
I love you all so much! Have an amazing week! I can't wait to hear from you again :)
Love always,
Sister Alicia Johnson of the Princeton Kentucky mission area
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