You are going to be shocked about the news of this week.... I know because I am still in shock about the situation. I got a call on Tuesday night at 9pm from President McKee. "You are getting transferred to Bowling Green Kentucky tomorrow at 9 in the morning."
Wow! Ok... Man alive! So I have been out on my mission for a grand total of 9 weeks. This is my third area, third companion, and third zone. I had three weeks with Sister Hill opening Princeton. Now I am whitewashing an area with Sister Thulasidass. Sister Thulasidass is- you will never guess- from India! She is a Temple Square missionary. She has been serving her mission for 11 months. As part of the Temple Square sister's missions, they proselyte for three to four months. So... Lo and behold, I am with a new companion, in an area that is SO different from my last.
Do you remember when I thought I was going to serve my mission in India? I had an experience at Utah State where the Spirit powerfully witnessed to me that I needed to serve a mission and it was connected with India. Well, I didn't get called to India, but now I have an Indian companion 9 weeks into my mission. Chance? I think not. The Lord has been preparing this companionship for years. I am now just learning to cope with cultural differences, but thanks to that witness that I had years back, I know that there is some great importance in this call. I can only imagine what President McKee felt when he received that revelation... but he is so trusting in the Lord and he has truly been an anchor in this entire situation. It is amazing how the adversary likes to creep in and try to make you believe you can't do it. It hits me every morning. But I have found that the areas where I lacked in my last two areas have been strengthened immensely. Talking to people? Not a big deal. I thought I would never like tracting. It's a breeze. Teaching? Still needs work, but it is progressively getting better. Missionary work is difficult- when you rely upon your own capabilities. I am giving it to the Lord. I am trusting that He knows much better than I do.
Wow! Ok... Man alive! So I have been out on my mission for a grand total of 9 weeks. This is my third area, third companion, and third zone. I had three weeks with Sister Hill opening Princeton. Now I am whitewashing an area with Sister Thulasidass. Sister Thulasidass is- you will never guess- from India! She is a Temple Square missionary. She has been serving her mission for 11 months. As part of the Temple Square sister's missions, they proselyte for three to four months. So... Lo and behold, I am with a new companion, in an area that is SO different from my last.
Do you remember when I thought I was going to serve my mission in India? I had an experience at Utah State where the Spirit powerfully witnessed to me that I needed to serve a mission and it was connected with India. Well, I didn't get called to India, but now I have an Indian companion 9 weeks into my mission. Chance? I think not. The Lord has been preparing this companionship for years. I am now just learning to cope with cultural differences, but thanks to that witness that I had years back, I know that there is some great importance in this call. I can only imagine what President McKee felt when he received that revelation... but he is so trusting in the Lord and he has truly been an anchor in this entire situation. It is amazing how the adversary likes to creep in and try to make you believe you can't do it. It hits me every morning. But I have found that the areas where I lacked in my last two areas have been strengthened immensely. Talking to people? Not a big deal. I thought I would never like tracting. It's a breeze. Teaching? Still needs work, but it is progressively getting better. Missionary work is difficult- when you rely upon your own capabilities. I am giving it to the Lord. I am trusting that He knows much better than I do.
We have already had an incredible experience. We had NO investigators when we got here. Not a one. We went to the Walmart on our first day- since we also didn't have any food. While there, a woman approached us. She has been taught by missionaries before and she is ready to be baptized. Four hours in the area! The Lord works in mysterious ways. We just need to teach her all of the lessons and actually commit her to a date. She even came to church yesterday and witnessed a baptism and confirmation. Miracle!
So a little bit about this area. It is a very culturally diverse area. We have 5 sets of missionaries here now and two wards. There is a set of senior missionaries, another sister set, a spanish speaking elder set and a swahili speaking elder set. Yes! Swahili! We have large groups of people that have immigrated from Tanzania or Swahili or something. There is a Hispanic community, a black community, Southern Baptist white community, muslims, rednecks- you name it, it's here! It is a pretty large city and there are people EVERYWHERE! We went to a find a less-active member the other night in an apartment complex and ended up with two new investigators that were walking outside.
What else can I tell you about? I smell delightful! (But not really...) My companion cooked onions the other day and the whole apartment reeked of them. From my last area, all of everything I own was permeated with the delightful smell of smoke from the neighbors who lived below us. And then the other day we went to a less-active members trailer home that had a delightful smell that also permeated my clothes! So the other night, I smelled like the delicious smell of smoke, onions, and dirty trailer. What a thrill! I hope it doesn't scare new investigators away...
Oh boy! I love my family dearly. I am so happy that everyone is doing well. Mel! My companion likes Indian food! You totally work at an Indian restaurant! Cool :) We have things in common :) How are the mission papers going? Any news yet? PS- My companion used to be Hindu. She is a convert of 5 years. There are 10,000 members of the church in India out of 14 billion people that live there. You should convert your boss, Johnny! It can be done. :)
Dad, I love your emails. :) You are so silly! I try calling you everyday and you never answer! You need to come here. It already feels like spring. And not even a little bit of snow! Pretty great. I am so jealous you get to do taxes. Gosh golly that sounds like SO much fun! Guess what? I love you MORE!!! You didn't send me any Valentines cards... but a 6 year old gave me a lollipop with a rose on it. Aw.... my Valentine!
Mom, I love the picture of Joe! You should mail him to me so that he can visit Kentucky. Oh the places Joe'll go! I like the pics of Jaron and Taryn too... CUTE! They are getting married... and stuff! (for Melanie- that one kid with the flavr savr that I can't think of his name. Jenni loves him. Bleached hair. Oh! Dan Curtis!)
Jaron, I am excited for you and Taryn! I sure love you both!
Zach, same story kid. I sure love you :) You like Indian food too!
Grandma Janet, thank you for your emails! I have been getting them and I love hearing from you. In the strength of the Lord we can do ALL things. What a beautiful blessing! And what a wonderful blessing we have the gospel and our families to strengthen us. I sure love you!
Well, I am about out of things to say. I love you all. I am truly very blessed to have so much love and support from God's greatest blessing- my wonderful family. It is so wonderfuly that I can testify of the love of God because of the love I feel from you. Thanks for your emails!! Have a fantastic, fun-filled, muddy week! God is good. :)
LOL (lots of love),
Sister Alicia Johnson of the Bowling Green Kentucky 2nd Ward in the Tennessee Nashville Mission
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