Hey there! I can't believe September is almost over!! Time is moving SO fast! I know that I still have some time left on my mission but I am closer now to the end than the beginning... and that is starting to scare me a little bit. I have really finally come to a point where I LOVE my mission and all that it brings. I am happy with the work and the people and the gospel and everything. I don't really want to leave! But I only have 5 transfers left... I NEVER thought I would get to this point. And things are challenging in a different way now. I have a new companion and all of the missionaries that played an important role in the beginning of my mission are gone or beginning to leave. My friends are all leaving... It makes it more of a reality that at some point I am going to be leaving as well... But I am eternally grateful for the time I have had and will continue to have. The Lord isn't done with me yet! I have a lot more growing to do :)
So... Sister Munafo is gone. I really felt like I was losing a part of myself when she was leaving. I cried hard.... but I knew that I had to be strong for my new companion. I know what it feels like to be new and having a companion that is invested in YOU is so important. I can't look back (I will turn into a pillar of salt!), instead I have to move forward with faith and begin a new chapter of new miracles.
My new companion's name is Sister Hadfield. Small world- ready? She is from Driggs, Idaho. Yep. She is 19 so she knew of Michael and Marissa but wasn't close to them. Also, she went to hair school in Rexburg Idaho with my dear Sister Munafo. Small world! She is awesome. I can't believe what the Lord is trusting these new missionaries with. She decided to put in her papers, got her call within a week and half, went to the MTC 7 weeks later and was only in the MTC for 12 days before being flown into the mission field. She hasn't had much time to process all of the changes- so a lot of the things that I had to overcome in the MTC will have to be overcome here in the field. It blows my mind a little bit- but it just makes me realize how much trust the Lord has in her and in me. My dreams of teaching in the MTC have become a reality in many ways with training. It is a similar experience.
The great thing is she loves the investigators we have and, like Mom said, we already HAVE investigators which is a huge blessing. I always think I am pretty good at dealing with change but sometimes there is so much to take in that processing takes a while and it is harder to be happy. That is one of my goals for this transfer- to BE HAPPY and grateful for everything that comes our way. We really want to get these people progressing towards baptism. There is SO much potential in this area, we just need to start pushing a little harder and working a little harder. Bellevue hasn't had a baptism in over a year! It's definitely time.
It is already getting colder here too. I think I notice it more because we are out in it more. I can't believe it either! Seriously... time is moving too fast. I am really excited for General Conference! We have several of our important investigators planning on watching it. I can't wait. It is like the super bowl for missionaries! Haha! Only too true :) I can't believe that Russell is coming home already too! Has it really been 2 years?!? Wow! And Mel!!! I am so excited that things are so close! She could be like Sister Hadfield- or it will be more like me and be a 4 month wait. Who knows? I am excited.
I love the work. I love the gospel. This is the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. I love being around people and watching them learn and accept the most important message in the entire world. God lives. He loves us. He has restored His truth to the earth and the Book of Mormon gives us this truth. It is so beautiful and it has truly changed me. I love you all so much and pray that you have a blessed week!!!
LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!
Sister Alicia Johnson
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