Week 16 - January 13, 2020

I am not in St. Johns anymore- Dorothy!!

I made it to Tally safe and sound!  Leaving St. Johns had to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do!  Honestly, my heart just hurt...and it still kinda does.  St. Johns just felt like home...but God knew I was too comfortable and he knew I could do more.  So, I am putting all my trust in the Lord as I am adjusting to this new change. 

Hello, Tallahassee!

I am, also, convinced that I had world's best trainer.  Man, is Sister Johnson a fireball...that women is going places, lemme tell ya!  No joke!  Sister Johnson and I became best friends in the three speedy months we spent together.  I would never take any of it back.  All the tears we cried, steps taken, laughter shared, Spirit felt, awkward miles ran, amazing moments we spent together, were some of my favorite moments I have ever shared in my 19 1/2 years of life. Through all these moments, we put all our trust in the Savior, and we drew nearer to him because of it.

My new companion is Sister Reno!  She grew up outside of Philly!  She is the biggest basketball fan...not gonna lie.  I'm very proud of myself..because I actually know most of the players she talks about!!  Shout out to Kevdog (my dad) for the basketball jerseys in the basement!!  Sister Reno has the most loving heart and the most beautiful hair.  She makes everyone around her feel like a million bucks.  I already know that we are going to kill it this transfer in Tally!

YUM!

"I am not in (St. Johns) anymore"-Dorothy...Wizard of Oz.

Tally is nothing like I expected it to be...there are a lot of large canopy roads (which are beautiful), lots of steep hills, thee most beautiful red brick buildings (which I am actually obsessed with), lots of friendly people, and lots of lessons and humility that I still need to learn.  I don't know if you know this...but St. Johns is known to be the wealthiest county of all of Florida...so pretty much I was straight up living in luxury. Well, Tallahassee is no longer that luxury living.  It's crazy because in our area we will have people who live in trailer parks and then a block down the road there will be beautiful million dollar homes!  There is definitely a wide variety here!!

Also, I have the best news ever...do you remember Lowell-- the old man who we wrote his life story??  Well, there is an assisted living center in my new area in Tally!  Sister Reno and I are hoping to start a writing class there!!  Miracles...lemme tell ya!

I have had some pretty hilarious experiences here in Tallahassee already!  We gave Valentino (a ward member's new dog) a bath!  I'm sure he is going to hate us forever...poor thing was traumatized!  But, don't even worry-- the ward member already gave the dog back.  

Also, another funny story...we were visiting a less-active member yesterday.  We were just standing outside her back porch talking to her through the screen door...we had been talking to her for about 30 minutes and I knew the conversation wasn't ending anytime soon!  I had to go to the bathroom soooo badly!  Bad enough that I asked this lady if I could use her restroom.  She let us in!  (Great way to get inside someone's house BTW!)  Anyway, turns out that the bathroom door doesn't close!  So, there I was in a random lady's house just going to the bathroom with the door wide open!  Don't you worry--it was casual...Welcome to Tallahassee!

Yesterday...I was a little discouraged--not gonna lie!  And I was a little disappointed!  I was disappointed with the members in this ward and their arms to make me feel welcomed.  But, it made me think that we are all going through something...immediately my mind turned to ministering.  "Just love these people and they will love you back."

What is ministering?

Ministering is doing the Lord's work.  We represent Jesus Christ and act as his agents to watch over, lift, and strengthen those around us!! (Matthew 25:40)

Jean B. Bingham, reminded us that Jesus "also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave.  He served family and friends, neighbors, and strangers alike.  He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel.  Those 'simple' acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland exhorted, "In spite of what we all feel are our limitations and inadequacies--and we all have challenges--nevertheless, may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers, providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees.  If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be."

That is something I wanna be better at.  I want to be the best disciple of Jesus Christ I can possibly be.  By loving his children and serving them, I am becoming more like the Savior!!

Pics of the Week

1.  idk why I even do my hair anymore