The Week of Arranged Marriages, and a Baptism!

October 13, 2014

It is cold and rainy and wonderful! The leaves changing is probably the coolest thing ever and just makes me that much more determined to live here one day (sorry Mom, but yes I want to live out here). I'm adjusting to the weather and the need for boots and a real winter/rain coat. You can't rock flats here. 

I finally got to have a Doctors appointment this past week and this is what I learned. I have the rockin Packard sinuses times 10. So my sinuses are just completely closed off and I'm getting headaches from that, which are turning into migraines. Solution? Nasal spray and allergy medication (I'm really cool like that). Results from said medication? HIVES. For the first time in my life. Miserable. I'll have to just accept the pain and get over it I guess because I'm obviously not meant to get better. I'll just be that missionary that's sick their whole mission.

Let's talk about people in Pulaski County shall we?

KATHY IS BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!! Oh she is just so excited! In the bathroom before going in the font she grabbed my face in her hands and pulled me close to say, "This is all because of you. Thank you thank you thank you thank you." And then she kissed me on the cheek. Ray and Dylan were just bawling (Ray because of joy, Dylan because he's not 8 and can't be baptized yet). 

Then she received the Holy Ghost yesterday during testimony meeting and Dylan had me go up with him to bear his testimony. 

"I'm so proud of my mom being baptized and that we know this is the true church, because it is! And if you don't know it? (looks at the crowd condescendingly)" 

He went on and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. I can't adequately express how close to the Spirit this child is. After teaching about temples he prayed that when he went with his mom and dad he would feel the arms of those who have died hugging him in the temple. I will cry when I can't go with them when they're sealed. But they promised to come when I get married so I guess I'll have to take what I can.

We're still working with Sandra and trying to help her understand the importance of being baptized by the proper authority, but the poor thing has been so sick we haven't seen her in a long time.

Bobbie Sue finally got a job! But of course it's a weekend job and we don't know when she'll be able to come to church again. We pray for her so often because she's already going inactive and we hate that! It's hard because it feels like we didn't do enough or aren't to keep her coming to church.

Michele has been very sick as well so we haven't been able to see her in a while, but Thursday was Jo's birthday so we're going over this week with his present and a treat.

Roxy came to church with sweet 2 week old Preston and we've visited with her several times this week. She is a wonderful mother and that sweet boy just kills me. I just sit with my face right next to him and use all my will power to not scoop him up and love on him. Scott is still working like crazy but we're hoping he'll move up in management soon or something will change so he can be coming to church again. 

Juniper is still set to be baptized the 25th! She's got one more lesson and she's ready to go. It just kills me because if I get transferred out it will be on the 23rd and I'll just miss it, and that would be hard.

All right, arranged marriages. I've got 2 offers from members in the Ward for their sons. One is 33 and working on his Masters. The other is 24 and comes with a dowry of a life-time supply of cheese slaw (spicy cheese dip deliciousness). Then they found out they both were offering their sons and the offers and incentives have gotten better and better each week. It's good to know they love me enough to want me in their family forever. I really do want to move back to this Ward. It's killing me to know I'm going to have to leave at some point.

I miss you all a whole lot! The Gospel is true. And sometimes I think the best part of being a missionary is being able to see how much it's the member's duty to do missionary work, and missionaries are just their to help them. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. And I never realized that, or had any idea how to be an everyday missionary til being out here. It's amazing to see how much you really can do.

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. Teaching about Eternal families to a family who wants nothing more than to be Eternal!

2. Rain!

3. Chinese food. Enough for 6 people. For just Sister Wahlin and I :)

4. Red trees. They're wonderful.

Worst:

1. Migraines.

2. I'm always so cold!!! I used to always be the one giving off body heat and being too warm. Now my hands are always cold.

3. I might be leaving next week........