The Week We Became Unified

March 9, 2015

So, we love each other.

If one of us was gone, or someone different took the spot of one of us we would not work. But we work together.

Sister Wonnacott gets her foot in all the conversations and likes to be a part of everything. She is a bit dominating but can see when it's time to step back. She needs lots of love and personal attention but is always looking for ways to serve others. 

Sister Banks is a little more quiet and can sometimes get over-looked but she is a FIERY little Russian girl who loves to dance and the people here love her. 

I can also be dominating, but I mostly mediate and make sure everyone is saying what they need to and try to make sure everyone gets heard. New ideas are always beneficial and I often make dinner.....they call me Mom (not in a derogatory way).

We laugh. Sometimes I think too much, but is there really such a thing as laughing too much? I have never felt this close to a companion, never-mind two, and we've only been together 2 1/2 weeks!

I got invited to this month's Missionary Leadership Conference, and representatives from the Missionary Department in Salt Lake are coming to teach us about "changing the culture of our mission". I'm excited except for the fact that I have to leave at 5:15 am which means waking up even earlier....... But I'm sure it will be worth it. They said it should take from 9-4. That's a long time.

Sister Wonnacott and I hit our 1/2 way mark on the 4th and that was a little weird but still cool. It doesn't feel very fast til 6 months and then it's gone!

We had an investigator come to Stake Conference and then we taught him Friday. He wants to be baptized March 28th. He came to Sacrament meeting (Fast and Testimony meeting) and cried the whole time. When he introduced himself he shared that he was doing whatever it takes to be baptized. He's a pretty special guy. We're excited to see him keep moving forward.

Jeanne is from an Asian country and her husband thinks she's being brain washed. We fasted during the week for her to be able to come to Church and have his heart softened. When she asked him he told her we were trying to guilt trip her into coming to church and said she has to keep her distance. I took this very hard actually. It's pretty much been eating away at me because I was so certain she would be there Sunday. She's letting us come over tomorrow and hopefully it won't be for the last time. I've never met anyone who could comprehend and love everything I've had to teach so quickly. Before we left the lesson last week she asked when we would teach her the commandments that would make her happy.......she's special and it's so sad to see her struggle. I don't know how else to explain about her. I've been really hurting from this.

We're also teaching an awesome lady from Geyana (spelling?). I met her last week and asked her how she feels about everything she's learned so far. She bore her testimony to me for 15 minutes about the Book of Mormon and how it's been the greatest blessing in her life and she loves sharing it with others......but of course she won't be baptized. GUASDIOHAOIGDAHGOKKKK.

Ruth has been meeting with missionaries for YEARS. The Sisters were finally able to get her to agree to the date of April 5 (General Conference...they figured that out after the lesson) but she won't pray about it. She doesn't want to be pressured.....by God?

There are lots of other investigators I haven't met yet. 

It's 60 degrees today. It's LOVELY!!!!!!!!! The snow is melting.

The roads here are TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pot holes like you wouldn't believe. And sometimes you just can't avoid them. Like the one I hit and it broke our hubcap and bent our rim. So we're going to have to get the dumb thing replaced. Which stinks because I'm sure it will happen again.

Seriously the worst.

I learned that our area is the area that gets to go to Pennsylvania!!!!! The little dot of Pennsylvania, but still. And our District Leader is in Maryland, so I should get to go there for a District meeting at some point. In Point Marion, PA there is a bridge that goes to the next town over the big river. If you cross that bridge you are no longer in our mission boundaries. So we obviously drove over, took pictures and came right back!

JUST KIDDING. Grandma. Take a chill pill. As tempting as it was, we were obedient.

Since I've been here, we've eaten at a members home once. And no one is signed up for us this week either. And we have to pay for our laundry out of our budgeted money and it is ridiculously expensive! So, it's been a very costly few weeks here in Morgantown.

Everyone had babies and is getting married. SIGH. 

Newest nephew - Xander Cage Leue!

I'm grateful to those who are waiting for me to get back :) Because I'm sure you're doing it for me right??????????

-Sister Packard

Best:

1. The sunset after all the snow. The pinks and reds against the white were absolutely stunning.

2. Chair soccer with the Elders. Sister Banks just stood there at first, but then she started tackling people. Literally. It was awesome.

3. When you're teaching someone and Heavenly Father tells you
the things are true.

4. Teaching.

5. My companions are such dorks but I love them.

6. Laughter truly is the best medicine.

Worst:

1. When 3 girls get emotional at one time.