We met with Dennis and Pam 3
times this week to make sure they were doing ok. We got to watch The
Restoration with both of them and they were both more and more excited every
time we saw them. It's interesting because I think I mentally group them together
so often because they got baptized on the same day and they both accept
EVERYTHING, no questions asked. They've been great examples of faith to me.
But
this week it was very clear how different they are. Dennis truly delves into
the scriptures and wants to understand every single detail. For example, he
explained to us in Gospel Principles why the Priesthoods have different names,
what the role of each one is, how they're used, etc. Pam quietly observes and
soaks in little bits of information at a time. But they were both baptized
yesterday!
But before that story, they
did the coolest thing in Relief Society as part of the lesson. It was focused
on a BYU-Idaho devotional by Elder Gay. We talked about reaching out to others
in love and how we let our "lights" shine. Then (with Pam's
permission) they put her in the front of the room and talked about how she'll
need extra light from others as she starts this new journey. Then they gave
everyone time to bear their testimony to her about the blessings they've seen
in their lives from being a member of Christ's church. It was awesome. You
could feel their love fill the room and it was all for her. What a powerful
experience for them to bond together as Sisters! That Relief Society President,
she gets it.
Dennis went first and kept his
eyes closed tight the whole time. He was scared of 17 year old Landon not
getting him back up :) Pam only has one leg so she sat on the floor of the font
and Brother Casto kneeled behind her. She was cool as a cucumber and was glowing.
She loved the warm water :) It was a great service. About half the Ward stayed
after church to participate and support the newest members. They'll both be
confirmed and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost next week during Sacrament
meeting
We met Michelle while walking
around the city of Nitro this week. Her little daughter ran up to us with the
biggest smile on her face and we just started talking. She lives with her Mom
and there's always people running in and out of the house. So we're excited to
see her tomorrow night and begin teaching her.
We're also really excited for
another lesson tomorrow night with Tammy. The Assistants to President Salisbury
found her and taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel, put her on date
to be baptized on June 28th, then realized she's actually in our area not
theirs. She has an 8 year old daughter (who is apparently adorable) and we
get to meet them tonight! With the A.P.s. We're both slightly nervous to teach
with them, but it'll be great! We get to hassle them for "poaching"
in our area, but they also handed us a super awesome investigator who wants to
be baptized so.......no complaints.
Who else? None of our other
investigators seemed to be able to meet with us this week. People have gotten
so busy! And they work crazy night shift schedules that make it (seemingly)
impossible to meet with them.
We had an awesome Zone Meeting
this week and our Zone is huge. They combined the Charleston Zone and the
Parkersburg Zone to make one big Charleston Zone. Usually each Stake has 2
Zones, but they put us all together (don't ask me why). It's fun to see so many
missionaries at one time though.
We talked a lot about cleanliness and making
sure our apartments are clean and neat. Sister Campbell and I have been working
on it the past few weeks and still are no where near clean enough. Missionaries
have been living there since 1999! There's holes. The walls are nasty and we're
really hoping we'll get to re-paint them. We've been going through and doing a
VERY deep clean. But we keep getting hornets and wasps in our apartment. The
air conditioner sits in a hole under the window and it's too small so things
crawl in.........yikes.
So when I was really little
jolly ranchers were grape, lemon, watermelon, cherry, and green apple. At some
point (for no reason) they stopped making my favorite flavor, lemon, and
started making blue raspberry instead. I've always murmured about this. It irks
me. Lemon was the best flavor. WHY DID THEY TAKE THEM AWAY! Well, this week my
soul was satisfied as I found a bag of LEMON FLAVORED JOLLY
RANCHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I freaked out. Sister Campbell thought I was crazy.
I am. The Lord provided us many miracles this week, but this might have been
his tenderest of mercies.
Mom's been hounding me about
what the area is like and landscape and stuff so I took some pictures.
Everything is so green. There are so many trees.
Sometimes people think I'm too
trunky. Sometimes people think I'm too emotional through my letters. Sometimes
people really like my letters because they're "real". I try my best.
Be patient. But I promise you all. I am trunky. Sorry. I miss you all and I
can't wait to come home! But at the same time, I've never been so focused
on the work and NOT on going home. These past few weeks have been
great as I've really been praying for opportunities to earn the Lord's trust.
He's giving it. We've been so busy there has not been a moment to even fancy
about home. It's been pretty great. Because you guys at home are so distracting
sometimes.
Love you all. Don't do dumb.
-Sister Packard
Best:
1. When an Elder tells you
about his companion being constipated........yikes.
2. Lemon jolly ranchers. DUH!
3. Dennis and Pam are awesome.
4. Many miracles this week.
Worst:
1. Sometimes I feel like the
worst missionary in the world!
2. I was in the bathroom
trying to get out (the door ALWAYS gets stuck). I pulled off the door
handle...........Sister Campbell had to save me. Then a few hours later we got
stuck in someone's house because the handle got stuck. I've got bad luck with
doors apparently
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