Another week in the good old mission field. A lot of changes have been happening the last few days and unfortunately, I won't have a much to talk about this week because that is just how things happen during Transfer week.
| Sister Munoz and Sister Kylie |
So, after getting the call, I quickly started to see people and say goodbyes. I did a few final lessons, called up some members and ran around trying to fit the accumulating pile of clothes in 3 suitcases and clean. I don't think that I ever stopped to take a breath from Monday to Wednesday. Crazy Crazy. I am thankful for my time down in the Owego Zone.. I loved it! :)
Another cool thing that happened this week is that I finished reading through the Book of Mormon and highlighted any reference to Christ. I did it in 4 months to complete the challenge from President Rogers. First time in my entire life that I read the whole Book of Mormon and didn't miss a single word. (Ya, I admit that I skipped the Isaiah Chapters before.) I was the most through study and I loved it. I love the Book of Mormon.
Wednesday was spent driving from the southern tier to the north country... nothing like 7 hours of driving. Woop woop! I then got to meet Karena, an investigator in Potsdam and she is pretty cool. She struggles with her life and being a single parent with a highly autistic child. We also met the Branch Mission Leader and had coordination meeting and got to meet a few of the branch members. We have a mid sized branch... like around 70-90 people.
| My new companion... Sister Geary |
Since then, I have been transitioning. I am trying to learn my new area, see a few of our investigators and such. Due to Spring Break problems, I haven't met them all yet. However, I did get to met Nancy and Brother Al Mathie. He looks like "Wreck it Ralph" with a backwoods kinda fair. He wants to be a member and we just have to help him marry his LA girlfriend. We will see what happens :P I met Anita and she is adorable and has been taught all of the lessons, She also needs to get married to her boyfriend of 20 years. I also met Ray and Ann. They are the only recent re-activations in our area. The just talk and talk and talk. We taught about family history and the lesson went for an hour and a half. Ray started crying when he found out that he previously had done his father's temple work before going less active a few years ago. We also teach this 11 year old named Brandi who is the daughter of a less active. Well, she is quite funny and full of energy, and as been taught on and off for the last year or two. Unfortunately, she does not have permission to be baptized until she is older. However, I do have a testimony of baptizing people that have support systems and the ability to be old enough to not be swayed by those who have responsibility over them. So.. seed planted. We also have a few others, but I am still trying to learn who they are and how to get to see where their hearts really are.
We have a lot of finding to do in the future. However, a lot has already been done with not much luck. The Catholic Church is the most prevalent than any other place I have been in. Catholics make good Mormons, they just have to be willing to first listen, and then change. Very hard combo to have. Many people have either talked to so many missionaries that they are sick of us, or they think we are JW's and won't even shake your hand. I have had a few people already just see the name tag and run away in fear. It is a little unsettling. But we have also gotten in with a few others through tracting and at least they let us in and listened once. I think we are going to have to do more on the outskirts of town to find more. #Farmers4dayz. I have also seen a lot of Amish up here too. I need to brush up on my Dutch.
We also have the area of Canton in our area. It is a little college town. Not very open either, but they are funny. I tried to OYM this lady from Montreal, and she also ran away. But, at least I got her to laugh. It is the only thing you can do in that situation. Also, street contacted this man named Larry on the street. He said he would read the Book of Mormon and also had this beard that touched his belly button... and I thought Jim's was bad. haha
On Easter, we went to Church. We taught 2 lessons that day and also had Easter dinner at the Pittmans. They set up an Easter Egg hunt, so I thought that was really fun. I found 14 eggs and I had to beat the Elders. We do have some really great Elders in the Ward, and we have a District of 3 companionships--Norwood, Potsdam and Ogdensberg. So small, but we will get to know each other pretty well.
Also got to know about Church History in Potsdam. Did you know that Joseph Smith's Grandfather and uncles are from the Potsdam area and many converted and started the Kirtland settlement. Just more and more Church History roots. :)
I know that the Church is true, and that the Book of Mormon is also true.
Love you all,
Sister Kylie Williams







